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You can easily empty the trash on your Android device using the relevant app. To do this, go to the trash section of the app and select the “Empty” or “Delete” option. This will quickly free up space for new data on your smartphone.
Emptying the Android trash: step-by-step instructions
The trash for photos and files is now standard on many Android devices – especially since Android 11 and with the pre-installed file managers. However, the system does not have a central recycle bin for the entire system. Instead, individual apps such as “Google Photos,” “Files,” “Gallery,” or “Gmail” each have their own recycle bins. To free up storage space, you should empty these recycle bins regularly.
- Google Photos: Open the Google Photos app. Tap “Gallery” or ‘Collections’ at the bottom and select “Trash.” Tap “Empty Trash” and confirm with “Delete.” This will permanently remove all items in the trash.
- Files/Google Files: Open the Google Files app. Open the menu (three lines in the top left corner) and select “Trash.” Select individual or all items. Tap “Delete” to permanently remove the files.
- Gallery app (e.g., Samsung): Open the gallery app. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select “Trash.” Here you will see all deleted photos and videos. Select “Empty” to completely delete the trash.
- Gmail: Open the Gmail app. Tap on the three lines in the top left corner and select “Trash.” Delete the desired emails there or empty the entire trash.
- Deleted items usually remain in the trash for 30 to 60 days and are then automatically removed. By emptying it manually, you speed up this process and immediately free up storage space. If you want to free up storage space, it’s also a good idea to regularly clear your cache and delete unnecessary files.
Trash isn’t working: Here’s what you can do
If the trash on your Android device isn’t working as expected, you can try the following steps:
- Check where the trash can is displayed: Android often manages trash cans on an app-specific basis, for example in the gallery app or in the “My Files” app. Deleted images usually end up in the Gallery trash, while deleted documents can be found in the “My Files” trash. Therefore, check both locations when searching for deleted files. In some cases, there is no central trash can for all file types. Photos and videos are usually managed in the Gallery app, while other files are managed in “My Files.”
- Check the trash can in the Gallery app: Open the Gallery app. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select “Recycle Bin.” All recently deleted images and videos will be displayed here. You can either restore them or delete them permanently. If the Recycle Bin is empty even though you have deleted images, check whether the Recycle Bin is enabled in the Gallery app settings.
- Check the Recycle Bin in “My Files”: Open the “My Files” app. Navigate to the Recycle Bin. Here you will find deleted documents, provided this feature is enabled and the files have not been deleted for more than 30 days. You can select the files and either restore them or delete them permanently.
- Check settings: Make sure that the Recycle Bin function has not been disabled in the respective apps (on Samsung devices, it can no longer be disabled from One UI 6.0 onwards). Check under “Settings > Storage” or “Settings > Device maintenance > Storage management > Trash“ to see if deleted files are displayed there.
- Special features and tips: Files deleted directly from the file browser are often removed immediately and irrevocably and do not appear in the trash. The ”Files by Google” app also has its own trash can, which you can access via the three-bar menu. Deleted files remain stored in most recycle bins for 30 days before they are permanently deleted.
Comprehensive protection for deleted files on Android
If you want more comprehensive protection for deleted files on your Android device, there are various alternatives and additional solutions available in addition to the classic trash can apps.
- Dumpster: This app automatically saves deleted files (photos, videos, PDFs) and allows direct recovery within the app. With the premium version, you also get cloud backups, which is especially helpful if you lose your device. However, the free version contains ads.
- Recycle Bin: A simple, completely free solution that sends deleted files to the recycle bin and allows them to be restored if necessary. However, problems can arise with larger files such as videos, and ads are ubiquitous.
- DiskDigger: Particularly suitable for recovering photos, but (in the Pro version) also searches for other file types. Without root access, however, recovery options are limited.
- Recycle Master: Another popular alternative that first moves deleted files to its own recycle bin before they are permanently deleted. The time period until final deletion can be set individually.
- Modern file managers such as “File Manager+” or “Cx File Explorer” provide access to the system-wide “Trash” directory of Android 11 and newer. This allows deleted files to be managed and recovered across apps. However, please note that not all apps are compatible with the Android trash can, so some data will still be deleted immediately.
- In addition to virus protection, many security apps also offer privacy and theft protection features that allow you to control access to sensitive data. Examples: AVG Antivirus offers app lock, photo vault, cloud backup, and malware protection. Avira Security Antivirus & VPN protects against viruses, phishing, and ransomware, but also offers a VPN for anonymous surfing and privacy protection.
- 360 Total Security combines virus protection, theft protection, and app lock, monitors app permissions, and protects against phishing while browsing. Sophos Intercept X for Mobile is considered particularly reliable, is free, and has little impact on system performance.
- To best prevent accidental data loss and unauthorized access, we recommend a combination of a specialized trash can app (e.g., Dumpster or Recycle Master) for recovering deleted files, a security app with privacy features (e.g., AVG, Avira, or Sophos), and optionally a file manager with trash can access for a system-wide overview.
- This ensures that your data is not only protected against accidental deletion, but also comprehensively secured against malware, phishing, and unauthorized access.
