Running out of storage in your Google account is common. Photos, emails, and files add up fast. The good news is that there are clear ways to get more space or clean up what you already have. This guide keeps things simple and practical.
Why Google Storage Fills Up Quickly
Your Google account comes with 15GB of free storage. This space is shared across:
- Gmail
- Google Drive
- Google Photos
Large email attachments, backups, and high-quality photos are usually the main reason for storage issues.
Method 1: Buy More Storage With Google One (Paid Option)
The fastest way to get extra space is a Google One plan. It replaces the free 15GB with higher limits.
Google One Storage Plans
- 100GB
- 200GB
- 2TB
- Up to 30TB for heavy users
You can also share the plan with up to five people in your family group.
How to Upgrade Storage
On desktop
- Visit one.google.com/storage
- Pick a plan
- Complete payment
On Android
- Open the Google Drive app
- Tap Menu → Settings
- Choose Upgrade storage
This option suits users who store many photos, videos, or work files.
Method 2: Free Up Space Without Paying (Free Option)
If you do not want to spend money, cleaning up your account works well.
Use Google Storage Manager
Go to the storage management page. It helps you:
- Delete large files
- Clear spam and trash
- Review old backups
This saves time by showing what uses the most space.
Empty Trash and Spam
Files in Trash still count until removed for good.
- Open Gmail → Empty Spam and Trash
- Open Google Drive → Empty Bin
- Open Google Photos → Empty Trash
This step alone can recover several GB.
Compress Photos and Videos
High-quality uploads take more space.
How to change photo size
- Open Google Photos settings
- Select Storage saver
- Existing photos and videos get compressed
Visual quality stays good for most people, while storage use drops.
Find and Delete Large or Duplicate Files
In Google Drive:
- Use the search bar
- Filter by file size
- Remove old or repeated files
This helps spot forgotten folders and backups.
Transfer File Ownership
Shared files where you are the owner still use your storage.
- Transfer ownership to another user
- The file stops counting toward your limit
This is useful for shared work folders.
Which Option Is Best for You?
- Light users: Clean up emails, trash, and photos
- Photo and video users: Switch to Storage saver
- Heavy users: Buy a Google One plan
You can mix both paid and free steps for better results.
FAQs
How much free storage does a Google account get?
Every account starts with 15GB shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.
Does deleting emails free storage right away?
Yes, but only after you empty the Trash folder.
Do compressed photos look bad?
For daily viewing, quality stays fine. Most users do not notice a big change.
Can I share Google One storage?
Yes. You can share with up to five people using family sharing.
Will shared files count toward my storage?
Only if you are the owner. Transferring ownership removes them from your quota.
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