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Amazon Photos is a convenient way to store your snaps in the cloud without cluttering your local storage. It’s easy to use, features an intuitive interface, and offers many in-built options.
However, you only receive 5GB of storage space (unless you’re a Prime member). While this is enough for some, you may need a bit more space to keep track of your photos and videos, which is where emptying the Trash comes in. When you empty the Trash folder, you’ll create additional space for all your files.
Clearing the Trash folder in Amazon Photos is relatively simple regardless of whether you use a PC or a mobile device.
How to Empty the Trash in Amazon Photos on a PC
If you have a Prime account, Amazon Photos offers unlimited storage for photos. But you receive only 5GB storage for videos without a Prime account. If you’re running low on space and wondering how you can make extra space for a few more videos, you should consider emptying the Trash folder. It could contain some unnecessary video files that are hogging storage space. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open your preferred web browser and head to the Amazon Photos page.
- Tap the small Trash icon to open the folder.
- Go through the photos and videos and decide which files you want to delete.
- Select the unnecessary files and choose the “Permanently Delete” option in the upper part of the screen.
- Hit the “Delete” button to confirm your decision.
Note that you can’t recover permanently deleted files using Amazon Drive or Amazon Photos. Before emptying the folder, make sure you haven’t accidentally files you want to keep.
Another thing you should remember is that the Trash folder automatically wipes all files after 30 days. You can either wait for this period to elapse or use the above method to free up storage. Of course, always check the folder to ensure you haven’t accidentally marked important files as “Trash.”
Since Amazon Photos reserves unlimited photo storage for Prime members only, other users receive 5GB of space for videos and images. If you notice you’re running low on GBs, the simplest way to resolve the issue is by deleting files in the Trash folder. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Open your web browser and go to the Amazon Photos website.
- Choose the trash can-shaped icon to bring up the Trash folder.
- Examine the files to see which ones you wish to delete.
- Tap the appropriate pictures and videos and select “Permanently Delete” in the top section of the interface.
- Press “Delete” to confirm the action.
Once you delete files in the Trash folder on Amazon Photos, you won’t be able to retrieve them. So, select the files carefully to avoid wiping valuable information. Remember that the Trash folder preserves files for 30 days. After this period, it automatically empties itself. It’s best to periodically check the Trash folder to ensure you don’t lose files you want to keep.
How to Empty the Trash in Amazon Photos on an iPhone
In addition to developing a fairly responsive site, Amazon Photos has released a mobile app that works well on iOS devices. Although the app allows users to delete photos and videos, this action only sends files to the Trash folder without permanently wiping them. You have two ways of permanently deleting files on Amazon Photos. You can wait 30 days until the Trash folder empties itself. Or you can manually delete files.
Here’s what Prime members need to do to delete files from the Trash folder on an iPhone:
- Launch the Amazon Photos app from the home screen.
- Choose the album view and click the small “Trash” icon to access the folder.
- Go through the files and tap the image and videos you want to delete.
- Select the “Delete” option.
Because you can’t restore permanently deleted files, make sure you’ve selected the appropriate images and videos.
If you’re using the app without a Prime membership, you can still empty the Trash folder and free up your storage. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Open the app and enable the album view.
- Press the small Trash icon to bring up the folder.
- Carefully examine the photos and videos and select the files you wish to permanently delete.|
- Click the “Delete” button.
Although manually emptying the Trash folder is the quickest method to get extra storage, the app clears the folder every 30 days. So, you should check the folder every two weeks to see whether you want to save some of the files inside. Once the app wipes them from the Trash folder, you’ll have no way of restoring them.
How to Empty the Trash in Amazon Photos on an Android
The Amazon Photos app is compatible with Android devices, so Prime members can use their smartphones to delete photos. However, this action only sends files to the Trash folder without permanently deleting them. Android users have two methods of clearing the Trash folder in Amazon Photos. You can wait 30 days until the app automatically clears the folder, or you can head to the Amazon Photos website and manually empty the Trash folder.
The following instructions will guide you through emptying the Trash folder on your PC:
- Open the Amazon Photos web page and press the Trash icon.
- Go through the folder and select the files you want to permanently delete.
- Click the “Permanently Delete” option in the upper part of the desktop.
- Press the “Delete” button to confirm the action.
After emptying the Trash folder, you won’t be able to retrieve those files using Amazon Photos or Amazon Drive. Before hitting “Permanently Delete,” double-check which files you’ve selected. You don’t want to lose videos or pictures you may need later. Also, it’s a good idea to check the Trash folder occasionally, even if you have enough storage. You may have accidentally deleted a file you’ll want to restore.
How to Empty the Trash in Amazon Photos on an iPad
If you prefer to organize your photos and videos using your iPad, you can manually empty the Trash folder in under two minutes. Here’s what Premium members need to do:
- Launch the Amazon Photos app from the home screen and pick the album view.
- Tap the Trash icon to access the folder.
- Go through the files and select the photos and videos you want to delete.
- Hit the “Delete” button.
If you don’t have a Premium subscription, you can still use the Amazon Photos app on your iPad. However, you’ll get only 5GB of space instead of unlimited photo storage. Although this is more than enough for some, you may need more room for your files. In that case, you can manually empty the Trash folder to free up storage. Follow the steps below to do so.
- Open the Amazon Photos app from the home screen and choose the album view.
- Press the Trash icon to view recently deleted files.
- Examine your videos and images and tap the files you want to remove from the Trash folder.
- Select the “Delete” button.
Emptying the Trash folder will permanently delete the selected files. Always review the photos and videos you’ve selected to make sure you don’t wipe work or school files. Furthermore, you should consider checking the folder even when you have sufficient storage. If you’ve accidentally deleted a file, it’ll be in the Trash folder. After 30 days, the app will permanently delete it, and you’ll have no way of retrieving it.
Take Out the Trash in Amazon Photos With Ease
Amazon Photos is a convenient platform for organizing your videos and images, and it’s compatible with computers and mobile devices. Whether you need more storage or want to get rid of unnecessary media files, you can manually empty the Trash folder. Although the Android app is easy to use, it doesn’t have a built-in way to delete Trash files. So, until Amazon releases an update to fix the issue, Android users will have to empty the folder using a web browser.
Do you regularly delete files from your Trash folder in Amazon Photos? Which of the above methods do you use? Let us know in the comments section below.