How Can You Stop Google Photos from Wasting Storage Space on Screenshots?

Why Are Your Screenshots Filling Up Google Photos? Find Out This Quick Solution!

Google Photos sometimes stores your phone’s screenshots, which can fill up your cloud storage quickly. You can stop this and also clean up your existing screenshots easily. Here’s how.

Stop Google Photos from Saving Screenshots Automatically

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap the profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Go to “Photos settings.”
4. Select “Backup.”
5. Tap “Back up device folders.”
6. Find the folder called “Screenshots.”
7. Switch off the toggle for this folder.

Now, Google Photos will not add new screenshots to your cloud storage. If you ever want to back up screenshots again, just turn the toggle back on.

Remove Screenshots Already Uploaded to Google Photos

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap “Search” at the bottom.
3. Tap “Screenshots.”
4. Press and hold the screenshots you want gone.
5. Tap the trash can icon in the top right.
6. Choose “Move to Trash.”

Deleted images stay in the Trash for 30 days. For permanent removal:

1. Go to “Collections” at the bottom.
2. Tap “Trash.”
3. Tap the three dots (top-right).
4. Select “Empty Trash.”
5. Tap “Delete Permanently.”

Once deleted permanently, those screenshots cannot be restored.

How to Back Up Only the Screenshots You Want

You can still choose and upload special screenshots manually if you want.

With Google Photos

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Tap “Collections.”
3. Select “Screenshots.”
4. Tap and hold the images you want.
5. Tap the three dots (top-right).
6. Choose “Back up now.”

With your phone’s Gallery app

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Find the “Screenshots” folder.
3. Select the images you want to upload.
4. Tap the share icon.
5. Choose “Photos Upload to Photos.”
6. Tap “Upload.”

Manage Your Uploaded Screenshots for Better Organization

• Star your important screenshots.
• Create albums for easier finding.
• Check storage used by screenshots: In Google Photos, go to your profile > “Photos settings” > “Backup” > “Manage storage.”
• To free up space, review the list, select screenshots, and move them to trash.

Tips

• Deleting unwanted screenshots frees up space and makes searching for your important photos simpler.
• You’re in control. You only store what’s useful to you.
• Needs change. You can turn screenshot backup on or off anytime.

Extra Helpfulness

• Google Photos gives you options: automatic backup for convenience, or manual uploads for more control.
• Removing screenshots you don’t need helps keep your photo library organized and your storage clear.

Staying on top of this is great for your phone and your cloud storage. Regularly reviewing and organizing your screenshots keeps things tidy and saves space for the photos that truly matter.