Device links
Amazon Photos is a convenient way to store your snapshots in the cloud without cluttering your local storage. It is easy to use, features an intuitive interface and offers many built-in options.
However, you only get 5GB of storage space (unless you’re a Prime member). While this is enough for some, you may need a little more space to keep track of your photos and videos, which is where emptying the Trash comes into play. When you empty the Trash folder, you’ll create extra space for all your files.
Cleaning the Trash folder in Amazon Photos is relatively easy regardless of whether you use a PC or 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 only get 5GB of video storage without a Prime account. If you are running out of space and wondering how you can make extra space for a few more videos, you should consider emptying your Trash folder. It might contain some unnecessary video files that hog your storage space. This is what you should do:
- Open your preferred web browser and go to the Amazon Photos page.
- Tap the small Trash icon to open the folder.
- Review the photos and videos and decide which files you want to delete.
- Select the unnecessary files and choose the “Permanently Delete” option at the top of the screen.
- Press the “Delete” button to confirm your decision.
Please note that you cannot recover permanently deleted files using Amazon Drive or Amazon Photos. Before emptying the folder, make sure you don’t accidentally have any files you want to keep.
Another thing you should remember is that the Trash folder automatically deletes all files after 30 days. You can wait for this period to pass or use the above method to free storage. Of course, always check the folder to make sure you haven’t accidentally marked important files as “Trash.”
Since Amazon Photos reserves unlimited photo storage only for Prime members, other users receive 5 GB of space for videos and images. If you notice that you are running out of GB, the easiest way to solve the problem is by deleting files from the Trash folder. Follow the steps below to do it:
- Open your web browser and go to the Amazon Photos website.
- Choose the trash icon to open the Trash folder.
- Browse the files to see which ones you want to delete.
- Tap the appropriate images and videos and select “Permanently Delete” in the top p of the interface.
- Press “Delete” to confirm the action.
Once you delete files in the Amazon Photos Trash folder, you can’t recover them. Therefore, select files carefully to avoid deleting valuable information. Remember that the Trash folder keeps files for 30 days. After this period, it is automatically emptied. It’s best to periodically check your Trash folder to make sure you don’t lose the 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 deleting them. You have two ways to permanently delete files in Amazon Photos. You can wait 30 days for the Trash folder to be emptied. Or you can delete files manually.
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 album view and click the small “Trash” icon to access the folder.
- Review the files and tap on the image and videos you want to delete.
- Select the “Delete” option.
Because you cannot restore permanently deleted files, make sure you have 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 storage space. Follow the steps below to do it:
- Open the app and enable album view.
- Press the small Trash icon to open the folder.
- Carefully examine the photos and videos and select the files you want to delete permanently.|
- Click the “Delete” button.
Although manually emptying the Trash folder is the fastest method to gain additional storage, the app deletes the folder every 30 days. Therefore, you should check the folder every two weeks to see if you want to save some of the files it contains. Once the app deletes them from the Trash folder, you will have no way to restore 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 to clear the Trash folder in Amazon Photos. You can wait 30 days for the app to automatically delete the folder, or you can head to the Amazon Photos website and manually empty the Trash folder.
The following instructions will guide you to empty the Trash folder on your PC:
- Open the Amazon Photos webpage and tap the Trash icon.
- Review the folder and select the files you want to delete permanently.
- Click the “Permanently Delete” option at the top of the desktop.
- Press the “Delete” button to confirm the action.
After you empty the Trash folder, you won’t be able to recover those files using Amazon Photos or Amazon Drive. Before you press “Permanently Delete”, check which files you have selected. You don’t want to lose videos or images that you may need later. Additionally, it’s a good idea to check your Trash folder from time to time, even if you have enough storage space. You may have accidentally deleted a file that you 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 less than two minutes. Here’s what Premium members do:
- Launch the Amazon Photos app from the home screen and choose album view.
- Tap the Trash icon to access the folder.
- Review the files and select the photos and videos you want to delete.
- Press 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. While this is more than enough for some, you may need more space 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 album view.
- Press the Trash icon to view recently deleted files.
- Browse your videos and images and tap the files you want to delete 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 delete work or school files. Additionally, you should consider checking the folder even when you have enough storage. If you accidentally deleted a file, it will be in the Trash folder. After 30 days, the app will permanently delete it and you will have no way to recover it.
Take out trash on Amazon Photos with ease
Amazon Photos is a convenient platform for organizing your videos and images and is 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 files from the Trash. So until Amazon releases an update to fix the issue, Android users will need to empty the folder using a web browser.
