If you use an Android device, you probably know that it has a trash or recycle bin feature that allows you to recover deleted files. However, if you don't empty the trash regularly, it can take up valuable storage space and slow down your device.
In this article, we will show you how to empty trash on Android devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Understanding Android's Trash or Recycle Bin
Before we get into how to empty trash on Android, let's first understand what it is. When you delete a file on an Android device, it doesn't get permanently removed right away. Instead, it's moved to the trash or recycle bin, where it stays for a certain period of time, typically 30 days. During this time, you can recover the file if you change your mind.
How to Empty Trash on Android
Now that you know what the trash or recycle bin is on Android let's move on to how to empty it. There are a few different ways to do this depending on the device and Android version you're using, but we'll cover the most common methods below.
Method 1: Using the Gallery App
- Open the Gallery app on your Android device.
- Tap the three-dot menu button in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select "Trash" from the menu that appears.
- Tap the "Empty trash" button at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm that you want to empty the trash by tapping "OK" in the pop-up window.
Method 2: Using the Files App
- Open the Files app on your Android device.
- Tap the three-line menu button in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select "Trash" from the menu that appears.
- Tap the three-dot menu button in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select "Empty trash" from the menu that appears.
- Confirm that you want to empty the trash by tapping "OK" in the pop-up window.
Method 3: Using the Settings App
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Scroll down and tap on "Storage" or "Storage & memory."
- Tap on "Internal storage" or the name of your SD card.
- Tap on "Free up space" or "Files."
- Select "Trash" or "Recycle bin" from the menu that appears.
- Tap the "Empty trash" or "Empty recycle bin" button at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm that you want to empty the trash by tapping "OK" in the pop-up window.
Additional Tips for Managing Storage Space on Android
Now that you know how to empty trash on Android, here are a few additional tips for managing storage space on your device:
- Regularly delete old or unnecessary files and apps.
- Use a storage cleaner app to free up space automatically.
- Move files to an external storage device like an SD card.
- Use cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox to store files.
Conclusion
Emptying trash or recycle bin on Android devices is a simple process that can help you free up valuable storage space and improve your device's performance. Whether you use the Gallery app, Files app, or Settings app, following the steps we've outlined in this article should help you empty trash on Android with ease.