How to Clean Up Gmail Storage: 7 Proven Tips to Free Up Space Fast

Do you keep getting messages that your Gmail storage is almost full? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many people face this problem, but it's easy to fix. This guide will show you simple ways to clean up your Gmail storage and free up space quickly.

1. Identify and Delete Large Emails

One of the fastest ways to free up space is to delete large emails. Use Gmail’s search bar to find emails larger than 5MB. Type "size:5m" to see all emails larger than 5MB. Select and delete the ones you don't need.

2. Remove Unnecessary Attachments

Attachments can take up a lot of space. To find emails with large attachments, type "has:attachment larger:10m" in the search bar then delete the ones you don’t need. You can also use tools like InboxPurge to help automate this process.

3. Clean Up Google Drive and Google Photos

Your Gmail storage is shared with Google Drive and Google Photos. Delete files and photos you no longer need to free up space. Go to Google Drive and Photos, select the items you don’t need, and click delete.

Always empty the trash folder to ensure they are permanently deleted.

4. Use Third-Party Apps

InboxPurge is an excellent tool for cleaning up Gmail storage due to its powerful features. One of its standout features is the quick clean filter, which categorizes emails into old junk, subscriptions, and large files, making it easy to delete unnecessary emails and free up space.

The sidebar in InboxPurge shows all your subscriptions, sorted by email frequency. This helps you quickly identify and select unwanted emails. InboxPurge then automatically unsubscribes you or deletes those emails, saving you time and effort.

Additionally, the super unsubscribe/deletion button simplifies the process of removing unwanted subscriptions, keeping your inbox organized and clutter-free.

By regularly using InboxPurge to delete spam emails and unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted emails and maintain a clean and efficient inbox.

5. Delete Emails by Date and Content

You can also delete emails based on the date or content.

• Type "older_than:1y" in the search bar to find emails older than one year.

• Select all and click the trash button to delete these emails to free up space. To find emails with specific content, use keywords in the search bar.

6. Archive Instead of Delete

If you don’t want to delete emails, you can archive them. Archiving removes emails from your inbox but keeps them in your account. Select the emails you want to archive and click the archive button. This way, you keep your inbox clean without losing important emails.

7. Monitor Storage and Upgrade if Necessary

Keep an eye on your storage usage. Go to your Google Account storage page to see how much space you have left. If you find you need more space, consider upgrading to a Google One subscription. For a small fee, you can get much more storage.

Conclusion

Keeping your Gmail storage clean is easy with these tips. Regularly delete large emails and attachments, If needed, use tools like InboxPurge to help manage spam and unsubscribe from unwanted emails. By following these steps, you can keep your Gmail account running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cleaning up Gmail Storage

1. How often should I clean up my Gmail storage?

It's good to check your storage every few months and delete unnecessary emails and files.

2. Can I recover emails after deleting them?

Yes, deleted emails go to the Trash folder where they stay for 30 days. After that, they are permanently deleted.

3. What if I accidentally delete an important email?

If it’s still in the Trash, you can restore it. Otherwise, it might be lost permanently, so always double-check before deleting.

4. Is there a limit to how many emails I can store in Gmail?

Gmail offers 15GB of free storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. You can buy more storage if needed.

5. How do I start using InboxPurge in managing Gmail storage?

To start using InboxPurge, install the Chrome extension on your browser and link it to your Gmail account. Once signed in, You can easily select the unwanted subscriptions on the InboxPurge sidebar, then click the unsubscribe or delete button to clean up you Gmail.

6. How do I know which emails are taking up the most space?

You can use search keywords like "larger:10M" in Gmail's search bar to locate emails with attachments larger than 10 MB. Reviewing and deleting such emails can help free up significant space.