Google storage management: Tips for Gmail and Photos

Users managing Google storage can optimize their 15 GB shared pool across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos through targeted cleanup methods. To avoid losing important data, it is recommended to use Google Takeout to export mail data as MBOX files before deleting large attachments or recurring newsletters.

Note that Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides created before June 1, 2021, do not count toward the storage quota, whereas files created or edited after that date do.

When managing Google Photos, users should be cautious: deleting photos from the cloud often removes them from synced smartphones by default. To free up cloud space while keeping images on a mobile device, users can disable the ‘Backup & Sync’ option or use the ‘Undo backup for this device’ setting. It is advised to back up photos to an external hard drive before making significant changes to cloud storage.