- Screenshots can take up a lot of space on your phone's memory. Android if they are not managed properly.
- There are manual and automatic methods to delete screenshots, from apps natives like Google Photos or Files by Google to specialized applications.
- Deleting old screenshots and automating the process helps keep your device tidier and with more available capacity.
Have you noticed that your Android phone is running slower than usual or is constantly warning you of a lack of power? storageOne of the most common causes of this problem is the accumulation of forgotten screenshots in your gallery. Often, we take screenshots to share something specific, save a note, or simply by mistake, and over time, they get stored, taking up space that could be used for other purposes.
Luckily, there are different ways to Quickly delete screenshots on Android, whether manually, automatically, or even by blocking the possibility of taking accidental screenshots. If you're one of those who often finds your phone full of screenshots, don't worry: here's a complete and updated guide to tidying up your phone and freeing up space easily.
Why delete screenshots regularly?
Most Android users take screenshots almost daily, whether to remember information, share images, or simply by mistake. The problem is that these captures usually remain in the device's memory for a long time., taking up space without us realizing it. If you don't delete them from time to time, they can consume a considerable amount of internal memory, especially on phones with customization layers that don't manage them well. Temporary files.
Deleting old screenshots not only helps free up space, but also improves overall device performance and allows you to better organize the Photo gallery. Additionally, many users find it helpful to automate this process to put the problem behind them once and for all.
Manual ways to delete screenshots on Android
The most classic, and also the easiest, method is to delete screenshots directly from your photo gallery. However, there are apps that make this task much easier, such as Google Photos or Files by Google. Let's see how to do it step by step with each of them.
Delete screenshots from the system gallery
Most Android phones have a specific folder for screenshots, usually called Screenshots o ScreenshotsYou can access it from the gallery app by following these steps:
- Open the app Photos o Gallery of your mobile.
- Look for the folder called Screenshots o Screenshots.
- Select one or more screenshots you want to delete. It's usually enough to long-press on an image and then select several.
- Click on the trash can icon or the option Delete which usually appears at the bottom or top of the screen.
This way you can quickly remove a large number of captures at onceFor more tips, you can also check out How to delete data and documents on iPhone.
How to delete screenshots with Files by Google
Files by Google It is a free tool from Google aimed at cleaning and organizing files. It is especially useful for detect and delete old screenshots automaticallyThis is the recommended procedure:
- Opens Files by Google on your Android device.
- Go to the side menu and select the option Clear or the broom-like icon.
- Look for the card that says Old screenshots and click on Select files.
- Check one by one (or all) the screenshots you want to delete.
- When finished, touch Move to trash to delete the selected files.
- Confirm the action if a confirmation window appears.
This method is designed to find screenshots that are more than four weeks old, giving you the opportunity to keep only the most recent or important ones. For more details, you can also review how to free up space on android.
Delete screenshots with Google Photos
Another widely used option is Google Photos. Being an application designed to manage images, it allows you to filter and delete screenshots in batch easily. The steps are:
- Open Google Photos on your Android phone.
- Swipe to open the side menu and enter Device folders.
- Select the folder Screenshots.
- Long-press any screenshot to activate multi-selection, then select all the ones you want to delete by dragging your finger or selecting them individually.
- Click the trash can icon to delete them.
Deleted images will be moved to the Google Photos trash, where they will be kept for 60 days. before being permanently deleted. For more information, you can also visit How to free up space in Google Photos.
Is it possible to disable the screenshot feature?
Some users suggest another alternative to avoid the problem at its source: prevent accidental screenshots from being takenUnfortunately, at the system level, Android doesn't offer an option to completely disable the screenshot feature. However, there are some strategies:
- On many mobile phones you can disable quick gestures (such as three-finger swipe or knuckle tapping) that can be used to take accidental screenshots. Search in Settings > Advanced Features > Screenshot or similar.
- Some customization layers also allow you to disable the option from the privacy or accessibility settings.
- Specialized applications, such as ScreenWings, allow you to block the ability to capture screens to prevent both accidental captures and potential spyware apps. This app works in the background to prevent screenshots from being taken system-wide or in certain sensitive apps.
Therefore, although Android does not allow it out of the box, It is possible to significantly reduce the creation of accidental captures if you configure the device properly. and you use third-party tools.
Additional tips to keep your phone clean of old screenshots
In addition to periodically deleting screenshots and automating the process, you can follow other tips to keep your phone organized:
- Clean up by taking advantage of the reminders from the apps themselvesGoogle Photos or Files by Google often alert you when there are too many unreviewed screenshots.
- Use automatic cleaning apps to delete temporary files and suggestions for cleaning the gallery.
- Set up selective backup in Google Photos to avoid storing captures unnecessarily in the cloud and save only the truly important ones.
- On phones with limited internal storage, perform monthly screenshot reviews. to avoid unpleasant surprises when you least expect them.
What are the differences between deleting a screenshot and moving it to the trash?
An important fact: When you delete a screenshot from apps like Files by Google or Google Photos, by default it is not permanently deleted but moved to the recycle bin.It will remain there for 30 or 60 days (depending on the app and device manufacturer) before being permanently deleted. This is a security feature to prevent accidental deletion. So, if you need to free up space urgently, don't forget to empty the trash manually after deleting your screenshots.
If you're using third-party apps like Mark, deleting the screenshot completely clears it from your storage, which also helps prevent unnecessary files from accumulating. For more tips on storage management, see how to free up space on android.
What to do if you can't find the screenshots?
On some Android phones, due to the customization of each manufacturer, Captures can be saved in different folders or carry alternative names such as Screen shots, Screenshots o CatchesIf you can't find them, use the search function in your file manager or gallery and type in terms like "capture," "screenshot," or the approximate date you took it. You can also access them from your PC by connecting your phone via cable. USB and checking the image folders in the internal storage.
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