- 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 your Android phone running slower than usual or constantly warning you about low storage ? One 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 remain stored, taking up space you could use for other things.
Luckily, there are several ways to quickly delete screenshots on Android , whether manually, automatically, or even by blocking accidental screenshots. If you're someone who often finds their phone cluttered with screenshots, don't worry: here's a complete and up-to-date 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 screenshots often 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 portion of the internal storage, especially on phones with custom interfaces that don't manage temporary files well.
Deleting old screenshots not only frees up space but also improves overall device performance and allows for better organization of the photo gallery . Furthermore, many users find it helpful to automate this process to avoid the problem altogether.
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 . You 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 delete a large number of screenshots at once . For 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 is a free Google tool for cleaning and organizing files. It's especially useful for automatically detecting and deleting old screenshots . Here's 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 older than four weeks, giving you the opportunity to keep only the most recent or important ones. For more details, you can also check out how to free up space on Android.
Delete screenshots with Google Photos
Another popular option is Google Photos. As an application designed for managing images, it allows you to easily filter and delete screenshots in batches . 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 our guide on how to free up space in Google Photos.
Is it possible to disable the screenshot feature?
Some users suggest another way to avoid the problem at its source: preventing accidental screenshots . Unfortunately, Android doesn't offer a system-wide option to completely disable the screenshot function. However, there are some workarounds:
- 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 by default, it is possible to considerably reduce the creation of accidental screenshots if you properly configure the device and 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 point: When you delete a screenshot from apps like Files by Google or Google Photos, it's not permanently deleted by default 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 deletions. Therefore, if you urgently need to free up space, remember to manually empty the recycle bin after deleting the screenshots.
If you're using third-party apps like Mark, deleting the screenshot completely removes it from storage, which also helps prevent unnecessary files from accumulating. For more storage management tips, see how to free up space on Android.
What to do if you can't find the screenshots?
On some Android phones, due to manufacturer customization, screenshots may be saved in different folders or have alternative names such as Screenshots , Screenshots , or Captures . If you can't find them, use the search function in your file manager or gallery app and type terms like "capture," "screenshot," or the approximate date you took it. You can also access them from your PC by connecting your phone via USB cable and checking the image folders on your internal storage.
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