Podcast Summary: Hands-On Tech 226: Troubleshooting Google Drive Storage Space

Introduction

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, hosted by Micah Sargent, the focus is on troubleshooting storage space issues within Google’s suite of services, including Google Drive and Google Photos. Released on July 27, 2025, this episode delves into common problems users face when managing their Google storage and provides actionable solutions to free up space effectively.

Listener’s Concern: Storage Space Not Freeing Up

The episode kicks off with Micah addressing a pressing question from a listener named Mike:

"[00:52] Micah Sargent: Hello and welcome to Hands On Tech. I am Micah Sargent and today I'm excited to answer this question. ... My wife's phone is telling her that her storage in Gmail, Photos, etc. Is at 98% full and if it gets to full she won't be able to Save more photos, receive email, etc." ([01:17])

Mike explains that despite deleting non-essential emails and backing up Google Photos to a Synology NAS, the storage space remains at 98% full even after deleting over 1,000 photos. This issue persists beyond the expected 24-hour period needed for the storage space to update.

Understanding Google’s Trash System

Micah addresses the core of Mike’s issue by explaining how Google manages deleted files:

"[02:10] Micah Sargent: The number one reason why storage space doesn't update after a massive, massive deletion is that when you delete files from Google Photos, from Gmail, from Google Drive, they aren't gone forever. Right away they get moved to a trash can or a bin and this is a special folder where 30 to 60 days from then those things get automatically deleted." ([03:00])

Micah emphasizes that items in the trash still count against the storage quota:

"[04:15] Micah Sargent: ...something is maintaining that that is still storage that is taken up. ... you need to go to those different trash cans and bins and remove it from there too." ([04:20])

Step-by-Step Solutions

To effectively free up storage space, Micah provides a comprehensive guide:

1. Emptying Trash in Google Services

   • Google Photos Trash:

     "[05:30] Micah Sargent: ...go to photos.google.com/trash and empty the trash." ([05:35])

   • Google Drive Trash:

     "[06:00] Micah Sargent: ...go to drive.google.com/drive/trash and make sure that that is emptied out." ([06:05])

   • Gmail Trash and Spam:

     "[06:45] Micah Sargent: ...head to Gmail’s trash spot and the spam spot and get rid of stuff from both of those places. Make sure it's deleted forever." ([06:50])

2. Using Google Storage Manager Tool

   Micah introduces the Google Storage Manager as a vital tool for diagnosing and managing storage issues:

   "[09:10] Micah Sargent: ...Google's storage manager tool. This is specifically for people who are having issues with their storage space. It's at one.google.com, that's O-N-E not the number one.google.com/storage management. ... it gives you feedback and advice on how to save storage space." ([09:15])

Policy Changes Affecting Storage Quotas

A significant portion of the episode highlights a crucial policy change by Google that impacts storage management:

"[10:00] Micah Sargent: Google once had a policy in place that any photos uploaded in storage Saver, which was formerly known as high quality, did not count against your storage quota. ... It changed its policy on June 1st of 2021. If your wife has used Google Photos for longer than since 2021, understand that photos uploaded in any quality after June 1st of 2021 count against that quota. But photos stored before that do not." ([10:05])

This change means that any photos uploaded after June 1, 2021, now consume storage space, contrary to previous policies where high-quality uploads were free. Consequently, deleting old photos that do not count against the quota will not affect storage space, leading to confusion and frustration among users.

Recommendations for Managing Increasing Storage Needs

Micah acknowledges the likelihood that users, like Mike, may continue to take more photos and videos, potentially exacerbating storage issues. He suggests considering upgrading storage as a viable solution:

"[11:30] Micah Sargent: It may be time to look at paying for more storage. ... Google One offers multiple subscriptions to up the amount of storage space that you have across your Google account, and that will make things a lot more roomy for your wife's device and account." ([11:35])

Community Feedback and Confirmation

Adding weight to his advice, Micah references a comment from Jammer B in the chat:

"[07:16] Jammer B: My sister had the same issue, ... It disappeared in two weeks when the trash auto-deleted." ([07:20])

This anecdote supports the explanation that items in the trash can significantly impact storage until permanently deleted.

Conclusion and Final Advice

Micah wraps up the discussion by reiterating the importance of thoroughly managing the trash across Google’s services and utilizing the Storage Manager tool. He encourages listeners to consider upgrading their storage plans if their needs exceed the free quota. Additionally, Micah invites listeners to reach out with further questions, fostering an interactive and supportive community environment.

"[12:50] Micah Sargent: I would love to hear the you know, what ended up working for you, ... I'm happy to help all of you out with the questions you might have." ([12:55])

Additional Content: Promotions and Advertisements

While the main content centers on troubleshooting Google Drive storage, the episode includes segments promoting T-Mobile’s Family Freedom offer and Red Canary’s cybersecurity services. These sections, along with promotional content for Club TWiT, are strategically placed between the main discussions but are not essential to the technical content and solutions provided.

Key Takeaways

• Deleted files in Google services reside in the trash for 30 to 60 days, continuing to consume storage space until permanently deleted.
• Google’s policy change in June 2021 means that photos uploaded after this date now count against the storage quota, regardless of upload quality.
• Utilize Google’s Storage Manager tool for a comprehensive overview and management of your storage usage.
• Consider upgrading to Google One for additional storage space if necessary.
• Regularly empty trash across all Google services to ensure storage space is freed effectively.

Final Thoughts

Micah Sargent provides a thorough and user-friendly guide to managing and troubleshooting storage space issues within Google’s ecosystem. By addressing both procedural steps and policy-related nuances, listeners are equipped with the knowledge to navigate and resolve their storage challenges efficiently.