Gmail full? 5 infallible tricks to free up space without paying for extra storage

Did you get the dreaded “Account storage space full” message? You are not the only one. When Gmail reaches its limit, not only do you stop receiving important emails, but Google Drive and Google Photos functions are also blocked, since all three services share the same free quota of 15 GB.

Before you whip out your credit card to pay for a Google One subscription, try these simple and effective methods to get your inbox back today.

1. LOCATE AND DELETE “HEAVY” EMAILS

The quickest way to save space is by deleting the messages that weigh the most. You don’t need to search for them one by one; use the hidden commands in the Gmail search bar:

• Command larger:15MB: Type this in your email search engine to find messages that are larger than 15 megabytes. They are usually emails with videos, high-resolution photos or very large PDF files.
• Command before:2022/01/01: This filter will show you emails from previous years that you probably no longer need.

Pro Tip: Combine both commands (example: larger:10MB before:2023/01/01) for a deep cleaning of old and large files.

2. MASSIVE CLEANING OF NEWSLETTERS AND SPAM

Promotions and newsletters add up by the thousands. To delete them in bulk, search for the name of a sender (such as a store or news service), select all the messages, and delete them.

Don’t forget the final step: Gmail doesn’t free up space until you empty the Trash and Spam folder. Do this manually so that the storage is updated immediately.

3. DOWNLOAD BEFORE DELETING

If you have attachments that are important but take up a lot of space, the best strategy is to download them to your computer or an external hard drive. Once you have the physical backup, delete the email from the cloud. This way you will preserve the information without sacrificing your valuable Google gigs.

4. CHECK GOOGLE DRIVE AND GOOGLE PHOTOS

Remember that Gmail is just one part of the ecosystem. Sometimes the problem is not the emails, but the files in the cloud:

• Google Drive: Check the “Large Files” section and delete duplicate videos or documents.
• Google Photos: As of June 2021, all photos count towards the limit. Delete screenshots, blurry photos, or long videos that you no longer want to keep.

5. KEEP YOUR MAILBOX ON “DIET”

To prevent Gmail from filling up again, follow these habits:

• Unsubscribe from emails that you never open.
• Check your spam folder once a week.
• Use space management tools in your Google Account settings.

WHAT HAPPENS IF NONE OF THIS WORKS?

If after a deep clean you’re still out of space, consider the Google One plans. The basic plan offers 100 GB of storage for a low monthly cost, which is ideal for professional accounts or users who handle very high volumes of files.