Quick pic tip: How to clean up your photo library, fast

Quick pic tip: How to clean up your photo library, fast
© Kaspars Grinvalds | Dreamstime.com

While it’s fun to take more than five pics of every cute animal, life event or meal, your phone has a limit. For every beautiful shot, you’re probably saving a bunch of junk, too. Are you getting that “storage full” message? It’s a pain.

On an iPhone, do this one thing to get storage space back instantly.

A complete overhaul of your photo collection is a big project, but it doesn’t have to be. I clean my photo library up in a flash! Here are the steps I use to clean my digital photo library.

Easily remove duplicates on your iPhone

Apple added a valuable tool in iOS 16. Your iPhone now has a “duplicate photos” folder to merge anything duplicated. It’s so easy to use. Here’s how:

  • Open the Photos app and select Albums.
  • Scroll down and select Duplicates (under “Utilities”).
  • You can select them all by hitting Select > Select all > Merge or select individual photos and tap Merge.
  • Confirm your choice — and take back some storage space.

Pro tip: Is your storage still low? Here’s how to see what’s eating up space on your phone. To start, delete any apps you’re not using; they take up more space than you realize.

Clean up your photo folder on Android

Android phones have a little-known trick to clear up space, and it takes just a few taps.

Rather than manually locating and deleting everything you don’t need, open the Files by Google app, then select Clean. If you don’t have it, head to the Google Play Store and download it for free.

Once in the Files by Google app, tap Confirm and free up > See junk files, and select what you want to clear. When you’re ready, tap Clear > Clear. That’s all it takes to remove screenshots, memes, duplicates and other junk mixed in with your more important photos.

Pro tip: Stop scrolling to find the picture you want. You can search your photo gallery. Here’s how — and some tricks to find what you want.

Speed up your smartphone

Clearing out files, images and apps from your smartphone helps it run faster and more smoothly. It also improves your battery’s performance and extends its life. Tap or click here for simple ways to speed up your phone.

While cleaning out your phone, don’t forget to delete its cookies. These tiny files slow down your device and help companies track your online activities. It’s worth doing this now and then. Tap or click here for complete steps to get the job done.

Tags: Android, Apple, Apple iPhone, apps, battery, cookies, duplicates, Files by Google, Google, junk files, Kim Komando, phone, photo library, photos app, podcasts, smartphones, storage, storage space