Why is My Gmail Storage Full After Deleting Everything?

So many people find themselves wondering, why is my Gmail storage full after deleting everything, and we expect you are also trying to figure out the same.
This is a more common issue than you think. As we all know that Google offers only 15GB of free storage which is generally enough and even if it falls short, generally people can continue  by deleting irrelevant emails. The problem comes when even after trashing everything in Gmail you still are not able to send or receive emails.
In this blog, we’ll explain why this happens, and we will also discuss 4methods through which you can fix it, including manual fixes and the best method will be discussed at the end I.E. – using a tool to safely backup your mails and free up your space.

Why is My Gmail Storage Full After Deleting Everything?

Before we talk about solutions, let us understand what is the cause of this issue?
As mentioned earlier Google has limited free cloud storage of only 15 GB, which is also collectively shared among:

So even if you deleted emails, the storage might still be full because:

• Trash & Spam folders still have data (It often stays up to 30 days).
• Gmail is not occupying major space; it’s Google Drive or Photos that uses majority space.
• Sent emails and large attachments weren’t deleted – People generally only clear Inbox.

Note: Users believe that deleting a lot of emails will free up enough space, but it only frees up a few MBs or at max a couple of GBs. Due to this issue of “Gmail storage full even once you trash every Gmail” people often miss important emails including invoices, receipts, project files and even admission letters because Gmail remains full even after deleting everything in mail.

How to Free Up Space When Gmail Storage is Full? – 4 Methods

In this blog we will learn about 4 Effective ways to fix Gmail storage full issue.
So lets with most basic ways and will eventually move on to better and effective method to permanently resolve the issue:

Method 1: Manually Empty Gmail Trash & Spam

This method will also be useful as it allows you resolve the issue form your mobile (android or iPhone)

1. Launch Gmail (either on phone or desktop) > Tap the three horizontal lines (in the top-left corner) >> Look for “Bin” and tap on it
2. Select all the folders and click “Delete Forever“
3. Do the same for Spam folder – Just above the Bin

Note: Items stay in the bin for 30 days unless deleted manually. After 30 days it automatically gets deleted

Method 2: Use Filters to Find and Delete Large Emails

1. Open Gmail > Type: larger:10M This is a Gmail search option
   (This particular option allows you to delete whose size is larger than 10MB. This can be changed as per the need)
2. Select unwanted files>> Delete >> Again “Empty Bin”

Note: To prevent the future space wastage one can take time to unsubscribe to promotional emails and newsletters.

If you have followed the above steps and still find your self Gmail storage full after deleting email, Method 3 will prove quite effective.

Method 3: Check Google Drive & Google Photos

This is an efficient method to clean up as you can exactly identify what’s taking up space

1. Open Google Drive > Go to “Storage”
   
2. Click on Clean Up Space > You can now access “Google One Storage Manager”
   
3. Look for “Clean up Suggested Items“.
4. Review and delete Large Files.
5. In Google One Storage Manager you can see Clean Up by Service > Enter each service (Google Photos, Mail to clear all )

Note: In this please check for bin and step like in Method 1 to free up more space.

Also Read: Move Gmail Folder to Another Account

Method 4: Migrating Data (To Hard Drive or Another Account)

This is a more professional solution as it allows you to keep all your important documents while catering to the issue of ” Gmail storage full after deleting everything”.

Here is how to clear Gmail storage without deleting anything:

• Migrate the data to a new Gmail account and Completely empty the one in use
• Transfer old data to hard drive

This method has various benefits

Advantages Backing Up Data:

• Allows you to empty up space without deleting important Files.
• It is a more long lasting solution.
• Only method to preserve attachments, metadata, and folder structure

This method requires the use of an automated tool – Email Backup Software, which is effective, secure, and allows you to cater to them in a more proficient way.

This method comes in handy when you don’t want to compromise with emails anymore without losing the earlier ones.

Step by Step Guide to clear Gmail storage Using Automated tool

1. Launch the software on your desktop (Software works on both mac and PC. A free trial version is also available.)
2. Select “Gmail” from the Email Source Panel (on the left)
   
3. Enter credentials or you can even “Sign in with Google“.
4. Select the desired folder you want to transfer. (Panel on the left side of the screen)
   
   Suggestion : Keep the Trash and Spam un-selected.
5. Select the saving option. If you want to save to PC use PST Format >> Hit Backup.
   
   (Other formats like ZIP, EML, MBOX etc. are also available)
6. You can also create a new email ID and migrate data there.
7. To so Select Gmail as Saving Option >> Enter the credentials of another Gmail >> Hit Backup
   
   

Your data will backup in a while.
Now you can empty the whole Gmail without any issue.

Note: With this approach, you won’t lose a single important document or receipt.

Also Read: How to Download Old Emails from Gmail

Final Thoughts

So if you have ever wondered why is my Gmail storage full after deleting everything, now you must have understood what’s the issue. It’s not just your inbox it can be your shared, your Google Drive/ Photos. This issue often creates issues for users hence we have discussed effective solutions.
We suggest using the reliable recommended tool as it allows you to clear Gmail storage without deleting anything. It is a secure, quick and most professional way to delete those emails without actually losing them and clearing up space so as you don’t miss any important email.

FAQs : Gmail Storage is Full After Deleting Emails

Q1. What to do when your Gmail storage is full?
To clear Gmail account storage, clear Trash and Spam from Gmail. Make sure you also clear Google Drive & Photos. You can even backup data via external backup software.

Q2. Why is my Gmail telling me I have full storage?
Google only offers 15GB of cloud storage shared over Drive, Gmail, and Photos for a free Gmail email address. To solve this you can delete all the unnecessary files.

Q3. What is the fastest way to clean up Gmail storage?
You can use filters to delete all the large files. Users can also go to Google One Storage Manager to find cleanup suggestions.

Q4. How to retrieve Gmail when storage is full?
Transfer emails and access them offline or transfer them to another account using recommended tools.