How to Clean Google Drive in iPhone

 

Introduction

Google Drive is a fantastic cloud storage solution, but over time, it can become cluttered with unnecessary files, duplicates, and junk data. If you’re using Google Drive on an iPhone, cleaning up your storage is essential to ensure smooth operation and easy access to important files. In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to clean Google Drive efficiently.

Checking Google Drive Storage

How to Check Storage Usage on Google Drive

1. Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone.

2. Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-left corner.

3. Select Storage to see how much space you are using.

Understanding What Takes Up Space

• Google Drive stores files, documents, photos, and videos.

• Emails and attachments in Gmail also count toward your Google storage.

• Google Photos backups may also consume space if stored in the same account.

Deleting Unnecessary Files

How to Delete Files from Google Drive on iPhone

1. Open the Google Drive app.

2. Find the file or folder you no longer need.

3. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the file.

4. Select Remove.

Emptying Trash to Free Up Space

• Deleted files stay in the Trash for 30 days before being permanently removed.

• To empty Trash:

  1. Go to Trash in the Google Drive menu.

  2. Tap the three-dot menu and select Empty Trash.

Managing Large Files

Finding and Removing Large Files

• Sort files by size to locate large ones.

• Delete old videos, backups, or large PDFs.

Using Google Drive’s Storage Management Feature

• Open Google Drive on a browser and visit Google Storage Management.

• View large files and delete unnecessary ones.

Organizing Files Efficiently

Creating Folders for Better Organization

• Categorize files into folders like Work, Personal, Photos, and Documents.

Renaming and Categorizing Files

• Use clear, descriptive names for easy searching.

Deleting Duplicate Files

How to Find and Remove Duplicate Files

• Use Google Drive search to find similar filenames.

• Manually delete unwanted duplicates.

Using Third-Party Apps to Detect Duplicates

• Apps like Files by Google help in identifying and deleting duplicates.

Clearing Google Drive Cache on iPhone

Steps to Clear Cache for a Smoother Experience

1. Go to iPhone Settings.

2. Tap General > iPhone Storage.

3. Find Google Drive and select Offload App.

4. Reinstall the app to clear cached data.

Alternative Ways to Free Up Space

Moving Files to Other Cloud Storage

• Use Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud as additional storage.

Downloading and Storing Files Locally

• Save important files directly to your iPhone’s Files app.

Google Drive Storage Plans

Upgrading to Google One for More Space

• Plans start from 100GB at $1.99/month.

Choosing the Right Plan for Your Needs

• If you frequently store large files, upgrading is a good option.

Conclusion

Cleaning Google Drive on an iPhone is simple if you follow these steps. Regularly managing files, removing unnecessary data, and keeping your storage organized will ensure a hassle-free experience. A clean Google Drive helps you find important files quickly and keeps your digital space clutter-free.