On September 7, 2024, Google announced a new initiative to help users extend their Gmail storage for free. With the increasing demand for email storage, Google has recognized the need to provide more options for users to manage their space without resorting to paid plans. In this article, we’ll explore five effective ways to extend your Gmail storage for free.
Main Points
1. Delete Large Attachments
One of the easiest ways to free up space in your Gmail account is by deleting emails with large attachments. To do this, simply type has:attachment larger:10M in the search bar and press enter. This will display all emails with attachments larger than 10MB. Select the emails you want to delete and click on the trash can icon to remove them from your inbox.
2. Clean Up Your Spam and Trash Folders
Another way to free up space is by regularly cleaning up your spam and trash folders. Gmail automatically deletes emails in these folders after 30 days, but you can manually empty them sooner. To do this, go to your spam folder, select all the emails, and click on the “Delete forever” button. Repeat this process for your trash folder to ensure that deleted emails are permanently removed from your account.
3. Use Google Drive for Large Files
If you find yourself frequently receiving large files through email, consider storing them in Google Drive instead. This will help you keep your Gmail inbox clutter-free and save space for more important emails. To do this, simply forward the email with the attachment to your Google Drive email address (yourname@gmail.com) and the file will be automatically uploaded to your Drive.
4. Utilize Google’s Storage Management Tools
Google offers a range of tools to help you manage your storage across its various services, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. To access these tools, go to one.google.com and click on “Storage.” This will show you a breakdown of how your storage is being used and provide recommendations on how to free up space.
5. Consider Upgrading to a Paid Plan
If you’ve exhausted all the free options and still find yourself running out of storage, it may be worth considering upgrading to a paid plan. Google offers a range of storage plans starting at $1.99 per month for 100GB, which can be shared across your Google account. While this is not a free option, it can provide you with the additional storage you need to ensure your emails are always accessible.
