Use the trash feature of the Gallery app on your Samsung Galaxy device

Last Update date : Oct 02. 2024
Samsung Galaxy device with file icons like documents and photos being thrown into a blue trash bin, representing the Gallery app's trash feature.

Accidentally deleted a photo or file from your Gallery app? Don’t worry! Your Samsung Galaxy device comes equipped with a handy trash feature that allows you to manage your Gallery app more effectively. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to delete files, restore them if you change your mind, and permanently remove them when you're sure you won’t need them again. Whether you’re cleaning up your storage or retrieving a lost gem, these simple steps will ensure you have full control over your Gallery content.

Note: Files deleted from the Gallery app are kept in the trash for 30 days. After this period, they are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Make sure to restore any important files before they are automatically purged.

Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 1. Open the Gallery app and tap either Pictures or Albums at the bottom of the screen. Then, search for the files you want to delete.

Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy with images or videos selected. Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy with images or videos selected.

Step 2. Tap the images or videos you want to delete to select them.

Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy with images or videos selected. Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy with images or videos selected.

Step 3. Tap Delete (at the bottom of the screen).

Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy with a pop-up window displaying the option 'Move to Trash'. Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy with a pop-up window displaying the option 'Move to Trash'.

Step 4. Tap Move to Trash.

Note: Deleted items will remain in the Trash for 30 days, after which they are permanently deleted.

Gallery app icon displayed among other application icons on a Samsung Galaxy device screen. Gallery app icon displayed among other application icons on a Samsung Galaxy device screen.

Step 1. Open the Gallery app.

Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 2. Tap the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines).

Menu of the Gallery app displayed on a Samsung Galaxy screen. Menu of the Gallery app displayed on a Samsung Galaxy screen.

Step 3. Tap Trash.

Picture selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Picture selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 4. Touch and hold the picture or video you want to restore.

Pictures selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Pictures selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 5. Add more pictures or videos to your selection by tapping their thumbnails. To select all files in the Trash, tap All in the top left corner.

Pictures selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Pictures selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 6. Tap Restore (at the bottom of the screen).

Note: If you selected All to restore every file in the Trash (as mentioned in Step 5), the option will read Restore all instead of Restore.

Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Home screen of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 1. Open the Gallery app, and then tap the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines).

Menu of the Gallery app displayed on a Samsung Galaxy screen. Menu of the Gallery app displayed on a Samsung Galaxy screen.

Step 2. Tap Trash.

Picture selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Picture selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 3. Touch and hold the picture or video you want to delete permanently.

Pictures selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Pictures selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 4. Add more pictures or videos to your selection by tapping their thumbnails. To select all files in the Trash, tap All in the top left corner.

Pictures selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy. Pictures selected in the Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy.

Step 5. Tap Delete (at the bottom of the screen).

Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy with a pop-up window displaying the option 'Delete'. Trash folder of the Gallery app on a Samsung Galaxy with a pop-up window displaying the option 'Delete'.

Step 6. Tap Delete to confirm the procedure.

Note: If you selected All to delete every file in the Trash (as mentioned in Step 4), the option will read Delete all instead of Delete at Step 5.

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