How to Empty Trash on iPhone (Full Guide)

Deleting files and apps that are no longer in use is a good idea since it frees up storage space and improves performance. However, did you know that when you delete files from your iPhone, they’re not completely removed? The photos, videos, notes, etc, you delete from your iPhone remain in the ‘Trash’ folder for a limited time.

To reclaim that storage space, you must also find and empty the trash folder on your iPhone. Here’s how you can clean up trash on your iPhone.

1. Clear the Photos App Trash Folder

The photos you capture on your iPhone can be up to 10MB in size, consuming a lot of storage space. If your iPhone is running out of storage space, one way is to delete the images stored in the Photos app’s Trash folder.

1. Launch the Photos app.

2. Tap on the Albums.

3. Tap on Recently Deleted.

4. The Recently Deleted (Trash) folder will open. Tap on the Select button at the top right corner.

5. Select the Photos that you want to permanently delete.

6. Tap on the three dots at the bottom right corner.

7. Select Delete.

2. Delete the Files App Trash

Other than the photos, you may have deleted many files stored on your iPhone’s Files app. The PDF files, ebooks, etc., that you’ve deleted might have been stored in the Trash folder of the Files app.

Hence, if you want to reduce storage consumption, you must also delete the files app trash on your iPhone.

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.

2. Switch to the Browse tab at the bottom right corner.

3. Tap on Recently Deleted.

4. You will find all files that were recently deleted from the Files app. To select the files, tap the three dots in the top right corner.

5. Tap on Select.

6. Select the files you want to delete and then tap Delete.

7. On the Delete confirmation prompt, tap on Delete.

3. Find & Delete Mail App Trash

If you often delete spam emails from the Mail app on your iPhone, the deleted emails may be stored in the bin folder.

1. Launch the Mail app on your iPhone.

2. Tap on the Mailboxes at the top left corner.

3. On the mailboxes screen, tap on Bin.

4. Tap on the Edit button at the top right corner.

5. Select the mails you want to delete permanently and tap Delete at the bottom right corner.

6. On the Delete confirmation prompt, tap on Delete All.

4. Clear the Recently Deleted Notes on the iPhone

The Notes app on your iPhone also has a Recently Deleted folder you need to clear.

1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone.

2. Tap Folders at the top left corner of the screen.

3. Tap on Recently Deleted.

4. Tap on the Edit at the top right corner.

5. Select the Notes you want to permanently delete and tap Delete All.

6. On the confirmation prompt, tap on the Delete Notes option.

5. Clear the Voice Memos App’s Recently Deleted Folder

The Voice Memos app on the iPhone also stores your recently deleted audio recordings. Hence, if you want to free up storage space, you need to clear the deleted voice memos as well.

1. Launch the Voice Memos app.

2. Tap the backward arrow button at the top left corner.

3. Tap on Recently Deleted.

4. Tap on the Edit button at the top right corner.

5. Select the Voice Memos that you want to permanently delete.

6. Tap Delete at the bottom right corner.

7. On the Delete confirmation prompt, tap on Delete Forever.

6. Delete the Messages App Trash on iPhone

The messages you delete from your iPhone sit in the Recently Deleted folder for about 40 days before being permanently deleted.

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone.

2. Tap on the Filters at the top left corner.

3. Tap on Recently Deleted.

4. This will open the Recently Deleted folder of the Messages app. Tap the Delete All option at the bottom left corner.

5. Tap on the Delete Messages.

These are some simple steps to find and empty the trash folder on your iPhone. If you need more help clearing the trash on your iPhone, let us know in the comments.

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