Google Photos Cuts Trash Retention From 60 to 30 Days

What changes and what does not

The change does not touch photos and videos that remain in a user's library. The retention clock starts only when a file is moved to the trash. Google's guidance also notes that deleting a photo in the app can remove its copy from linked devices when sync and backup are on, so users may end up with no copy on their phone or in cloud storage once the window closes.

Google's official support page already lists a 30-day retention period, even though the notice gives December 5 as the start date for new items. The company has not explained the difference between the two dates.

Why Google may have done it

Google has not given a reason. Android Authority has floated the idea that the move could cut storage costs, as the tech industry faces rising prices for memory chips and storage driven by demand for AI infrastructure. Aligning the deletion policy for saved and unsaved items in backups could be another motive. Google acknowledged compute constraints and higher infrastructure costs when it reported third-quarter 2026 results, but that does not show Google Photos was directly affected by a storage shortage.

The confirmed effect falls on users: they lose 30 days of recovery time. People who delete by mistake or change their mind after several weeks are most exposed. Those who simply want to hide pictures can use the Archive feature, which moves them out of the main view while keeping them in the library. Before the deadline, deleted files can be restored by opening Collections, then Trash, and choosing Restore.