If you're like most people, your phone is filled with photos and videos that take up a lot of storage space. But before you start deleting those memories, there are a few things you need to know. A common mistake could delete those photos forever.

It happened to some of my close friends a few years ago. Their daughter decided to delete photos on her device which was using the same Apple account. All of a sudden, her mom, dad, and brothers did not have the photos on their phones. They lost hundreds of precious memories they could not get back.

Here are a few things you need to know before you start deleting photos and videos for more storage space.

Understanding Photo and Video Storage

● Photos typically take up around 2MB of storage space.

● Videos, on the other hand, can be much larger. A 22-second video can take up 163MB.

● It's important to be mindful of these file sizes when managing your phone's storage.

Safely Deleting Photos and Videos

● iPhone Users:

iCloud Backup: Ensure that your iCloud backup is turned on before deleting photos. This will prevent you from permanently losing your photos.

Duplicates: iOS has a built-in feature to identify and merge duplicate photos.

However, third-party apps like "Cleanup" offer more advanced duplicate detection.

Turning Off iCloud (Temporarily): If you want to delete photos from your phone but keep them in the cloud, temporarily turn off iCloud before deleting. Remember to turn it back on afterward.

Android Users:

Google Photos Backup: Make sure your photos are backed up to Google Photos. This allows you to safely delete photos from your phone while still having them accessible in the cloud.

Google One: If you take a lot of photos and videos, consider subscribing to Google One for additional storage space.

The Best Way to Back Up Photos

● The most reliable way to back up your photos is to connect your phone to a computer and download them to a hard drive.

● Alternatively, you can use small jump drives that connect to your phone for easy photo transfers.

Additional Tips

● Regularly review and delete unnecessary photos and videos.

● Consider using cloud storage services to offload your media files.

● Be cautious when using third-party apps to manage your photos, as they may have privacy implications.

By following these tips, you can free up valuable storage space on your phone without risking the loss of your cherished memories. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your photos and videos.