GoKawiilGoogle Photos to cut trash retention for backed-up media from 60 to 30 days
Code found in Google Photos version 7.90 reveals plans to standardize how long deleted photos and videos remain recoverable, setting a single 30-day trash window for all media. Currently, backed-up items stay in trash for 60 days while non-backed-up files are removed after 30 days. The feature is not yet live for most users, but testers were able to activate it early.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This change halves the recovery window for backed-up photos, meaning users will have less time to notice accidental deletions and restore important memories. Since Google Photos serves as the default gallery and backup tool for many Android users, a shorter grace period increases the risk of permanent data loss for less attentive users.
- Google Photos may unify trash retention to 30 days for all media, down from 60 for backed-up files.
- The change was discovered in app code version 7.90 and isn't yet broadly live.
- Users will likely get advance notice before the shorter deletion window rolls out.
Samsung T7 Portable SSD — If Google Photos is cutting your trash window to 30 days, a local backup is the real safety net. The Samsung T7 is a pocket-sized USB-C drive that plugs straight into a phone or laptop, so you can keep your own copy of every photo and video instead of relying on a cloud recycle bin.
See Samsung T7 Portable SSD on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-08-26
Published there as: “Google Photos may soon give you less time to restore deleted media”
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