How to Empty Trash on iPhone 13: Step-by-Step Guide

Managing storage on your iPhone 13 can be challenging, especially when deleted files continue to take up space in the Trash or Recently Deleted folders. Many developers and users struggle to completely free up storage because they don't know how to permanently delete these files.

This guide explains how to empty the Trash on iPhone 13, covering the built-in methods to permanently remove deleted photos, emails, and files. You'll learn practical steps to clear space and keep your device running smoothly.

What does emptying trash on iPhone 13 mean?

Emptying trash on iPhone 13 means permanently deleting files from the Recently Deleted or Trash folders in apps like Photos, Mail, and Files. When you delete an item, it moves to these folders temporarily, allowing recovery. Emptying trash removes these files permanently, freeing storage space.

This process is essential because simply deleting files does not free up storage immediately. The iPhone retains deleted items for a grace period, usually 30 days, before automatic removal. Manually emptying trash accelerates this and helps maintain optimal device performance.

How do you empty the Photos trash on iPhone 13?

To empty the Photos trash on iPhone 13, you need to delete items from the Recently Deleted album within the Photos app. This album stores deleted photos and videos for 30 days before permanent deletion.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone 13. 2. Tap Albums at the bottom. 3. Scroll down and select Recently Deleted. 4. Tap Select in the upper right corner. 5. Choose Delete All to permanently remove all items or select individual photos and tap Delete.

This action permanently deletes the selected photos and videos, freeing up storage space immediately. If you don't empty the trash, these items remain in Recently Deleted and continue to occupy space.

How do you empty the Mail trash on iPhone 13?

Emails deleted from your inbox on iPhone 13 move to the Trash or Bin folder, depending on your email provider. To empty the Mail trash, you must manually delete these emails permanently.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Mail app. 2. Navigate to the Mailboxes view. 3. Tap Trash or Bin folder. 4. Tap Edit in the upper right corner. 5. Tap Delete All to permanently remove all emails or select specific emails and tap Delete.

Emptying the Mail trash ensures deleted emails do not consume storage or clutter your mailbox. Some email accounts may auto-empty trash after a set period, but manual deletion is faster and more reliable.

How do you empty the Files app trash on iPhone 13?

The Files app on iPhone 13 also has a Recently Deleted folder where deleted files are stored temporarily. To free up storage, you need to empty this trash manually.

Steps to empty Files trash:

1. Open the Files app. 2. Tap Browse at the bottom. 3. Scroll down and tap Recently Deleted. 4. Tap Select in the upper right corner. 5. Tap Delete All or select individual files and tap Delete.

After this, the deleted files are permanently removed from your device. If you skip this step, files remain in Recently Deleted and continue using storage space.

What prerequisites are required for emptying trash on iPhone 13?

Unlocked iPhone 13: You need access to your device with the passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID to manage deleted files.
Updated iOS version: Ensure your iPhone runs the latest iOS to avoid bugs related to file deletion and storage management.
Basic app navigation skills: Familiarity with the Photos, Mail, and Files apps helps you locate and empty trash folders efficiently.
Stable internet connection: For email trash management, an internet connection is necessary to sync deletions with your email server.

Step-by-step guide to empty trash on iPhone 13

Step 1: Empty Photos Recently Deleted folder

Start by permanently deleting photos and videos from the Recently Deleted album to free up space.

Open Photos app > Albums > Recently Deleted > Select > Delete All

This removes all deleted photos and videos immediately from your device storage.

Step 2: Clear Mail Trash folder

Next, permanently delete emails from your Trash or Bin folder in the Mail app.

Open Mail app > Mailboxes > Trash/Bin > Edit > Delete All

This action clears deleted emails, freeing mailbox storage and syncing the change with your email server.

Step 3: Empty Files Recently Deleted folder

Finally, remove deleted files from the Files app's Recently Deleted folder.

Open Files app > Browse > Recently Deleted > Select > Delete All

This permanently deletes files and frees up device storage.

Step 4: Restart your iPhone 13

Restarting your device helps refresh storage calculations and system caches.

Press and hold the side button and volume up/down button > Slide to power off > Turn on again

This ensures your iPhone reflects the freed storage after emptying trash.

What are common errors when emptying trash on iPhone 13 and how do you fix them?

Unable to delete items: This can happen if the device is locked or restricted. Unlock your iPhone and check Screen Time restrictions under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Trash folder not visible: Some email accounts or apps may hide trash folders. Verify your account settings or check the web interface to confirm trash location.
Deleted files reappear: This may occur due to iCloud sync issues. Ensure you have a stable internet connection and try toggling iCloud Drive off and on in Settings.
Storage not freed after deletion: Sometimes storage updates slowly. Restart your iPhone to refresh storage info or check for system updates.

What are best practices when emptying trash on iPhone 13?

Regularly empty trash folders: Schedule periodic deletion of Recently Deleted items to maintain free storage and device performance.
Backup important data: Before emptying trash, ensure you have backups of any files or photos you may want to recover later.
Use iCloud wisely: Understand how iCloud sync affects deleted items across devices to avoid accidental data loss.
Check app-specific trash: Some apps have their own trash or recycle bins; clear those to free additional space.
Monitor storage usage: Use Settings > General > iPhone Storage to track space and identify apps consuming large amounts of data.

What are alternatives to emptying trash on iPhone 13 to free up storage?

Besides emptying trash folders, you can free storage on iPhone 13 by deleting unused apps, clearing Safari cache, offloading large files, or using third-party storage management apps.

For example, offloading apps removes the app but keeps its data, freeing space without losing information. Clearing browser cache removes temporary files that accumulate over time.

These methods complement trash emptying and help maintain optimal device storage.

FAQ 1: How long does iPhone 13 keep deleted photos before permanent deletion?

Deleted photos remain in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days. After this period, iOS automatically removes them permanently unless you manually delete them earlier.

FAQ 2: Can I recover photos after emptying the trash on iPhone 13?

Once you empty the Recently Deleted folder, photos are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through the iPhone. Recovery may be possible via backups if available.

FAQ 3: Does emptying Mail trash delete emails from the server?

Yes, emptying the Mail trash on iPhone 13 deletes emails from the device and syncs the deletion with your email server, removing them from all connected devices.

FAQ 4: Why doesn’t my iPhone 13 show a trash folder in the Files app?

The Files app shows a Recently Deleted folder only if you have deleted files recently. If no files are deleted, this folder may not appear.

FAQ 5: Will emptying trash improve iPhone 13 performance?

Emptying trash frees up storage space, which can improve device performance by allowing iOS to manage resources more efficiently and prevent storage-related slowdowns.

Emptying trash on iPhone 13 is essential for managing storage effectively. It permanently removes deleted photos, emails, and files from Recently Deleted or Trash folders, freeing up space immediately. This process helps maintain device speed and prevents storage clutter.

Developers and users should regularly empty trash folders in Photos, Mail, and Files apps, restart the device afterward, and monitor storage usage. Following best practices ensures your iPhone 13 remains optimized and responsive.