How to Empty the Trash on an iPhone (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

This article explains how to permanently delete removed notes, photos and messages from iPhone memory.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Empty the "Mail" Trash

Step 1. Open Mail

It is a blue icon containing a white envelope.

Step 2. Tap Mailbox

It is located at the top left of the "Inbox" page.

Step 3. Tap Trash

It's in the second group of folders, next to the trash can icon.

Step 4. Tap Edit at the top right

Step 5. Tap Erase All at the bottom right

Step 6. Tap Erase All to empty the trash folder and delete the deleted email messages from the iPhone memory

• The "Trash" folder keeps all deleted messages for a predetermined amount of time. Here's how to determine how long to leave messages in it before they are automatically deleted:

  • Open the "Settings" of the iPhone;
  • Tap "Mail";
  • Tap "Account";
  • Tap your email account;
  • Tap "Mail";
  • Tap "Advanced";
  • Tap "Remove";
  • Select "Never", "After a day", "After a week" or "After a month".

  Part 2 of 3: Empty the "Photos" Trash

  

  Step 1. Open "Photos"

  The icon is white and contains a flower-shaped color spectrum.

  

  Step 2. Tap Album at the bottom right

  

  Step 3. Scroll down and tap Recently deleted

  The icon depicts a gray square containing a bin.

  The "Recently Deleted" folder contains photos and videos that have been deleted in the last 30 days

  

  Step 4. Tap Select at the top right

  

  Step 5. Tap Erase All at the bottom left

  

  Step 6. Tap Delete [x] Articles

  At this point you will have permanently deleted deleted photos and videos from the iPhone memory.

  Part 3 of 3: Empty the "Notes" Trash

  

  Step 1. Open "Notes"

  The yellow and white icon depicts a notepad.

  If the app doesn't open the "Folders" screen, tap the "Back" button on the top left to view it

  

  Step 2. Tap Recently deleted

  This folder is located in the "iCloud" section of the menu.

  The "Recently deleted" folder contains notes deleted in the last 30 days

  

  Step 3. Tap Edit at the top right

  

  Step 4. Tap Erase All at the bottom right

  

  Step 5. Tap Erase everything

  All deleted notes will be permanently removed from the device memory.