Managing photos and videos is essential for keeping your Samsung Galaxy S25 running smoothly. Over time, your device can accumulate a large number of media files, consuming valuable storage space. Whether you’re looking to free up memory, remove unwanted images, or protect your privacy, permanently deleting photos and videos is crucial.
However, simply pressing the delete button does not always mean the files are gone forever. Samsung devices store deleted media in the Recycle Bin for a set period, allowing users to recover them if needed. If you want to ensure that your photos and videos are permanently erased and cannot be restored, you need to follow the correct steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through different methods how to permanently delete photos/videos on Samsung Galaxy S25, including clearing the Recycle Bin, managing cloud backups, and using secure deletion techniques. Let’s get started!
Understanding Samsung’s Storage System
Samsung Galaxy S25, like other Samsung smartphones, uses a structured storage system to manage photos and videos efficiently. When you delete a file, it doesn’t immediately disappear from your device. Instead, Samsung has built-in safety measures to prevent accidental loss and allow recovery if needed. Understanding how these systems work will help you permanently delete photos and videos when necessary.
A. How Deleted Files Are Handled
When you delete a photo or video on the Samsung Galaxy S25, it is not immediately removed from your device. Instead, it is moved to the Recycle Bin (also called “Trash”) in the Gallery app or the My Files app. Files stored in the Recycle Bin remain there for 30 days before they are automatically deleted. This feature allows users to recover mistakenly deleted files.
B. Samsung Cloud Backup and Google Photos Synchronization
Many Samsung users enable Samsung Cloud or Google Photos to back up their media files. If cloud backup is active, deleted photos and videos may still be stored online, even after being removed from the phone’s storage. This means files could reappear if the cloud automatically syncs them back.
C. Internal and External Storage Locations
Samsung Galaxy S25 organizes photos and videos into different storage locations:
- Internal Storage – The primary location where media files are saved (e.g., DCIM folder).
- SD Card (if available) – If an SD card is inserted, some media files might be saved here.
- Samsung Secure Folder – A protected space where sensitive files can be stored separately. Deleting files from here requires additional confirmation.
Understanding these aspects of Samsung’s storage system is crucial when trying to permanently delete photos and videos.
Steps to Permanently Delete Photos/Videos
Deleting photos and videos on the Samsung Galaxy S25 is a straightforward process, but ensuring they are permanently removed requires a few extra steps. Simply tapping the delete button does not erase files immediately, as they are moved to the Recycle Bin (Trash) for 30 days before being automatically deleted. To prevent recovery and free up storage instantly, follow the steps below to permanently delete your media files.
A. Deleting Photos and Videos from the Gallery App
Open the Gallery App
- Launch the Gallery app on your Samsung Galaxy S25.
Select Photos or Videos to Delete
- Tap and hold on the photos or videos you want to remove.
Move Files to Trash (Recycle Bin)
- Tap the Delete icon and confirm the action.
Clear the Recycle Bin
- Open Gallery > Menu (three line icon) > Trash (Recycle Bin).
- Tap “Empty” or select individual files and tap “Delete Permanently.”
B. Deleting Photos and Videos Using My Files App
For media files stored in different folders outside the Gallery, use the My Files app to locate and delete them:
Open My Files App
- Go to Apps > My Files.
Navigate to Media Storage
- Select Internal Storage > DCIM, Pictures, or Videos folder.
Select and Delete Files
- Tap and hold on files to delete, then tap the Delete button.
Empty the Recycle Bin in My Files
- Open My Files > Recycle Bin, then delete files permanently.
C. Removing Photos and Videos from Samsung Cloud and Google Photos
If your media files are backed up to the cloud, you must delete them from Samsung Cloud and Google Photos to prevent automatic restoration.
1. Deleting from Samsung Cloud
- Open Settings > Samsung Account > Samsung Cloud.
- Go to Gallery Sync and check if backups exist.
- Delete photos directly from Samsung Cloud to prevent re-syncing.
2. Deleting from Google Photos
- Open Google Photos and select the photos/videos to delete.
- Tap Trash icon, then open Trash folder in Google Photos.
- Tap Empty Trash to permanently delete the files.
D. Using Secure Erase for Permanent Deletion
If you want to ensure that deleted photos and videos cannot be recovered, consider these additional steps:
Wipe Cache Partition
- Boot into Recovery Mode and select Wipe Cache Partition to remove residual data.
Use Secure Erase Apps
- Third-party apps like Secure Eraser or ShredIt can overwrite deleted data to prevent recovery.
Factory Reset (Last Resort)
- If you want to erase all media files permanently, go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset. (Warning: This deletes everything on the phone!) Enable Gallery Labs on Samsung Galaxy S25
Permanently deleting photos and videos on the Samsung Galaxy S25 requires more than just tapping the delete button. To ensure files are completely removed, always clear the Recycle Bin, delete backups from Samsung Cloud/Google Photos, and use secure erasure methods if necessary. By following these steps, you can protect your privacy and free up storage space efficiently.
Conclusion
Managing your photos and videos properly is essential for maintaining your Samsung Galaxy S25’s storage and protecting your privacy. While simply deleting files may seem sufficient, they often remain recoverable in the Recycle Bin, cloud backups, or even hidden storage areas. To ensure permanent deletion, it’s important to follow all necessary steps, including clearing the Recycle Bin, removing backups from Samsung Cloud and Google Photos, and using secure erase methods when needed.
By taking these extra precautions, you can free up space on your device, prevent accidental recovery, and safeguard your personal data. Whether you are deleting files for privacy reasons or to optimize performance, following the correct procedures will help you securely and permanently remove unwanted photos and videos from your Samsung Galaxy S25.