Free up Redmi storage with Google Photos: check the backup first

Make sure the pictures are really backed up

1. Open Google Photos, check the signed-in account, then open your profile picture or initial, Photos settings and Backup. Confirm that backup is on and the account is the one you intend to use.

2. Check Back up device folders for pictures saved by other apps. Do not assume that checking camera photos also covers every folder.

3. Wait for Backup complete. For important individual items, open a photo or video, choose More, then About and read the backup information under Details. A thumbnail alone is a poor shortcut: Google documents different icons depending on whether backup is enabled.

I'd also open a few important pictures at photos.google.com while signed in to the same account. For irreplaceable photos, I prefer a separately verified extra copy before removing anything from the phone.

Use the device-space command deliberately

In Google Photos, tap your account picture or initial and choose Free up space on this device. Review the amount offered. Only when you are ready to remove those local copies, tap Free up [x] from device.

This operation deletes files from the phone. Google says the backed-up pictures remain available through Google Photos and its website. Items less than 30 days old may remain on the device, so do not expect it to clear every recent photo.

Use that named command for this task. Ordinary deletion in Google Photos can also remove backed-up items from the account, which is a different outcome.

Know what you give up, then check the result

Google warns that removed local copies will no longer appear in the built-in Gallery or be available offline. You also need to be signed in to Google Photos to view the backed-up library. I'd postpone this cleanup before travelling somewhere with unreliable internet if I still need those pictures on hand.

Afterwards, check that the pictures you care about still open in Google Photos with an internet connection. If something seems missing, stop further cleanup and confirm the account and backup status before making more changes.

The Redmi Note 15 Pro shown in the photograph is an illustration, not evidence of a tested backup. If your next task is taking new pictures, my Redmi photography guide covers light, focus and framing.