How to empty trash on iPhone [2025]

This article explains how to clear out deleted files and data from various apps on an iPhone, addressing the common misconception of a single, centralized "trash" folder. The iPhone doesn't have a system-wide trash can like a Mac; instead, individual apps manage their own deleted items.

The Illusion of the iPhone Trash Bin: Unlike computers, iPhones don't feature a universal recycle bin. However, many apps maintain "Recently Deleted" folders, temporarily holding deleted items for up to 30 days. This allows for recovery if needed. This temporary storage is often the culprit behind unexpected storage space consumption.

Emptying App-Specific "Trash": The article provides step-by-step instructions for clearing deleted items from key apps:

App	Steps to Empty "Trash"
Photos	Access "Recently Deleted" album; select and delete images/videos individually or delete all. Use CleanMy®Phone for advanced cleanup.
Files	Navigate to "Recently Deleted"; select and delete files individually or delete all.
Mail	Open "Trash"; select and delete emails individually or delete all.
Notes	Access "Recently Deleted"; swipe left on each note to delete or delete all.
Safari Cache	Go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
Voice Memos	Access "Recently Deleted"; select and delete recordings individually or delete all.
Messages	Access "Recently Deleted"; select and delete conversations individually or delete all.

Advanced Cleaning Tools: The article highlights CleanMy®Phone, a Setapp app that helps identify and remove duplicate photos, blurry images, and unnecessary screenshots, simplifying the cleanup process. Other apps like AnyTrans (for transferring files to a Mac to free up space), Spark Mail (for improved email management), and NotePlan (a more organized note-taking app) are also mentioned.

Beyond Individual App "Trash": The article also covers clearing the Safari cache (and suggests similar steps for other browsers) and offloading unused apps to reclaim storage space.

Conclusion: Regularly clearing these app-specific "Recently Deleted" folders and utilizing cache-clearing and offloading features can significantly improve iPhone performance and storage availability. Third-party apps can further streamline this process. The article concludes with a brief FAQ section.

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