Free up space · Google
How to free up space on the Google Pixel 5
Short answer
To free up space on the Pixel 5, open Settings > Storage to see what is using it, clear duplicates with Free up space, then empty Google Photos's Trash. A default 12.2 MP photo is about 3.7 MB, so 5,000 photos take roughly 19 GB of the 128 GB base model.
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How much space do Pixel 5 photos take?
Pixel 5: 12.2 MP main sensor, plus 16 MP ultrawide. 1,000 default Pixel 5 shots take about 3.7 GB.
| File | Typical size | Fits in 10 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Default photo (12.2 MP) | about 3.7 MB | about 2,703 |
| RAW / DNG (12.2 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 4K 60fps | about 400 MB | about 25 minutes |
The Pixel 5 has no high-resolution mode beyond 12.2 MP, so photo sizes stay predictable. RAW files from the Pixel 5 run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 4K 60fps, the Pixel 5 writes about 400 MB a minute, so a ten-minute clip takes 4.0 GB, the same as 1,081 default photos. Selfies from the 8 MP front camera are about 2.4 MB each.
Which built-in cleaners did the Pixel 5 ship with?
Out of the box on Android 11, the Pixel 5 has Free up space (Settings > Storage > Free up space), Smart Storage (Settings > Storage > Free up space > Menu > Settings > Smart Storage), Google Photos: Free up space on this device (Google Photos > profile picture > Free up space on this device) and Files by Google cleaning suggestions (Files by Google > Clean). How each works is in the Google guide.
What is specific to the Pixel 5?
Single 128 GB model. It no longer gets updates, so Google Photos backup plus Free up space is the main way to reclaim room.
Where is the storage screen on the Pixel 5?
The Pixel 5 launched in October 2020 with Android 11 and Android 11. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Storage. Google promises updates ended (no longer supported), so menu names can change after updates.
How much of each Pixel 5 storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 19 GB (14%) | 12 GB (9%) |
On the 128 GB Pixel 5, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,703 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 58% of it.
Where do deleted photos go on the Pixel 5?
On the Pixel 5, Google Photos's Trash holds them for 30 days (Google Photos > Collections > Trash). It launched on Android 11, so it also has Android's system trash.
How does the Pixel 5 compare with other Pixel phones?
Against the Pixel 6 Pro (October 2021), the Pixel 5 has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 12.2 MP main sensor where the Pixel 6 Pro has 50 MP. Against the Pixel 6 (October 2021), the Pixel 5 has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 12.2 MP main sensor where the Pixel 6 has 50 MP.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 5 | October 2020 | 128 GB | 12.2 MP (~3.7 MB) | No |
| Pixel 6 Pro | October 2021 | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 12.5 MP (~3.8 MB) | No |
| Pixel 6 | October 2021 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12.5 MP (~3.8 MB) | No |
Can you add a memory card to the Pixel 5?
No, the Pixel 5 has no microSD slot, so its 128 GB is all the space there is.
What will GalleryJury do on the Pixel 5?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later, will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.7 MB a Pixel 5 photo, its $5 pack of 5,000 photos covers roughly 19 GB, after 50 free.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos fit on a 128 GB Pixel 5?
In theory about 34,595 default photos if nothing else were stored; in practice apps and Android take a large share.
How much storage does the Pixel 5 have?
It was sold with 128 GB and no microSD slot.
Sources
- Google: Learn when you'll get software updates on Google Pixel phones (checked 31 October 2026)
- GSMArena: Google Pixel specs (secondary) (checked 31 October 2026)
- Google Pixel Help: Free up storage space (checked 31 October 2026)
- Google Photos Help: Delete & restore photos and videos (checked 31 October 2026)
Related
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GalleryJury is coming soon to Android
It keeps the best shot from every burst and clears the clutter around it. 50 free photos to try, then $5 for 5,000 photos or $15 for 20,000. Pay once, nothing renews. No subscription.