Technologies

Don’t Spend Money on Google Drive or Gmail Again

Follow these steps to save money on extra digital storage.

Cleaning your Google Drive and Gmail is a nice way to kickoff spring, and it could save you some money, too. Google Drive and Gmail are packed with some of Google’s most popular services. However, you only get a combined 15GB of storage space to use for free for all those services, which can fill up fast. When you’re close to your limit, Google will ask if you want to buy more storage. But you can manage your digital space for free and save yourself some money instead.

Here’s how to free up Google Drive and Gmail space on desktop and mobile so you don’t have to pay for additional storage. We recommend doing this on desktop, as you’ll have an easier time sorting through and managing files rather than doing it on your mobile device.

Delete large files first

If you only want to delete a few items from Google Drive and Gmail to free up space, you can sort each service by file size and delete one or two large files instead of a few dozen smaller items.

Here’s how to delete files by size in Google Drive on your desktop

1. Log into your Google Drive account.

2. Once logged in, click Storage in the menu on the left side of the screen.

3. The Storage page should list your files from largest to smallest, but if not click Storage Used on the right side of the screen. The files should now be ordered from largest to smallest.

4. Click large files you want to delete to select them, then click either the trash bin in the top right of your screen or drag the large files to Trash on the left side of the screen.

5. Click Trash to go to the Trash menu.

6. Click Empty Trash in the top-right corner of your screen.

7. Click Delete forever and your files are gone.

You can do this in the Google Drive app, as well. Here’s how:

1. Open your Google Drive app and log into your account.

2. Tap Files in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

3. Tap Name underneath My Drive near the top of the screen.

4. Tap Storage Used. This will arrange your files from largest to smallest.

5. Tap the three dots (…) next to the item you want to delete.

6. Tap Remove.

7. Tap the hamburger icon in the top-left corner of the screen next to Search in Drive.

8. Tap Trash.

9. Tap the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the screen.

10. Tap Empty trash.

Whether you need to make room, or just to keep your Gmail tidy, it’s easy to make room for storage in the service.

James Martin/CNET

You can also arrange and delete files by size in Gmail on the desktop. Here’s how:

1. Log into your Gmail account.

2. Type has:attachment larger:10MB into the search bar and hit Search. This will show you all emails that have attachments larger than 10 MB from largest to smallest. You can use this format to filter by other size files, not just 10 MBs.

3. Check the boxes to the left of each email you want to delete, then click the Trash icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

4. Click Trash on the left side of the screen to go to the Trash menu. If you don’t see Trash, click More and Trash should be in the expanded menu.

5. Once in Trash, click Empty trash now at the top of the screen.

Here’s how to arrange and delete files by size in the Gmail app:

1. Open your Gmail app and log into your account.

2. Type has:attachment larger:10MB into the search bar and hit Search. This will show you all emails that have attachments larger than 10MB, from largest to smallest. You can use this format to filter by other size files too, not just 10MBs.

3. Tap into the email you want to delete.

4. Tap the trash bin icon in the top-right corner of your screen.

5. Tap < in the top-left corner of your screen.

6. Tap the hamburger icon in the top-left corner of the screen next to Search in mail.

7. Tap Trash.

8. Tap Empty trash now.

Note that once a file goes to Trash, it will automatically delete after 30 days.

Empty your Gmail spam folder

It’s easy to forget about emptying your spam folder, and it can double the amount of data your Gmail account uses. Emptying your spam folder (or your social or promotions folders) is an easy way to make space.

Here’s how to empty your spam folder on your desktop:

1. Log into your Gmail account.

2. Once logged in, click Spam on the left side of the screen. If you don’t see Spam, click More, and Spam should be in the expanded menu.

3. In your Spam folder, click Delete all spam messages now.

Here’s how to empty your spam folder in the mobile app:

1. Open the Gmail app and log into your account.

2. Tap the hamburger icon in the top-left corner of the screen next to Search in mail.

3. Tap Spam.

4. Tap Delete all spam messages now or Empty spam now.

Person under a pile of papers which have the word "SPAM" printed on them in orange — Don’t let spam bog your Gmail down.

Getty Images

Clean up your Google Photos

Google also includes Google Photos in the 15GB of free storage it gives its users. Photos and videos can take up more space than text-based files so it’s a good idea to go through and delete old photos and videos to make room.

Unfortunately, there’s no option to arrange your photos and videos from largest to smallest like in Google Drive and Gmail, so you will have to go through and delete items manually.

Here’s how to delete photos and videos from Google Photo on your desktop:

1. Open and log into Google Photos.

2. Scroll your mouse over photos and videos you want to delete and click the gray check mark icon in the top left corner of the photo or video.

3. Click the trash icon in the top right corner of the screen.

4. Click Move to trash.

5. Click Trash on the left side of the screen.

6. Click Empty trash near the top-right corner of your screen.

7. Click Empty trash again, and you’re set.

Here’s how to delete photos and videos from the Google Photo mobile app:

1. Open and log into Google Photos.

2. Tap the photo or video you want to delete.

3. Tap the trash icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

4. Tap Delete.

5. Tap Library in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

6. Tap Trash.

7. Tap the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the screen.

8. Tap Empty trash.

9. Tap Delete.

If you don’t click or tap Empty trash on either platform, the photos and videos you’ve deleted will automatically delete after 60 days.

Google One Plan Upgrade when Google Photos Unlimited ends — Photos and videos in Google Photos can take up a lot of storage.

Sarah Tew/CNET

When all else fails, download your files

If your storage is still almost full and you can’t part with any more items from your Google Drive, Gmail or Google Photos, you can download your items and store them directly on your computer.

Here’s how to download your Google Drive files for storage on another hard drive.

1. Open and log into your Google Drive account on your desktop.

2. Select the files you want to download.

3. Click the three stacked dots in the upper-right corner of your screen.

4. Click Download.

5. Once the items are downloaded, feel free to delete them from your Google Drive.

You can also download your emails from Gmail. Here’s how:

1. Open and log into your Gmail account on your desktop.

2. Click and open an email you want to download.

3. Click the three stacked dots next to the date of the email.

4. Click Download message.

5. Once the emails are downloaded, you can delete them from your Gmail.

Here’s how to download photos and videos from Google Photos:

1. Open and log into your Gmail account on your desktop.

2. Click and open a photo or video you want to download.

3. Click the three stacked dots in the top-right corner of the screen.

4. Click Download.

5. Once the items are downloaded, you’re free to delete them from your Google Photos.

For more, check out these 10 Gmail tips and tools, nine Google Drive features you might have missed and five Google Photos features to try now.

Technologies

New Survey Shows High-School Students Say AI Alleviates Math Stress

Many 16- to 18-year-olds surveyed said AI offers instant help, feedback and a nonjudgmental setting that makes math more accessible and understandable.

A majority (56%) of high school students say that AI helps reduce the anxiety they feel about studying math. That statistic comes from to a March survey of 1,500 11th and 12th graders in the US and sixth-year students in the UK and Wales that was conducted by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

Most of the students surveyed (61%) said that AI gives them instant help, feedback and clarification. The results point to anxiety in math education around learning in a nonjudgmental setting, such not having to ask questions in front of other students, and using AI to make math more accessible and understandable.

Results from teachers differed, however. Only 19% of 250 teachers surveyed agreed about AI’s anxiety-reducing effects, but nearly half of them (49%) said they see value in using AI to help learn math concepts rather than just seeking answer to math problems.

The organization released the survey results this week as part of its promotion of its annual MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge, which this year is focused on global warming.

Technologies

Google Pixel 9A’s New Design Might Raise Eyebrows, but the Price Is Right

The $499 Pixel 9A is a follow-up to one of our favorite phones from 2024, the Pixel 8A. Google kept the price under $500 and added a big, 5,100-mAh battery.

Editor’s note: The Pixel 9A is now in stores. Make sure to read CNET’s Pixel 9A review.

The newly announced Google Pixel 9A has big shoes to fill. The affordable phone is the follow-up to one of my favorite phones from 2024, the Pixel 8A, which earned a CNET Editors’ Choice Award. With the Pixel 8A, Google found a sweet spot in terms of features, battery life, long-term software support and overall value. Fortunately, on paper, the Pixel 9A seems like an upgrade in nearly every way to last year’s Pixel 8A.

But the Pixel 9A faces added pressure, as its launch comes on the heels of Apple’s «affordable» phone, the $599 iPhone 16E. The new iPhone, while being the cheapest one Apple sells, is still well beyond the $500 sweet spot that the best affordable phones manage to hit. Fortunately, Google didn’t follow Apple and kept the Pixel 9A’s price at $499 (£499, AU$849), which puts it more in reach for people with a tighter budget, especially as US tariffs take hold and drive the cost of goods higher.

I used the Pixel 9A for about half an hour and was impressed with its build (it feels incredibly solid) and aspects of its new design. I genuinely like that the Pixel 9A’s back is nearly completely flat. However, the phone lacks the distinctive camera bar found on the rest of the Pixel 9 series, diminishing some of the Pixel 9A’s Pixel-ness, at least in appearance. Otherwise, on the screen and under the hood, it’s as Pixel as they come.

The Pixel 9A will be available at the Google Store and at retailers beginning April 10.

Pixel 9A design

The Pixel 9A looks different from recent Pixel A models. Like the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, the Pixel 9A has flat sides instead of the curved ones on the Pixel 8A. But Google’s design approach to the Pixel 9A challenges the boundaries of minimalism. The back of the phone is almost completely flat, with the camera bump sticking out just a hair. When I run my fingertip across the back, my nail catches on the lip of the camera bump, but not by much.

The Pixel 9A is a rarity in 2025: It can lay completely flat on a table or desk. It doesn’t wobble, though the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro with a camera bar don’t wobble either. But the Pixel 9A’s flat design takes things to the next level. And I am all-in on the Pixel 9A’s flat design.

The Pixel 9A’s Design: Google Takes Minimalism to the Extreme

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But the lack of a camera bar seems like a bit of a miss, as I had always found it visually striking on previous Google phones. The bar helped distinguish the Pixel from other brands’ handsets. And while most people will hardly ever see the Pixel 9A in its birthday suit, instead opting to clothe it in a case, the Pixel 9A looks more generic than eye-catching.

In the tug-of-war between form and function, Google went for function and, as a result, says the Pixel 9A is the most durable Pixel A device it has made. The back is made from 81% recycled plastic. I know some people will roll their eyes because of the plastic, but it looks good and still felt solid when I picked it up, and it likely helps keep the cost down. The phone has an IP68 rating for water dust resistance (compared with the Pixel 8A’s IP67 rating), meaning it can be submerged in water as deep as 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

The Pixel 9A is available in four colors: obsidian, porcelain, peony and iris. In person, I really liked the iris color.

The Pixel 9A has a 6.3-inch display encapsulated in a body nearly identical (it’s a skosh taller) to the Pixel 8A, which had a 6.1-inch display. The display’s peak brightness is 2,700 nits, which is nice step up from the 8A’s screen, which could hit 2,000 nits. So it’ll be interesting to see how its screen looks outdoors, especially under some bright California sunlight. On paper, the screen seems identical to the one on the regular Pixel 9.

Pixel 9A camera

In terms of photography, the Pixel 9A has a 48-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide. The new main camera supports Google’s Macro Focus, which means you can get close to your subject — think like a food photo — and have it be in focus. In fact, Google accomplishes this with the main camera instead of using the ultrawide camera like many other phones do.

As for resolution, the Pixel 9A’s 48-megapixel main camera is a step down from the 64-megapixel main camera on the Pixel 8A. But more megapixels isn’t necessarily better, as Google proved for years leaning on its software to boost its photography over other phones with higher-megapixel cameras.

Also, the Pixel 9A has a smorgasbord of AI goodies found on the more expensive Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, such as Best Take for better portraits, Photo Unblur, Magic Editor for removing distractions, Night Sight for low-light photos and more. The 9A even has Add Me, which uses AR and AI to let photographers add themselves to a group photo. I’ve used Add Me on my Pixel 9 Pro several times and am always impressed with the results.

Previous Pixel A phones have always had a solid B camera that exceeded its price. I don’t think the Pixel 9A’s shooters will be as good as the ones on the Pixel 9 or 9 Pro, but I’m excited to see how they hold up, especially with the new 48-megapixel sensor.

Pixel 9A performance and battery

The Pixel 9A runs on Google’s Tensor G4 chip, the same one found in the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. That means it can support Google AI features and Gemini. Notably, the Pixel 9A comes with 8GB of RAM instead of the 12GB found on the Pixel 9 and the 16GB on the 9 Pro. But even with less RAM, Google guarantees the Pixel 9A will receive seven years of major Android OS and security updates (it comes out of the box running Android 15).

While the Tensor G4 chip didn’t win any awards for its performance in benchmark tests for computations or graphics, we found it plenty capable when we tested it in the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. Whether it was playing games, mindlessly scrolling news and social feeds, or just editing a photo, the G4 chip consistently performed well in everyday use. I hope the same will be true when I get to test the Pixel 9A.

In terms of power, Google says that the Pixel 9A has the largest battery of any Pixel A device. When I saw the battery’s capacity listed as 5,100 mAh, I double-checked that I wasn’t reading the specs for Samsung’s new Galaxy A phones announced at MWC. Technically, the Pixel 9A’s battery is bigger than that of any in Samsung’s new phones, including the $1,300 Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Pixel 9A final thoughts for now

In terms of everything else, the Pixel 9A has all the Pixel features you’d expect: everything from theft protection and Family Link (for limiting access and sharing) to Google services like Gmail and Maps. Surprisingly, the new phone doesn’t get Satellite SOS connectivity like the rest of the Pixel 9 line, but compromises always have to be made to help keep the price down.

The Pixel 9A comes with either 128GB or 256GB of storage, three months of Google One, three months of YouTube Premium and six months of Fitbit Premium. I look forward to spending more time testing the Pixel 9A for a full review, once I can get my hands on it.

Google Pixel 9A specs vs. Pixel 8A, Pixel 9

	Google Pixel 9A	Google Pixel 8A	Google Pixel 9
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate	6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate	6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels, 60-120Hz variable refresh rate	6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate
Pixel density	422 ppi	430 ppi	422 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in	6 x 2.9 x 0.4 in	6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in
Dimensions (millimeters)	154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm	152 x 74 x 10.2 mm	152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	186g (6.6 oz)	193 g (6.7 oz)	198g (7 oz)
Mobile software	Android 15	Android 14	Android 14
Camera	48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)	64-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)	50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide)
Front-facing camera	13-megapixel	13-megapixel	10.5-megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K	4K
Processor	Google Tensor G4	Google Tensor G3	Google Tensor G4
RAM + storage	8GB + 128GB, 256GB	8GB + 128GB, 256GB	12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB
Expandable storage	None	None	None
Battery	5,100 mAh	4,492 mAh	4,700 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	Under display	Under display	Under display
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	None	None	None
Special features	7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio; 23W fast charging (charger not included); 7.5W wireless charging Qi certified; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor; Photo Unblur; Super Res Zoom; Circle To Search	IP67 rating dust and water resistance; 18W fast charging; 7.5W wireless charging; 5G (5G sub6 / mmWave); VPN by Google One; Circle to Search; 7 years Android OS updates; 7 years security updates; Best Take; Audio Magic Eraser; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM)	Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 45W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wireless Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor
US price starts at	$499 (128GB)	$499 (128GB)	$799 (128GB)
UK price starts at	£499 (128GB)	£499 (128GB)	£799 (128GB)
Australian price starts at	AU$849 (128GB)	AU$849 (128GB)	AU$1,349 (128GB)

Technologies

Google Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E: Budget Phone Specs Compared

How do Google and Apple’s new budget-conscious phones measure up? Let’s take a close look at the specs.

Editor’s note: The Google Pixel 9A is now in stores. Make sure to read CNET’s Pixel 9A review.

Google’s Pixel A series phones have always offered the essence of what makes the flagship models so great, but in a pared-back package with a more affordable price tag. The Pixel 9A is no different, with the same Tensor G4 processor as the Pixel 9 Pro, along with a 48-megapixel main camera and a vibrant 6.3-inch display. Not bad for $499.

But Apple has just released the iPhone 16E, a $599 phone that also aims to distill the flagship experience into a slightly more affordable package. So how do they compare? Let’s take a look.

Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E: design

The Pixel 9A is the larger of the two phones. Its 6.3-inch screen isn’t a huge step up over the iPhone 16E’s 6.1-inch screen, but it’s enough to maybe make playing mobile games on the move a bit more immersive. However, the iPhone’s display is marginally sharper as it crams more pixels into a smaller space, though whether you’d ever notice that difference is debatable. The Pixel 9A’s display has a variable refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz that helps make animations look smoother and gaming more immersive. The iPhone 16E, on the other hand, has a screen locked at 60Hz.

The Pixel 9A’s Design: Google Takes Minimalism to the Extreme

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Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E: performance

The Pixel 9A runs the same Tensor G4 chip as the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s not a powerhouse processor, but it should offer solid performance for everyday tasks. However, when we reviewed the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, it returned fairly disappointing results on benchmark tests. The iPhone 16E uses Apple’s A18 chip, which delivered much better scores on benchmark testing for both processor power and graphical prowess. For sheer straight-line speed, the iPhone is likely the one to go for here.

Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E: camera

While both phones have 48-megapixel main rear cameras, the Pixel 9A also offers a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. The 9A also macro images, meaning you can get close to a subject and have them in focus. We’ll have to wait and see how the camera quality compares on each phone, but those of you who want a more well-rounded photography experience may find the iPhone’s single rear camera limiting.

Both the Pixel 9A and iPhone 16E come fully equipped to use their companies’ respective AI platforms (Gemini on the Pixel, Apple Intelligence on the iPhone), with both offering a variety of built-in AI tools for productivity and imaging. Take a look below at how the Pixel 9A’s specs stack up against the iPhone 16E.

Google Pixel 9A and iPhone 16E specs compared

	Google Pixel 9A	Apple iPhone 16E
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness	6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120Hz variable refresh rate	6.1-inch OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate
Pixel density	422 ppi	460 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in	5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in.
Dimensions (millimeters)	154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm	146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	186g (6.6 oz)	167g (5.88 oz)
Mobile software	Android 15	iOS 18
Camera	48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)	48-megapixel (wide)
Front-facing camera	13-megapixel	12-megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K
Processor	Google Tensor G4	Apple A18
RAM/storage	8GB + 128GB, 256GB	RAM unknown + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Expandable storage	None	None
Battery/charging speeds	5,100 mAh	Up to 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging
Fingerprint sensor	Under display	No, Face ID
Connector	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	None	None
Special features	7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio; 23W fast charging (charger not included); 7.5W wireless charging Qi certified; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor; Photo Unblur; Super Res Zoom; Circle To Search	Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance
US price off-contract	$499 (128GB)	$599 (128GB)
UK price	£499 (128GB)	£599 (128GB)
Australia price	AU$849 (128GB)	AU$999 (128GB)