Trash on smartphones ASUS is a temporary storage for deleted files, which many users forget to check. Over time, it becomes clogged with unnecessary photos, documents and videos, taking up precious space in the device’s memory. If you notice that your ZenFone 10, ROG Phone 7 or another model ASUS has started to run out of free space, the first thing you should do is look here.

Unlike computers, where the recycle bin is emptied in two clicks, on Android this process may differ depending on the shell and firmware version. In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from standard tools ASUS Launcher to hidden settings of the file manager. You will also learn how delete files permanentlybypassing the recycle bin, and what to do if it suddenly stops working.

Why is the recycle bin on ASUS not emptied automatically?

Many users mistakenly believe that files in the recycle bin are deleted by themselves after 30 days - as on Windows or macOS. In fact, on smartphones ASUS (and most other Android devicess) it works differently:

  • 📅 Retention period depends on the settings of a particular application (for example, Gallery or Files). In some cases, files remain in the Recycle Bin unlimitedlyuntil you delete them manually.
  • 🗑️ Different baskets for different applications: Google Photos, standard Galleries ASUS and file manager File Manager may have separate storage for deleted files.
  • 🔄 Synchronization errors: if the device is not connected to the Internet, some cloud recycle bins (for example, in Google Drive) are not updated and the files remain suspended.

Moreover, on devices with ZenUI (proprietary shell ASUS) the recycle bin may behave unpredictably after updates. For example, after switching to Android 14 some users ROG Phone 6 complained that deleted files did not end up in the trash at all, but disappeared without the possibility of recovery. This is due to changes in the data storage policy.

⚠️ Attention: If you use ASUS WebStorage (cloud storage from the manufacturer), files deleted through it can remain in the trash for up to 60 days, even if you have emptied the local trash on the phone. Check the synchronization settings in your account ASUS.

The easiest method is to use the built-in one Gallerywhich is on all smartphones ASUS default. This method is suitable for deleting photos and videos, but does not affect documents or archives.

  1. Open the application Gallery (icon with multi-colored squares).
  2. Tap on the three horizontal lines (☰) in the upper left corner or swipe right to open the side menu.
  3. Select item Cart (may be called Recent deleted on some models).
  4. Click Delete all in the upper right corner or select individual files by holding your finger on one of them.
  5. Confirm the action by pressing Delete forever.

If the button Delete everything is inactive, it means the cart is empty or the files are protected from deletion. In this case, try the alternative methods in the following sections.

Is syncing with Google Photos turned off (so that files are not restored)

Is there enough battery charge (the process may take a few minutes)

Is the phone connected to Wi-Fi (if files are stored in cloud)

Are all applications that work with media files closed? data. The interface may differ slightly depending on the model, but the general algorithm is the same:

Method 2: Using ASUS File Manager

File manager from ASUS allows you to empty the trash not only for media files, but also for documents, APKs and other types of data. The interface may differ slightly depending on the model, but the general algorithm is the same:

  1. Launch the application File Manager (icon with a folder and a magnifying glass).
  2. In the bottom panel, click on the tab Categories (or Analysis on new versions).
  3. Scroll down and select Trash (sometimes hidden under item Other).
  4. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Empty Trash.

If the Trash File Manager is missing, this may mean:

  • 🔧 The recycle bin function in the manager settings is disabled on your device (see Method 4).
  • 📱 You use a third-party file manager (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Manager), which has its own recycle bin.
  • 🚫 Files are deleted permanently (this happens on some firmware for ROG Phone in game optimization mode).
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If File Manager does not have the "Recycle Bin" tab, try updating the application via Google Play. On some models (for example, ZenFone 9), this function appears only after updating to the latest one. version.

Method 3: Emptying the Google Photos recycle bin (if used)

Many users ASUS by default synchronize photos with Google Photos. In this case, pictures deleted from the phone end up in the cloud recycle bin, which is emptied separately to be released. location:

  1. Open the application Google Photos.
  2. Tap on your profile avatar in the upper right corner → Cart.
  3. Click Delete all or select unnecessary files manually.
  4. Confirm the action by selecting Delete permanently.

Important: files in the trash Google Photos are stored 60 days, after which they are deleted automatically. However, they continue to take up space in your cloud storage (if it is full, synchronization of new photos will stop).

⚠️ Attention: If you deleted files from the trash Google Photos, but they are still displayed on your phone, check your synchronization settings in Settings → Accounts → Google → Data synchronization. Backup to another account may be enabled.
Trash type File retention period How to clear
ASUS Standard Gallery 30 days (by default) Through the Gallery menu → Trash
File Manager Unlimited (until manual clearing) Tab "Categories" → Trash
Google Photo 60 days Profile → Trash → Delete all
ASUS WebStorage 60 days Via the web version or application

Method 4: Settings automatic emptying of the recycle bin

In order not to empty the recycle bin manually, you can set up automatic deletion of files after a certain period of time:

  1. Open File Manager.
  2. Tap on the three dots (⋮) → Settings.
  3. Select Cart (or Manage cart).
  4. Activate the option Auto-clean and set the period (for example, 7 days or 30 days).

On some models ASUS (for example, ZenFone 8 Flip) this function can be hidden. In this case:

  • 🔍 Check the section Advanced in the settings File Manager.
  • 📲 Update the application to the latest version via Google Play.
  • 🔄 Reboot the phone - sometimes the settings appear after reboot.

Once a week

Once a month

Only when the memory runs out

I never clear it

I don’t know where it is-->

Method 5: Deleting files without the Recycle Bin (for advanced users)

If you need permanently delete filesbypassing the Recycle Bin, use one of these methods. They are suitable for confidential data that cannot be recovered.

Method 1: Via ADB (for advanced)

Connect the phone to the PC, turn it on USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return in Settings → For developers) and run the command:

adb shell rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.asus.filemanager/files/Trash/*

⚠️ This method deletes all files from the File Manager recycle bin without the possibility of recovery.

Method 2: Using third-party applications

Applications like Dumpster or Recycle Bin allow you to set up your own recycle bin with flexible deletion rules. However, they do not empty the standard recycle bin ASUSbut create an alternative one.

What to do if the recycle bin does not open?

If an error appears when you click on "Trash" in the Gallery or File Manager, try:

1. Clear the application cache (Settings → Applications → Gallery/File Manager → Memory → Clear cache).

2. Delete updates for standard applications (if the problem appeared after the update).

3. Restart the phone in safe mode (hold the power button → "Restart in safe mode") and try again.

What to do if the recycle bin on ASUS is not emptied?

If files remain in the recycle bin even after attempting to delete, there may be a problem in:

  • 🔒 Protect files: some system files or files from protected folders (Secure Folder) are not deleted using standard methods.
  • 📵 File system errors: if the phone was incorrectly disconnected from the PC or a recording failure occurred, the recycle bin may "freeze".
  • 🤖 Conflicts with others applications: antiviruses (for example, Avast) or optimizers (for example, CCleaner) sometimes block access to the recycle bin.

Solutions:

  1. Check access rights: go to Settings → Applications → File Manager → Permissions and make sure that all the necessary options are enabled.
  2. Use Safe Mode: Restart your phone in safe mode and repeat the wipe.
  3. Reset File settings Manager: in the application settings, find the option Reset or Restore to default.
⚠️ Attention: If the recycle bin stops working after updating the firmware, it may be a bug in a specific version ZenUICheck the forums ASUS (for example, ZenTalk) for known problems. Sometimes rolling back to the previous version of the software helps.
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If standard methods do not work, try deleting files via a PC by connecting the phone in data transfer mode (MTP) in this case, the Recycle Bin is bypassed, but be careful - restoring such files is almost impossible.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about emptying the recycle bin on ASUS

Is it possible to recover files after emptying the recycle bin?

If you deleted files from the recycle bin using standard methods, their recovery is unlikely. However, you can try specialized apps like DiskDigger or Recuva (requires root access). For Google Photos there is a 60-day period during which files can be returned through the web version of the service.

Why is the memory not freed after emptying the recycle bin?

This can happen in several ways reasons:

  • The files are still stored in the cloud (check Google Drive or ASUS WebStorage).
  • The application cache has not been cleared (go to Settings → Storage → Cached data).
  • The system did not have time to update the free space data (reboot the phone).
How to disable the recycle bin on ASUS completely?

To delete files permanently, bypassing the recycle bin:

  1. Open File Manager → Settings → Trash.
  2. Disable the option Use Trash.
  3. Confirm the action - now deleted files will be erased forever.

⚠️ After this, it will be impossible to recover accidentally deleted data!

Is there a difference in emptying the recycle bin on ZenFone and ROG Phone?

The basic principles are the same, but on ROG Phone (especially in game mode X Mode) additional restrictions may apply. For example, screenshots and video recordings of games are stored in a separate folder Armoury Crate and are deleted according to other rules. Check the settings in the application Armoury Crate.

Is it possible to empty the trash via PC?

Yes, connect the phone to the computer in mode data-i="278">and: File transfer (MTP) And:

  1. Go to the folder Internal Storage → Android → data → com.asus.filemanager → files → Trash.
  2. Delete all files manually.

For Google Photos use web version photos.google.com.