How to Check Your Yahoo Mail Storage and Manage Your Inbox Under the New 20GB Limit

Yahoo Mail’s free storage limit has been reduced from 1TB to just 20GB for standard accounts, and hitting that cap can stop your email flow cold. Once you’re full, you won’t be able to send or receive messages, and incoming emails will bounce back to senders. The key to avoiding this is knowing where to find your storage meter, whether you’re using the new Yahoo Mail layout or the old one, and whether you check from desktop or mobile, and taking action to free space before you hit the limit.

Step 1: Identify Which Yahoo Mail Interface You Have

Before you look for your storage number, figure out which interface you’re on.

• New interface – A clean, modern look with a rounded profile icon in the top right (desktop) or top left (mobile).
• Old interface / Basic Mail – An older layout where you access settings through a gear icon at the top right that opens a full More Settings page.

Not all users can switch layouts; Yahoo is gradually moving everyone to the new interface.

How to Check Yahoo Mail Storage in the New Interface

On Desktop

1. Sign in to Yahoo Mail.
2. Hover over your Yahoo or profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Look for the Storage line in the drop-down, it shows your used space and total limit.

If you’ve just deleted messages, empty Trash and Spam to see updated totals. Refresh your browser if needed.

On Mobile App

1. Open the Yahoo Mail app (iOS or Android).
2. Tap your profile icon in the top left.
3. Find the Storage indicator next to your account.

Just like desktop, the number won’t drop until you empty Trash and Spam.

How to Check Yahoo Mail Storage in the Old Interface or Basic Mail

On Desktop

1. Sign in to Yahoo Mail.
2. Click the gear icon in the top right.
3. Select More Settings.
4. Look at the lower left of the page for your storage usage.

Some older accounts may have already been partially updated, if you don’t see it there, check the profile drop-down as in the new interface.

On Mobile App (Older Layout Users)

Most mobile users see the newer layout, but if your app still resembles the older style:

1. Tap the menu icon (three lines or gear).
2. Open Settings.
3. Look for storage info near your account name or at the bottom of the menu.

If Your Storage Number Doesn’t Update

• Empty both Trash and Spam (both count toward your total).
• Close and reopen your app or browser.
• Wait a few minutes after deleting large amounts for the meter to refresh.

Fastest Ways to Free Up Yahoo Mail Space

These work in both old and new interfaces, on desktop or mobile:

• Empty Trash and Spam first – This gives you an instant space boost.
• Sort by largest emails – On desktop, sort in the All tab to find the biggest space hogs.
• Search “has:attachment” – Shows only emails with attachments, usually the largest files.
• Use Photos and Documents views – Groups attachment-heavy messages together for bulk deletion.
• Download then delete attachments – Save important files to your device or cloud, then remove the email.
• Clear Sent and Drafts – Sent mail often hides large attachments.
• Unsubscribe from bulk senders – Reduce future clutter.

Mobile-Specific Cleanup Tips

If you mainly use the Yahoo Mail app:

• Use the search bar with has:attachment, then filter to Photos or Documents.
• Long-press to select multiple emails for batch deletion.
• Empty Trash after every cleanup to finalize space savings.
• If the meter still seems off, check from desktop for the most accurate reading.

What Happens When You Hit 20GB

• Sending and receiving stops immediately.
• Incoming messages bounce back to senders and are lost.
• Yahoo sends warnings with a short grace period before service interruptions.

Upgrade Options If Cleanup Isn’t Enough

• 100GB add-on plans for most accounts.
• Yahoo Mail Plus with around 200GB and extra features.
• 1TB plans in select regions.

Pricing and availability vary by location, check your account upgrade options.

Pro Habits to Stay Well Under the Limit

• Check storage monthly on both desktop and mobile.
• Quarterly cleanup targeting large attachments.
• Regular newsletter pruning by searching “unsubscribe.”
• Archive attachments externally and delete email copies.
• Don’t forget Sent, Drafts, and custom folders during cleanups.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re on the old Yahoo Mail interface or the new one, on desktop or mobile, your storage meter is easy to find once you know where to look. Make it a habit to check regularly, delete the largest items first, and always empty Trash and Spam. By pairing these habits with occasional inbox pruning, you’ll stay far below the 20GB cap and keep your email running smoothly, no upgrade required unless you truly need it.