There are several ways to upload files, pictures, documents, and other types of content to Google Drive. Some rely on automatic syncing with local folders and outside cloud storage services, while others are manual.
As a result, a lot of files might be needlessly uploaded to your Drive account. They are not immediately lost when you delete them from the main account.
Although they will no longer be visible to you, they will still be there in the background. This is done to allow users to restore deleted files within a predetermined time frame.
So, when you accidentally delete an important document, it does come in handy.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to locate and recover deleted files on Google Drive.
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In This Article
What happens to files that are deleted from Google Drive?
Any item you delete from Google Drive will remain there for 30 days before being permanently deleted if Backup and Sync are enabled.
A storage service called Backup and Sync automatically stores uploaded data to a Google server. When you are signed in, these files are still available from any device.
The ability to backup files also allows for direct management of such files from distant devices. Additionally, all logged-in sessions are updated and preserved when G Suite modifications are made.
So, what happens to deleted files in terms of the end user?
It’s simple.
They disappear from your account and are no longer accessible in any of their prior places or folders. A file’s private shortcuts are all removed when it is deleted, and it could even be hidden on shared drives.
It’s important to understand that any file deleted from the Google Drive menu won’t also be erased from local storage.
The recovery cushion time for files that are not being backed up by sync is just 30 days long. If you discover a file that you believe was previously erased, a detachable memory card can contain it.
Use the built-in file manager on your device to delete its preview. Remember that the Google Drive trash folder has a restricted capacity.
Although they still take up space in Google Drive, deleted files are no longer synchronized with other devices. Keep in mind that when the trash is full, removing anything prompts an instant request to permanently delete some of the things.
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Recover deleted files on Google Drive for the web
The trash folder on Google Drive should always be your first port of call if you wish to restore a deleted file. It retains all deleted things for up to 30 days, as previously mentioned.
If you’re lucky, this period wouldn’t have ended, making it simple for you to easily recover that file. Google kept the tab for the trash folder on its main menu panel on the left because of its importance.
1. Open your favourite web browser and go to “Google Drive.” use your account to log in.
2. Verify that you are logged into Google Drive. You will by default be on the “My Drive” page. From this page, you can examine the recommended folders and file categories.
3. A navigation panel will be shown on the left side of your screen. At the very bottom, choose the “Trash” tab. Directly beside it is a bin icon.
4. This brings up the trash folder. If no files were removed in the last 30 days, they would be empty. If not, you can view recent deletions and their associated timestamps.
5. Find the file you want to restore. Right-click the file preview by moving your mouse over it. Two options are presented in a small window that appears. To instantly recover that file, select “Restore.”
6. Draw a bounding box on top of the files you wish to restore to restore multiple files at once. This operates in a manner reminiscent of the Windows file manager. Then a blue highlight is applied to every selected file. Select “Restore” by performing a right-click on any preview. All files are recovered by doing this collectively.
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Recover deleted files from the Google Drive app
Since you already know how to restore lost files from Google Drive for the web, let’s see how to do the same for mobile devices.
Also, note that the mobile Google Drive apps for iOS and Android are almost similar. Their user interfaces don’t vary much.
For the sake of this tutorial, we will outline the processes for Android; however, they are essentially the same for iOS.
1. On your phone, launch the “Google Drive” app. use your account to log in.
2. Verify that you are logged into Google Drive. By default, you will be on the “Files” tab. On your screen, it presents recommended folder and file parts. In the upper left corner, touch the hamburger menu symbol to continue.
3. A fresh panel descends from the left. It includes several Google Drive options, speciality folders, and settings. To open the “Trash” tab, tap it.
4. If no files had been deleted in the previous 30 days, the trash folder would be empty. If not, you can see recent removals and their associated timestamps.
5. Find the document you wish to recover. For that item, tap the three-dot symbol. A little window appears at the bottom of your screen and moves upward. To instantly recover the file, choose “Restore”.
6. Long-press one of the items to restore several files concurrently. This chooses the file and activates selection mode on Google Drive. Select all of the files that need to be restored next.
7. After selecting all of the files, hit the three dots in the upper right corner and choose “Restore.” Everything is quickly put back in its original folders.
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Why can’t I find a certain file?
There are a few options for recovering a deleted file or document if it cannot be located in the trash. If a file was deleted more than 30 days ago, you can not be able to recover it.
When the folder is empty, everything within is permanently deleted. The same is true for objects that have been accidentally removed from the file manager.
Therefore, if you wish to easily locate and retrieve such data, turning on Backup and Sync is always recommended.
The material on a Google Drive account can be affected if it has been dormant for more than two years or if a user has used more storage than allowed. There is no way to recover a file after it has been deleted in this manner.
Google Drive notifies you through email before permanently deleting your data and gives you many chances to stop it.
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How to recover deleted files after 30 day
A deleted file is permanently erased after 30 days, as previously said. Although there is still an indirect method to do healing after the 60-day waiting period has passed.
You must speak with Google support about this. Although such files have been deleted, Google can still retrieve them from its database. Keep in mind that this approach only sometimes recovers such files and is not a guarantee.
1. Open your favourite web browser, then go to “Google Drive.” use your account to log in.
2. Verify that you are logged into Google Drive. You will by default be on the “My Drive” page. From this page, you can examine the recommended folders and file categories.
3. The upper right corner of the screen has a menu. Select the Support button. By doing this, a drop-down option appears. Click “Help.”
4. Your screen displays a help window that has been reduced. There are a few well-known and generally applicable support resources in this window. To access the “Need more help?” area, scroll below. Please click “Contact us.”
5. There are three easy procedures for contacting Google support. You must first give your inquiry a title. After entering an appropriate title, press “Next.”
6. You are once again given some useful materials in the second phase. Simply choose “Next step.”
7. After that, the contact options will be shown. It often includes email or chats help. Make your choice, then list down every element of your inquiry.
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The bottom line
If 30 days haven’t gone, Google Drive enables you to retrieve deleted files. You can then proceed to access the trash folder, choose the data you wish to recover and click the restore option during this time.
The only practical course of action in such a situation is to get in touch with Google support to see whether a file can be recovered.