Google Drive moves deleted files to Trash and restores them from there for 30 days. Open Trash, right click the file and select Restore. Files you do not own cannot be deleted and only disappear from your Drive view. Google lists no other recovery method on its restore page so ask your Workspace administrator after 30 days.
You delete a file in Google Drive and find out a day later that you still need it. Drive retains deleted files for a recovery window and the steps take less than a minute.
This guide follows Google Drive support pages and states the time limit up front.
Where do Deleted Google Drive Files Go?
Google moves deleted files to Trash. Google states that files remain in Trash for 30 days and then they are deleted forever. See recover a deleted file in Google Drive.
Trashed files still count toward your storage until Google deletes them permanently. See empty the Trash in Google Drive.
How do You Restore Deleted Files From Google Drive?
- Sign in to your Google Account and open drive.google.com.
- Select Trash in the left menu.
- Sort by trashed date to find files you deleted recently.
- Right click the file and select Restore.
Drive returns the file to its folder. Open the file and confirm the content before you close the tab.
What Happens in Other Situations?
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| Deleted under 30 days ago | Restore from Trash |
| Deleted over 30 days ago | Google deletes the file forever. Ask your Workspace administrator |
| File owned by someone else | You cannot delete it. You can only remove it from your Drive |
| Emptied the Trash | The files are deleted permanently |
| WhatsApp backup | Google cannot restore it. WhatsApp manages these backups |
If you use Drive for desktop, Google states that anything you trash is trashed everywhere. Restore the file from Trash on the web to bring it back on every device.
How can You Avoid Losing Drive Files Again?
- Check Trash before you empty it. Emptying Trash deletes its contents permanently.
- Store a second backup. Save important files to a second location because Trash is a short window.
- Review sharing. Anyone with access can still open a trashed file until Google deletes it permanently.
For background on cloud services see how cloud storage works. For Dropbox see how to restore deleted Dropbox files. For business controls see cloud data protection controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long are Deleted Files Kept in Google Drive?
Google keeps deleted files in Trash for 30 days. After that Google deletes them forever.
How do I Restore a Deleted Drive File?
Open Trash on drive.google.com, right click the file and select Restore.
Can I Restore Files After I Empty the Trash?
No. Emptying the Trash deletes the contents permanently and Google lists no other recovery method on its restore page.
Why can I Not Delete a Shared File?
You cannot delete files you do not own. You can only remove them from your Drive and the owner keeps access.
Does Trash Use My Storage?
Yes. Trashed files count toward your storage until Google deletes them permanently.
Key Takeaways
- Google Drive restores deleted files from Trash for 30 days.
- Select Restore on the file in Trash.
- Emptying Trash deletes files permanently.
- Files you do not own cannot be deleted from your Drive.
- Ask your Workspace administrator when the 30 days have passed.
Sources and References
This guide follows Google Drive support pages.
- Recover a deleted file in Google Drive (Google Drive support page) support.google.com
- Delete or restore files in Google Drive (Google Drive support page) support.google.com