How to Restore Deleted Files in Google Drive

To restore a deleted file in Google Drive on a computer, open drive.google.com, choose Trash in the left sidebar, right-click the item, and choose Restore. Files normally remain in Trash for 30 days before automatic permanent deletion. If you cannot see the file, check the Google Account you are using and whether the file was shared or stored in a shared drive. Recovery of permanently deleted items is not guaranteed.

Find Trash

1. Open Google Drive in a browser and sign in to the account that held the file.
2. In the left navigation, select Trash. On some screen sizes or app versions, you may need to open the navigation menu first.
3. Use the file list and its Trashed date information to locate the item. Search Drive too if you are unsure that it was deleted.

Google’s current desktop help calls the folder Trash. Labels and navigation can differ by device or language.

Restore a file or folder

1. In Trash, locate the file or folder.
2. Right-click the item and choose Restore.
3. Search for the restored item or return to its previous folder if needed.

Restoring returns an item from Trash to Drive. A folder may not return to its original location if that parent folder has since been deleted or is no longer accessible. If you cannot find it, search Drive and check My Drive for unorganized files.

On a phone or tablet, open the Drive app, open its menu, go to Trash, tap the item’s more-options menu, and choose Restore if that option is available. App labels can vary by platform and version; the browser steps above follow Google’s documented computer workflow.

Know the retention limits

Google says items in Trash are permanently deleted after 30 days. Emptying Trash or choosing Delete forever removes items sooner. Do not assume a permanently deleted file can always be recovered.

If an item is still in Trash, restore it as soon as possible. If it has been permanently deleted, check Google’s current recovery guidance promptly. For a work or school account, contact your administrator; administrator recovery options have their own limits and may not apply to every item or account.

Personal accounts, work accounts, and shared drives

For personal accounts, first verify you are signed in to the account that owned or stored the item. Google’s recovery help may offer additional steps for eligible items, but it does not guarantee recovery.

For an organization’s Google Workspace account, administrators may have recovery options for a limited period after deletion. Ask the Workspace administrator as soon as possible and provide the file name, approximate deletion date, and account. Google’s current admin guidance determines the exact period and conditions.

Shared drives are owned by an organization rather than an individual. Each shared drive has its own Trash, and only members with suitable access can restore items. Google’s guidance says members with Contributor access or above may restore shared-drive files; permissions and organization policies can affect what you can do. Contact a shared-drive manager if the item is missing or Restore is unavailable.

If someone else owned a file shared with you, deleting or removing it from your Drive may not be the same as deleting the owner’s file. The owner may still have it and can share it with you again. If access disappeared, ask the owner to check the sharing settings or whether the file was moved.

If the file is not in Trash

Check these possibilities before assuming it is permanently gone:

1. Switch accounts. If you use personal, school, and work Google Accounts, check each one.
2. Search Drive. Search by the full or partial file name, or filter by type and owner. The file may have been moved instead of deleted.
3. Check shared files. The owner may have removed your access or moved the file to a folder you cannot open. Ask the owner to confirm.
4. Check shared-drive Trash. Open the relevant shared drive and inspect its Trash. Ask a manager if you do not have permission to restore.
5. Look for an unorganized file. If a parent folder was removed or access changed, a file you own may be difficult to locate. Search Drive for is:unorganized and move any results you own to a folder you can access.
6. Check local copies. If you synced or downloaded the file, look in your computer’s Recycle Bin/Trash and any backups.

When to ask an administrator or Google support

If a work or school file is missing from Trash, contact your Workspace administrator quickly. For a shared-drive item, ask a manager to check the drive’s Trash and access settings. If you use a personal account and the item was permanently deleted recently, consult Google’s official recovery options while they remain available. Have the account, file name, and approximate deletion date ready. Support availability and eligibility vary; recovery is never assured.

Frequently asked questions

How long do deleted Google Drive files stay in Trash?

Google says files stay in Trash for 30 days, after which they are permanently deleted, unless Trash is emptied or the item is deleted forever sooner.

Where does a restored file go?

Drive restores the item from Trash. If the original folder no longer exists or you no longer have access, search Drive and check for unorganized files; you may need to choose an accessible folder.

Can I restore a file after emptying Trash?

Possibly in some eligible circumstances, but it is not guaranteed. Check Google’s official recovery route promptly or contact your Workspace administrator for an organizational account.

Can I restore a file from a shared drive?

A member with sufficient permission may be able to restore it from that shared drive’s Trash. Ask a shared-drive manager if you cannot see the Trash or restore the item.

Related guides

• How to remove duplicates in Google Sheets
• Browse all ToolTroubles tutorials

Official references

• Recover a deleted file in Google Drive
• Find lost files in Google Drive
• What are shared drives?