Deleting a file or folder from Google Drive removes it permanently after 30 days

When you delete something from Google Drive, it goes to your Trash folder first. You have 30 days to recover it. After 30 days, Google permanently removes the file and you cannot get it back. If you delete a folder, everything inside it goes to Trash too.

The delete process itself takes seconds — you right-click the file or folder and choose "Delete" from the menu, or select it and press the Delete key on your keyboard. The harder part is usually deciding whether you actually want it gone, since recovery has a time limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleted files sit in your Trash folder for 30 days before Google removes them permanently.
  • You can delete a single file by right-clicking it and choosing "Delete", or by selecting it and pressing the Delete key.
  • Deleting a folder removes everything inside it to Trash at the same time.
  • You can restore a deleted file from Trash at any point during the 30-day window by right-clicking it and choosing "Restore".
  • Permanently emptying your Trash folder removes all deleted files when ready with no recovery option.

How to delete a single file

Open Google Drive in your web browser and find the file you want to delete. Right-click on the file name or thumbnail. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Delete" from that menu. The file moves to Trash when ready.

Alternatively, click once on the file to select it, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. This does the same thing — the file goes to Trash. You will not see a confirmation message; the file straightforward disappears from your main Drive view.

How to delete a folder and its contents

Deleting a folder works the same way as deleting a file. Right-click the folder name and choose "Delete", or select it and press Delete. The entire folder and every file inside it move to Trash together.

Google does not warn you that the folder contains files before you delete it. If you are unsure what is inside, open the folder first to see what you are about to remove. Once you delete it, you can still recover the whole folder from Trash within 30 days.

Finding and restoring deleted files from Trash

Click "Trash" in the left sidebar of Google Drive to see everything you have deleted. Your Trash folder shows all deleted files and folders, along with the date each one was deleted. Files stay here for 30 days from the deletion date.

To restore a file, right-click it in Trash and choose "Restore". The file returns to its original location in your Drive. If the original folder no longer exists, Google creates it again. You can restore files one at a time, or select multiple files and restore them together.

Permanently deleting files and emptying Trash

After 30 days, Google automatically and permanently deletes everything in your Trash. You cannot recover files after this point. If you want to empty Trash before the 30 days are up, click the trash icon in the left sidebar, then click "Empty trash" at the top of the page.

Emptying Trash removes all deleted files when ready. This action cannot be undone. Use this only when you are certain you do not need any of the files in Trash.

Deleting files on mobile devices

On the Google Drive mobile app for iPhone or Android, open the app and find the file you want to delete. Tap the three dots next to the file name. A menu appears. Tap "Remove" or "Delete" (the wording varies by device). The file goes to Trash.

To restore a file on mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left, then tap "Trash". Find the file you want to restore, tap the three dots next to it, and tap "Restore". The file returns to your Drive.

What happens when you delete a shared file

If you delete a file that you shared with other people, those people can no longer open it. The file disappears from their "Shared with me" view. If you are the owner of the file, deleting it removes it for everyone who has access to it.

If someone else shared a file with you and you delete it, the file only disappears from your Drive. The owner still has it. You can restore it from your Trash if you change your mind within 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a file permanently without waiting 30 days?

Yes. Go to Trash, find the file, right-click it, and choose "Delete permanently" or "Delete forever" (wording varies). This removes it when ready with no recovery option. Use this only when you are absolutely certain you do not need the file.

What if I delete a file by mistake?

Open Trash, find the file, right-click it, and choose "Restore". The file returns to where it was. You have 30 days to do this. After 30 days, Google removes it permanently and you cannot recover it.

Does deleting a file from Google Drive delete it from my computer?

No. If you use Google Drive for Desktop (the sync app), deleting a file from Drive removes it from your synced folder on your computer too. But if you just use the web version, your computer files are not affected.

Can I recover a file after I empty Trash?

No. Emptying Trash permanently deletes all files in it with no way to recover them. Only empty Trash when you are sure you do not need anything in it.

What if the file was shared with me and the owner deleted it?

If the owner deleted it, you cannot restore it. The file is gone from their Drive and yours. You cannot recover a file that someone else owned and deleted, even if you had access to it.