How To Recover Deleted Files In Google Drive

People often use Google Drive to store important files and documents. Known as a widely used website and application, it provides great convenience when looking for a file you’ve saved before.

Yet just like other applications, its storage has a limit. There might be no space left for you to use, needing you to delete some of the unnecessary files you still keep. When you delete a file in Google Drive, it gets transferred to your bin folder, which will remain for thirty days. Within that period, you will still be able to recover deleted files. However, it might be difficult to retrieve trashed files after that period has lapsed.

File recovery is vital, especially if you accidentally delete important documents you will need in the future. Follow the steps outlined below to restore a specific file in Google Drive successfully. This feature is available whether you’re on your browser or mobile device.

On Computer Browser

If you are using your computer browser to recover files in Google Drive, this first method is ideal for you to follow.

1. Open your browser then go to Google Drive.

First, you must go to your browser then navigate to Google Drive. Plus, make sure that your account is logged in for you to see all the files in your drive.

2. Select “Bin” from the left panel.

After you’ve opened Google Drive on your browser, you will see a left panel where you should click “Bin.” This will direct you to a folder containing all the deleted files in your account.

3. Click the file that you want to restore.

Browse through each of the files in the bin folder, then click the one you wish to restore.

4. Tap the restore button on the top-right side of the page.

After selecting a file, click the restore button on the top-right corner of the page, along the menu bar.

If the method above does not work for you, try right-clicking on the selected file and selecting “Restore” from the pop-up options list.

On Mobile Application

There are minimal differences between recovering Google Drive files via the mobile app and accessing the drive via your computer browser. Simply follow the steps outlined below if you are using your mobile device.

1. Launch the Google Drive application on your phone.

First, you must open the app on your phone then log into your account using your Google credentials.

2. Tap the menu icon on the upper left corner of the screen.

If you’re already on the Google Drive page, click the three lines that represent the menu icon in the upper left corner of the screen. This will display a list on your screen.

3. Select the “Trash” button.

Select “Trash” from the list of available options, and you should be directed to the folder containing all of your deleted files within thirty days.

4. Click the three horizontally-stacked dots next to the selected file.

Browse the bin folder to find the file you want to restore, then tap the ellipsis next to it.

5. Select “Restore” from the options.

Click “Restore” from the options to bring the deleted file back to your drive.

Key Takeaways

The restore feature in Google Drive has both benefits and drawbacks for the user. This feature gives you a chance to retrieve accidentally deleted documents back on your drive. However, recovering permanently deleted documents could be more complicated than that. It doesn’t guarantee its recovery and still depends on whether Google Drive’s support team could still get a hold of a copy.