How to Recover Deleted Files from Google Drive Trash

Q: I restored a file but can't find it.

It goes back to its original folder, not necessarily the top of My Drive. Search for it by name, then check its location.

Published ✓ Verified ⏱️ 2 min read December 18, 2025 · by Ryan Bennett

You deleted a file or folder in Google Drive and need it back.

Why: Deleting in Drive doesn’t erase the file immediately — it goes to Trash for 30 days, where you can restore it with a couple of clicks. After 30 days (or if Trash was emptied), it’s permanently gone, but there are still a couple of recovery paths worth trying.

Fix 1: Restore it from Trash

This works for files you deleted yourself, as long as it’s been under 30 days.

Go to drive.google.com and sign in.
In the left sidebar, click Trash (also labeled Bin in some regions).
Find the file. If the list is long, click the Trashed date column to sort by when items were deleted.
Right-click the file and choose Restore (or select it and click Restore from trash at the top). It returns to its original location in My Drive.

Fix 2: If you emptied Trash or it’s been over 30 days

Once a file leaves Trash, the self-service Restore option is gone — but try these:

Recently emptied (personal Gmail account): Google can sometimes still recover recently and permanently deleted files for a short window. Open Google Drive Help and use Contact us / the help community to request recovery, acting as fast as possible.
Work or school account (Google Workspace): Don’t give up — your admin can restore deleted files for a limited time after Trash is emptied. Ask your IT admin or Google Workspace administrator to recover it from the Admin console.

Fix 3: When someone else owned the file

If the file was shared with you but owned by another person, deleting it from your view doesn’t put it in your Trash.

Ask the owner to check their Trash and restore it — only the owner can fully restore a file they own.
If it was in a shared drive, a manager of that shared drive (or the admin) handles recovery.

FAQ

How long do files stay in Trash? 30 days. After that they’re deleted forever and can’t be restored from Trash.

I restored a file but can’t find it. It goes back to its original folder, not necessarily the top of My Drive. Search for it by name, then check its location.

Can I get back a file deleted from Drive for desktop on my PC? Yes — deleting in Drive for desktop sends it to the same online Trash, so follow Fix 1 at drive.google.com.

Sources: Google Drive Help — Recover a deleted file in Google Drive, Google Workspace Admin Help — Recover deleted files and folders for Drive users