How to Recover Deleted Files from Google Drive Before They’re Permanently Lost, by Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery on YouTube. 7 min 3 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 3 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Open Google Drive and click Trash (or Bin) in the left sidebar. Right-click the file you want and choose Restore. It goes back to the folder it was deleted from.
Workspace admins can sign in to the Google Admin Console, select the user, open the More options menu and click Restore data. Pick the date range and the services you want back.
For a deleted account, go to Directory, then Users, then More options, and choose Recently deleted users. Click Recover and Continue to bring the account back.
Next open Apps, then Google Workspace, then Drive and Docs, and click Transfer ownership. Choose the user who should get the files and confirm the transfer.
To undo edits on a Docs, Sheets or Slides file, right-click it and open Manage versions, or File then Version history. Pick an older version and download it from the More icon.
If the file is missing from Trash too, stop adding new files to that drive. A desktop tool such as Wondershare Recoverit can scan the drive: install it, pick the location, scan, preview and click Recover.
Prevent future loss by keeping key files in a shared drive your organisation owns, and check the Trash before it empties. Keep a separate backup of anything you cannot lose.
Tips and common mistakes
Trash clears itself after about 30 days, so restore a deleted file as soon as you notice it is gone.
Restoring data from the Admin Console can overwrite newer files, so check what changed before you run it.
Third-party recovery tools do not always work on cloud files, so test one on a copy before you rely on it.
Search Drive by file name and check Shared with me first, since the file may not be deleted at all.
Questions
How long do deleted files stay in Google Drive Trash?
About 30 days, then Google removes them for good. A Workspace admin can change this retention period for your organisation.
Can I get a file back after the Trash is emptied?
Sometimes. An admin may restore it through the Admin Console, and a backup or third-party recovery tool might help. Without one of those, the file is usually gone.
Does restoring a file use up my storage?
Yes. A restored file counts toward your Google Drive storage again, so free up space if your quota is already full.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
