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I'll be the first to admit that I'm a little too click-happy on the internet. Most of the time, it results in silly errors like having to go to a distant cousin's bachelorette party because I accidentally reacted to the text invite with a thumbs-up instead of a resounding "I'll pass, thanks." Other times, it results in panic. Like when I accidentally delete an important file in Google Drive.
If you're reading this article, I suspect it's because you're in a similar panic mode. If you recently deleted something (or you deleted it less than 30 days ago), there's still time. Here's how to recover deleted files from Google Drive.Â
Note: Files sent to the Google Drive trash are automatically deleted forever after 30 days. But you may still be able to restore them.
Table of contents:
How to recover deleted Google Drive files
Here's how to recover deleted files in Google Drive within the 30-day time window. (I'm showing how to do it on the web, but the steps are virtually the same across the desktop and mobile apps.)
Go to your Google Drive.
In the side menu, click Trash.Â
Select the file or files you want to recover.Â
Right-click your selection, and click Restore. Alternatively, you can click the Restore icon, which looks like a clock, above your list of deleted files.Â
Your restored file will appear in its original location. (If the original location no longer exists, search for the file in My Drive.)
How to recover permanently deleted files from Google DriveÂ
If you deleted a Google Drive file for good (meaning you clicked Delete forever after moving it to Trash), you may still be able to recover it. But there are a few limitations:
You must be the owner of the file.
You can't recover permanently deleted files from Gmail or Google Photos.Â
The file must have been deleted within the last 25 days.
If you pass those checks, here's how to proceed.
If you're using Google Workspace or school account, contact your admin to ask them to restore your permanently deleted files.
If you're using a personal Google account, request a file recovery directly via Google, and follow the instructions. Once you've submitted your request, you'll receive an email from Google letting you know they're on it, and then a follow-up email once they've recovered your files.
Automate Google Drive with Zapier
If you don't have systems to keep your files organized, important documents get lost in the digital clutter. Zapier connects Google Drive with 9,000+ apps, so you can streamline your digital file management without the extra legwork.
You can securely access and take action on your files and across your entire tech stack, directly from your AI chat window. For example, you can ask your assistant to save every email attachment from specific senders to a designated folder, and give you a summary of those files in Slack. Build reliable automations that run on their own, based on actions you take in your other apps. Learn more about how to automate Google Drive.
Build automations from wherever you work. Describe the outcome you want, and Zapier connects your tools, runs the steps, and stays on the job after you close the chat. Combine AI with reliable, deterministic automation across 9,000+ apps. Get started for free.
Related reading:
This article was originally published in December 2023. The most recent update was in October 2026.
