How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive
4 proven methods — from Trash restore to Admin Console — with real screenshots, step-by-step guide, and prevention tips.
Hello guys; I deleted some files around 8–9 months ago, thinking I wouldn't need them. Unfortunately, I need these files right now. Can someone suggest a way to recover these permanently deleted files from Google Drive?
— Google Drive Community Forum
Good news: Yes — recovering permanently deleted Google Drive files is possible. Google protects your data through multiple systems: a 30-day Trash bin, local Backup & Sync copies, and Admin-level restore tools for Workspace users. Below are 4 proven methods — pick the one that matches your situation.
Recover Deleted Files from Google Drive Trash Folder
Every file you delete in Google Drive first goes to the Trash (Bin) folder. Google keeps deleted files there for 30 days before permanent deletion. This is always your first option — it's instant, free, and requires no technical skills.
Step-by-Step Guide
Open your browser and go to drive.google.com. Sign in to your Google account.
In the left sidebar, click "Trash" (bin icon). You will see all your recently deleted files.
Browse or use the search bar to find your file. Files show their deletion date on the right side.
Right-click the file you want → select "Restore". The file instantly returns to its original folder.
To restore multiple files: hold Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) → select all files → right-click → Restore.
Screenshot: Google Drive Trash folder — right-click the file and select "Restore"
Recover via Google Backup & Sync (Local PC Copy)
If you had Google Drive desktop app (Backup and Sync) installed on your PC or Mac, a local copy exists on your computer — even if the cloud version was deleted. This method has no time limit.
Step-by-Step Guide
Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Go to C:\Users\YourName\Google Drive on Windows, or ~/Google Drive/ on Mac.
Use the search box (top-right) to search your file by name. Switch to large icon view to browse thumbnails.
Found the file? Copy it to your Desktop or another safe folder, then re-upload to Google Drive.
Also check Windows Recycle Bin — synced deletions sometimes land there too.
Screenshot: Local Google Drive folder in Windows File Explorer — deleted file found locally
Restore Files via Google Admin Console
If you use a Google Workspace account (company or school email like @yourcompany.com), an admin can restore permanently deleted files beyond the 30-day limit using the Google Admin Console.
Step-by-Step Guide
Open admin.google.com and sign in with your administrator Google account.
Click "Users" from the Admin Console home dashboard.
Find and click on the name of the user whose files need to be recovered.
Click the three-dot menu (⋮) on the right side of the user's row.
Select "Restore data" from the dropdown menu.
In the dialog: set the date range, choose "Drive" as the app, then click "Restore".
Screenshot: Google Admin Console → Users → click ⋮ → Restore data
Screenshot: Set date range → choose "Drive" → click Restore
Contact Google Support to Restore Files
When all other methods fail, you can submit a request directly to Google. Paid Google One / Workspace customers get priority support. Free users can still try — but recovery is not guaranteed.
Step-by-Step Guide
Go to drive.google.com — click the "?" help icon (circle) at bottom-right corner of the page.
Click "Help" from the menu, then select "Send Feedback" from the dropdown.
Write a clear description: include exact file names, folder location, deletion date, and how they were deleted. Attach a screenshot if possible.
Click SEND and wait for a response (1–5 business days for free users, faster for paid).
Alternatively: visit support.google.com/drive → "Contact us" → choose Chat or Email support for faster response.
Recover Files from PC / Laptop Using Data Recovery Software
If your Google Drive was synced to your computer and local files are also deleted, data recovery software can scan your hard drive and retrieve deleted files — even after they've left the Recycle Bin. Act quickly — the longer you wait, the more data gets overwritten.
Using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (free version recovers up to 2 GB).
Launch the app → select the drive / partition where Google Drive folder was located → click "Search for Lost Data".
Use the file type filter on the left to narrow results by documents, photos, videos, etc.
Click "Preview" to verify file content before recovering.
Select your files → click "Recover" → save to a different drive (USB/external HDD) to avoid overwriting.
Screenshot: EaseUS scans your drive and shows all recoverable files — click "Recover Now"
Compare All Recovery Methods
Use this table to quickly choose which method matches your situation:
| Method | Time Limit | Who Can Use | Difficulty | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 — Trash Folder | ≤ 30 days | Any Google Account | Easy | Very High |
| 02 — Backup & Sync | No limit | Desktop App Users | Medium | Medium |
| 03 — Admin Console | Extended range | Google Workspace Only | Medium | High |
| 04 — Google Support | No guarantee | Any (Paid = Priority) | Hard | Low–Medium |
| ★ PC Recovery Software | Disk dependent | Windows / Mac | Medium | Medium |
7 Tips to Never Lose Google Drive Files Again
Prevention is better than recovery. These habits will protect your files permanently:
Enable Backup & Sync
Install Google Drive desktop app — files sync automatically to your PC.
Regular Manual Backups
Use Google Takeout monthly to download your full Drive to your hard disk.
Double-Check Before Deleting
When in doubt, move files to an "Old Files" folder instead of deleting.
Star Critical Files
Star + color-code important files so they are easy to track and less likely to be deleted by accident.
Enable 2-Step Verification
Protect your account from hackers who may delete files. Visit myaccount.google.com/security.
Check Version History
Google Docs/Sheets keep 30-day version history. File → Version history → See previous versions.
Upgrade to Workspace
Workspace gives Admin Console access — extends recovery beyond the 30-day limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — but Trash folder won't help. Try: (1) local Backup & Sync copy on your PC, (2) Google Admin Console if you have Workspace, (3) Google Support request, or (4) data recovery software for your local drive. Act fast — the older the deletion, the harder recovery becomes.
When you delete a file, it goes to Trash (held 30 days). After 30 days — or if you click "Delete forever" — Google removes it from their servers. However, Google's internal backup systems may retain data briefly, which is why Support requests sometimes work even after 30 days.
If the original owner deleted the file, only they (or their admin) can restore it. Contact the person who shared the file and ask them to restore it from their Trash. If they permanently deleted it, their Google Workspace admin may be able to recover it via Admin Console.
Google Drive keeps deleted files in Trash for exactly 30 days. After that they are permanently deleted. Google Workspace admins may have extended recovery options depending on the organization's data retention policy.
Yes! Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides keep version history for 30 days (up to 100 versions free). Open any Doc → File → Version history → See version history. You can restore any previous version. For uploaded .docx and .pdf files, Google keeps a 30-day revision history too.
Open Start → search cmd → Run as Administrator → type:attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*
Replace X: with your drive letter. Also try right-clicking the original folder → "Restore previous versions" (Windows File History must be enabled).
Yes! Google Photos has its own Trash bin — photos stay there for 60 days (double the Drive limit). Open photos.google.com → Library → Trash → select photos → click Restore. For permanently deleted photos after 60 days, use the same Admin Console or Google Support methods above.
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