Deleting files from Google Drive is straightforward, but the method depends on whether you want them gone permanently or just out of your way

You can delete a file or folder in Google Drive in two ways: move it to the trash (where it stays for 30 days before Google deletes it automatically), or permanently delete it right away. Most of the time, moving to trash is the safer choice — it gives you time to change your mind. Permanent deletion is instant and cannot be undone, so use it only when you are certain.

The steps are the same whether you are using Google Drive on the web, the Google Drive app on your phone, or the Drive folder on your computer. The main difference is where you click or tap to start.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click a file or folder in Google Drive and select "Move to trash" to delete it temporarily — Google keeps it for 30 days before removing it permanently.
  • You can recover a deleted file by opening the trash folder, right-clicking the file, and selecting "Restore" at any point within the 30-day window.
  • Permanently deleting a file removes it immediately and cannot be undone, so only use this option when you are absolutely certain you no longer need it.
  • Deleting a file from Google Drive does not affect it if you have shared it with others — they keep their copy unless they also delete it.
  • If you delete a folder, all files inside it are deleted along with it, but you can restore the entire folder from trash to get everything back at once.

How to move a file or folder to trash on the web

Open Google Drive in your browser and locate the file or folder you want to delete. Right-click on it (or on a Mac, hold Control and click). A menu will appear with several options. Select "Move to trash" from this menu.

The file disappears from your main Drive view immediately. It is now in your trash folder, where it will stay for 30 days. During this time, it does not count toward your storage limit, and you can restore it at any moment if you change your mind.

If you have multiple files to delete, you can select several at once by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking each one, then right-click and choose "Move to trash" to delete them all together.

How to delete a file or folder on the Google Drive mobile app

Open the Google Drive app on your phone or tablet and find the file or folder you want to delete. Tap and hold on it until a menu appears at the bottom of the screen. Look for the trash icon (usually a bin or trash can symbol) and tap it.

The file moves to trash immediately. You can undo this action by tapping the "Undo" button that appears at the bottom of the screen right after you delete it — but only for a few seconds. After that window closes, you will need to go to the trash folder to restore it.

How to permanently delete a file right away

If you want to skip the trash folder and delete something permanently, you can do so, but understand that this action cannot be reversed. Right-click the file or folder (or tap and hold on mobile) and look for an option that says "Delete permanently" or "Delete forever." Not all versions of Google Drive show this option in the main menu — you may need to move the file to trash first, then open the trash folder and permanently delete it from there.

To permanently delete from the trash folder: open Google Drive, click the trash icon in the left sidebar (on web) or tap the menu icon and select "Trash" (on mobile). Find the file you want to remove permanently, right-click it, and select "Delete permanently." Confirm when prompted. The file is then gone from Google's servers.

How to recover a deleted file from trash

Open Google Drive and click "Trash" in the left sidebar (on web) or tap the menu and select "Trash" (on mobile). You will see all files and folders you have moved to trash within the last 30 days. Find the one you want to restore.

Right-click the file and select "Restore" (on web) or tap and hold and select the restore icon (on mobile). The file returns to its original location in Google Drive. If the original folder no longer exists, Google creates a new folder called "Restored files" to hold it instead.

Files in trash are deleted automatically after 30 days, so if you need something, recover it before that deadline passes. You can see how much time is left by looking at the file details in the trash folder.

What happens when you delete a shared file

If you delete a file that you have shared with other people, those people keep their copy. Deleting it from your Drive does not remove it from theirs. They can still open, edit, and download the file unless you have also removed their access to it through the sharing settings.

If you want to prevent others from seeing a shared file, you have two options: remove their access through the sharing settings (which removes the file from their view immediately), or delete the file and ask them to delete their copy. Deleting from your Drive alone is not enough to remove it from shared folders or from other people's computers if they have downloaded it.

Deleting files from Google Drive on your computer

If you use Google Drive for Desktop (the app that syncs your Drive to a folder on your computer), you can delete files directly from that folder just like any other folder on your computer. Right-click the file and select "Delete" or "Move to Trash," depending on your operating system.

Files deleted this way go to your computer's trash or recycle bin first, not directly to Google Drive's trash. You can recover them from your computer's trash, or if you empty your computer's trash, the file will then be moved to Google Drive's trash folder after a short delay. This gives you two chances to recover the file before it is gone permanently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a permanent deletion?

No. Once you select "Delete permanently," the file is gone immediately and cannot be recovered. This is why it is safer to use "Move to trash" most of the time — it gives you 30 days to change your mind. Only use permanent deletion when you are absolutely certain.

How long do files stay in Google Drive trash?

Files stay in trash for 30 days. After 30 days, Google automatically and permanently deletes them. You can restore them at any point during those 30 days by opening trash, right-clicking the file, and selecting "Restore."

If I delete a folder, do all the files inside it get deleted too?

Yes. Deleting a folder deletes everything inside it — all files and subfolders. The good news is that you can restore the entire folder from trash, and all its contents come back with it. You do not have to restore files one at a time.

Does deleting a file from my computer's Google Drive folder delete it from the cloud?

Yes. Google Drive for Desktop syncs your computer folder with your cloud storage. When you delete a file from the synced folder on your computer, it is also deleted from Google Drive in the cloud. It goes to your computer's trash first, then to Google Drive's trash after a short delay.

What if I accidentally deleted a file someone shared with me?

If someone shared a file with you and you deleted it, it is only deleted from your view. The person who owns it still has it. You can ask them to share it with you again, or you can check your trash folder — if you deleted it within the last 30 days, you can restore it yourself.