Where to find and delete your iCloud files

You can delete files from iCloud through iCloud.com on any web browser, or through the Files app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The method depends on which device you're using and what type of file you want to remove. Deleting a file from iCloud removes it from all your devices that are signed into the same Apple account, unless you've turned off iCloud sync for that specific app.

Files deleted from iCloud go to your iCloud Trash, where they stay for 30 days before permanent deletion. During those 30 days, you can recover them if you change your mind. After 30 days, the files are gone for good and cannot be recovered.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleted files move to iCloud Trash for 30 days, giving you time to recover them before they're permanently removed.
  • Deleting a file from iCloud removes it from all your devices signed into that Apple account, not just the device you're using.
  • You can delete files through iCloud.com, the Files app on iPhone or iPad, or Finder on Mac.
  • Photos, documents, and other file types all delete the same way, though some apps like Photos have their own trash folders.

Deleting files through iCloud.com

Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click the Files app icon (it looks like a folder). Find the file or folder you want to delete, right-click it, and select Delete from the menu. The file moves to Trash immediately.

You can also select multiple files at once by holding Ctrl (on Windows) or Command (on Mac) while clicking each file, then right-click and delete them all together. This is faster if you're removing several files at the same time.

Deleting files on iPhone and iPad

Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad. Navigate to the folder containing the file you want to delete. Press and hold the file until a menu appears, then tap Delete. The file goes to Trash.

If you're deleting files from iCloud Drive specifically, make sure you're looking in the iCloud Drive section of the Files app, not in a folder that's only stored on your device. Files stored only on your device won't sync to iCloud, so deleting them won't affect your other devices.

Deleting files on Mac using Finder

Open Finder and click iCloud Drive in the sidebar. Find the file you want to delete, then drag it to the Trash, or right-click it and select Move to Trash. The file is now in your Mac's Trash, but it's also been removed from iCloud.

Empty your Mac's Trash to complete the deletion. Files in your Mac's Trash are still taking up iCloud storage space until you empty it. Once you empty Trash, the file moves to iCloud Trash for 30 days before final deletion.

Recovering deleted files from iCloud Trash

Go to iCloud.com and sign in. Click Files, then look for a Trash folder. Open it to see all files you've deleted in the past 30 days. Select the file you want to recover, right-click it, and choose Recover. The file returns to its original location.

If you don't see a Trash folder in iCloud.com, your deleted files may have already been permanently removed after 30 days. Once that period ends, there's no way to get them back, so recover important files as soon as you realize you've deleted them by mistake.

Understanding what happens when you delete across devices

When you delete a file from iCloud on one device, it deletes from all your devices within a few minutes. This happens because all your devices are syncing to the same iCloud account. If you delete a document on your iPhone, it disappears from your Mac and iPad too.

The exception is if you've turned off iCloud sync for a specific app. For example, if you turn off iCloud sync for Notes, deleting a note on your iPhone won't delete it from your Mac. Check your iCloud settings on each device to see which apps are syncing.

Freeing up iCloud storage by deleting old files

Deleted files still count toward your iCloud storage limit until they're permanently removed after 30 days. If you're running out of storage space, deleting old files and then emptying Trash will free up space immediately. You can check how much storage you're using by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on Mac.

Photos, videos, and large documents take up the most space. If you need to free up storage quickly, look for these file types first. You can also move files to your computer and delete them from iCloud if you want to keep them but don't need them synced across devices anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a file after it's been in Trash for more than 30 days?

No. Once 30 days have passed, files are permanently deleted from iCloud and cannot be recovered. If you think you might need a file, recover it from Trash before the 30-day window closes.

Does deleting a file from iCloud delete it from my computer too?

If your computer is syncing that file to iCloud, yes — deleting it from iCloud removes it from your computer as well. If the file is only stored on your computer and not synced to iCloud, deleting it from iCloud won't affect your computer.

What if I delete a file by mistake on one device?

You have 30 days to recover it. Go to iCloud.com, open Files, find the Trash folder, and recover the file. It will return to its original location on all your devices.

Do photos delete the same way as other files?

Photos have their own Trash folder in the Photos app. Deleted photos go there first for 30 days before permanent deletion. You can recover them from Photos Trash on any device, or through iCloud.com by opening Photos and checking the Trash album.

Will deleting files from iCloud free up storage on my iPhone?

Yes, if those files are synced to iCloud. Deleting them from iCloud removes them from your iPhone and frees up space. Files stored only on your iPhone won't be affected by deleting from iCloud.