Questions

Cloud file questions, answered short

Start with the question closest to yours, or look up a term.

Is my file gone if it isn’t in the trash?

Not always. A synced device, iCloud Data Recovery, a Workspace admin or the file’s owner may still have a copy.

How long does Google Drive keep deleted files?

Google Drive Help says files remain in Trash for 30 days, then they’re deleted forever.

Does OneDrive keep deleted files longer for work accounts?

Microsoft says personal accounts can restore files deleted within 30 days, work or school accounts within 93 days, unless the administrator changed it.

I emptied Recently Deleted on my iPhone. Can I get it back?

Apple says files deleted from Recently Deleted are deleted immediately. Check iCloud.com Data Recovery and other devices, but there may be no copy left.

Someone deleted a file they shared with me.

Only the owner can restore it from their own trash. Google suggests contacting the owner to check your permissions.

Can a recovery service get back a permanently deleted cloud file?

If no copy remains with the provider, on your devices or in a backup, there is nothing to restore from. Be wary of any offer that promises a certain result.

Does restoring a file restore my account?

No. Account access and file recovery are separate jobs; sign-in comes first.

Terms

Trash / Recycle bin: Where a provider keeps deleted files for a limited time.
Recently Deleted: Apple’s name for the deleted-files folder in iCloud Drive and the Files app.
Data Recovery: An iCloud.com tool to restore files that are no longer in Recently Deleted.
Version history: Earlier saved states of a file that still exists.
Owner: The account a shared file belongs to; only it can restore that file.
Retention: How long a provider or admin keeps deleted items.