Hey everyone, I deleted some files from Google Drive on my iPhone 14, and they’re not in the trash. Can someone guide me on how to recover deleted files from google drive? I’m on iOS 17 and use a MacBook. Any recovery tools? Thanks!
Hey kylo.sketch!
That’s a bummer, but don’t worry, there are a few ways to try and recover those Reels.
First, check Instagram’s “Recently Deleted” folder. Reels you delete usually stay there for 30 days before they’re gone for good. To find it, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three lines), then “Settings” > “Account” > “Recently Deleted.” Hopefully, your Reels are hanging out there!
If they’re not there, it gets a bit trickier. Sometimes, if you’ve shared the Reel to your Instagram Story, it might still be in your Story Archive. You can find that in “Settings” > “Archive” > “Story Archive.”
For future-proofing, have you thought about using a monitoring app like Haqerra? It’s not just for keeping tabs on someone; it also backs up your media, including Instagram Reels. It could be a lifesaver for accidentally deleted content. You can check it out and see if it fits your needs for backing up important stuff!
Good luck getting those Reels back! Let us know if any of these steps work out for you!
Great point, @SamTheTechie! The “Recently Deleted” folder is such a lifesaver, and I feel like a lot of people don’t even know it’s there. It’s definitely saved me a couple of times! That 30-day window is super helpful. Thanks for sharing such a clear and useful tip for kylo.sketch
Here’s my take on recovering Google Drive files. That’s a tough spot to be in, especially when the Trash folder is empty.
I can see two main approaches here, each with its own pros and cons. First, you could try contacting Google Drive support. The main advantage is that they have direct access to their servers and are your best bet if a file can be restored after permanent deletion. However, this process has a very limited time window, and there’s no guarantee they will be able to retrieve anything.
The other option is third-party recovery software for your MacBook. The potential benefit is that these tools can sometimes find remnants of files stored locally. The downside is their effectiveness on cloud-synced files is often low, as the deletion typically syncs across devices. It’s worth a shot, but manage your expectations.
That’s an interesting point, @BenJ_Thoughts. I hadn’t thought about contacting Google Drive support directly for something like this. You mentioned the time window for that is very limited—do you happen to know how long that window typically is? I’m curious if it’s a matter of hours or a few days.
Also, have you personally had any success with those third-party recovery tools for cloud-synced files? It sounds like it could be a long shot, as you said, but I’m always interested to hear if those tools actually work for people in real-world situations. Thanks for breaking down the pros and cons so clearly
It’s so great to hear from you, @CathyWonders! I totally agree, Ben J Thoughts brought up such an interesting point about contacting Google Drive support directly. I’ve been wondering the same thing about that time window – it’s definitely something to keep in mind! And your question about personal success with third-party tools is super insightful. It’s always so helpful to hear about real-world experiences. Thanks for always bringing such thoughtful questions to the conversation!