Delete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

Can I recover deleted files from files on iPhone? ›

Open the Files app and tap the Browse tab. Under Locations, tap Recently Deleted. , then tap Select. Select the files that you want to keep, then tap Recover.

On your iPad

Open the Files app. Tap Select. Select the files you want to keep, then tap Recover. To recover a single file, you can also touch and hold the file, then tap Recover.

The Files app allows you to access files in your iCloud Drive. If you delete the app you can still access the files through iCloud.com.

You can restore recently deleted photos and videos that are still in your trash. Items that are permanently deleted can't be restored. Backed up photos and videos stay in your trash for 60 days. Photos and videos that weren't backed up stay in your trash for 30 days.

Open Photos on your iPhone or iPad, then scroll down to and tap Utilities > Recently Deleted (iOS) or just Recently Deleted from the left-hand navigation pane (iPadOS). Tap on any photo or video to bring up options to Recover the file (put it back where it was) or Delete the file (permanently erase it).

Once permanently deleted, photos and videos are gone. They can't be recovered. Because Permanent is Permanent. It can't be made much clearer than that.

A factory restore erases the information and settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod and installs the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or iPod software.

If your missing photo or video is in your trash, you may restore it. If your missing photo or video isn't in your trash, it may be permanently deleted.

On iCloud.com, you can recover files deleted from both iCloud Drive and other apps within the last 30 days, whether you deleted them on iCloud.com or another device that has iCloud Drive turned on. However, you can't recover or restore files you permanently remove.

Delete files on your iPhone or iPad

If you delete files from iCloud Drive on one device, iCloud Drive removes the files from every device that you're signed in to with the same Apple ID. Learn more about how to delete folders or files in iCloud Drive.

How to see deleted files? ›

Check the Recycle Bin

When files have been deleted or even lost, the Recycle Bin is always the number one place to check. On almost all computer systems, once a file has been deleted this is the place it will end up next.

Go to the Photos app on your iPad. Tap Utilities in the sidebar, then tap Recently Deleted. Tap Select, then choose the photos and videos you want to recover or delete. at the bottom of the screen, then tap Recover or Delete.

To Recover Deleted Files on iPhone iPad without Backup:

Free Download PhoneRescue for iOS on your computer > Run it > Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer via a USB cable > Choose Recover from iOS Device. By default, all file types are checked.

Press the Windows key, enter Windows File Recovery in the search box, and then select Windows File Recovery. When you are prompted to allow the app to make changes to your device, select Yes. There are 2 basic modes you can use to recover files: Regular and Extensive.

If you can't find a file on your computer or you accidently modified or deleted a file, you can restore it from a backup (if you're using Windows backup) or you can try to restore it from a previous version. Previous versions are copies of files and folders that Windows automatically saves as part of a restore point.

Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable. Run iOS Data Recovery and locate the Recover from iOS Device option. Then click Start Scan to scan and analyze your iPhone internal memory. The scanned data files (both existing and deleted) will be categorized into Message & Contacts, Media, Memos & Others.

Press the Windows key, enter Windows File Recovery in the search box, and then select Windows File Recovery. When you are prompted to allow the app to make changes to your device, select Yes. There are 2 basic modes you can use to recover files: Regular and Extensive.

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Files app. Don't see the blue Files app icon on your Home Screen? Just swipe down, then search for the Files app. In the Files app, search or browse for the file that you want.