Where is Google Drive Trash?

Google Drive Trash is a feature provided by Google Drive that acts as a temporary storage for files that have been deleted. When you delete a file from Google Drive, it is moved to the Trash, where it will stay until you manually delete it or until the Trash is emptied. The Trash is a crucial part of Google Drive as it allows users to recover accidentally deleted files. However, finding the Trash and managing its contents can sometimes be confusing for users. In this article, we will explore how to locate Google Drive Trash, recover deleted files from it, troubleshoot missing Trash folders, and permanently empty the Trash.

Google Drive File Trash
Google Drive File Trash

Finding Google Drive Trash Location

Locating the Google Drive Trash folder is essential for managing deleted files. Here's how you can find it:

On Desktop:

  • Open your web browser and go to drive.google.com.
  • Sign in to your Google account if you're not already signed in.
  • On the left side of the screen, click on "Trash" in the navigation pane. If you don't see "Trash," click on "More" at the bottom of the navigation pane to expand the list of options.

On Mobile:

  • Open the Google Drive app on your mobile device.
  • Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner of the screen.
  • Tap "Trash" in the menu that appears.

Recovering Deleted Files from Google Drive Trash

If you've accidentally deleted a file and need to recover it from Google Drive Trash, follow these steps:

  • Open Google Drive and navigate to the Trash folder.
  • Find the file you want to recover.
  • Right-click on the file and select "Restore" from the dropdown menu.

Alternatively, you can select the file by clicking on the checkbox next to it and then click on the "Restore" button at the top of the screen.

Possible Reasons for Missing Trash Folder

There are several reasons why you might not see the Trash folder in Google Drive. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • The Trash folder has been manually deleted.
  • You are not signed in to the correct Google account.
  • The Trash folder is hidden.
  • There is a problem with your internet connection.
  • There is a temporary issue with Google Drive.
  • The Trash folder has been automatically emptied.

Troubleshooting Missing Trash Folder

If you're experiencing issues with the Google Drive Trash folder, try the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Sign out of Google Drive and sign back in.
  • Refresh the Google Drive webpage or restart the Google Drive app.
  • Check if the Trash folder is hidden. Click on "More" in the navigation pane and see if "Trash" appears.
  • Ensure that you're using the correct Google account.
  • Check your internet connection.
  • Contact Google Drive support for further assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to locate Google Drive Trash, recover deleted files from it, and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter with the Trash folder. Remember to regularly empty your Trash to free up storage space in your Google Drive account.

Emptying Google Drive Trash Permanently

To permanently delete files from Google Drive Trash, follow these steps:

On Desktop:

  • Open your web browser and go to drive.google.com.
  • Sign in to your Google account if you're not already signed in.
  • On the left side of the screen, click on "Trash" in the navigation pane to open the Trash folder.
  • Click on "Empty Trash" at the top of the screen.
  • A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click on "Delete Forever" to permanently delete all files in the Trash.

On Mobile:

Open the Google Drive app on your mobile device.

  • Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner of the screen.
  • Tap "Trash" in the menu that appears to open the Trash folder.
  • Tap the three dots next to the file or files you want to permanently delete.
  • Tap "Delete Forever" from the options that appear.
  • A confirmation message will appear. Tap "Delete Forever" to permanently delete the selected files.

By following these steps, you can easily empty Google Drive Trash and permanently delete files from your Google Drive account.

Bonus Tip: Transfer or Sync Files between Google Drive and Other Cloud Services

This article addresses the question "where is Google Drive trash?" If you’re considering migrating files from your current cloud service to Google Drive, or vice versa, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, it allows for seamless file transfers from cloud drives like Dropbox to Google Drive without the need to download and then re-upload files. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.

  • Cloud Transfer: MultCloud can transfer files from one cloud service to another directly without downloading and re-uploading.
  • Cloud Sync: With MultCloud, you can easily sync two folders between different cloud services in real-time.
  • Cloud Backup: You can backup and restore data between different cloud services automatically.
  • Instagram Downloader: MultCloud can help you download Instagram videos, photos, reels and stories to local device or remotely upload them to your clouds.
  • Email Migration: You can directly back up and save Gmail emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drive in bulk. 
  • Manage all cloud accounts in one place: Connect all your clouds to MultCloud and you'll find it so easy to access and manage multiple cloud storage files with a single login.