How to Restore a Deleted File in Google Drive - Guide for Docs, Sheets and Forms

Last Updated : 25 Mar, 2026

Accidentally deleting a file in Google Drive can be frustrating, especially if it's an important Google Docs, Sheets, or Forms file. Fortunately, Google Drive provides a simple way to recover deleted files from the Trash folder, as long as they haven’t been permanently removed.

Steps to Restore Deleted Files Using Google Drive

Step 1: Accessing Google Drive

To recover your Google Docs files go to Google Drive and sign in with your credentials.

Accessing Google Drive
Access your Google Drive

Step 2: Select the "Trash" tab from the Left Panel

After accessing your Google Drive select the "Trash" tab from the left panel to move to recover your deleted file. Whenever you delete anything in Google Docs, Google Sheets, and other Google Apps that save the data on Drive, it comes to the Trash tab in Google Drive.

Select the "Trash" tab from the Left Panel
Click on "Trash"

Step 3: Locate the File and Click on Three Dots

Now locate your desired file that you want to recover and click on the Three Dots present next to the File Name to a drop-down menu.

Locate the File and Click on Three Dots
Click on Three Dots

Step 4: Select "Restore"

Now from the drop-down menu appeared select "Restore" to restore the deleted file and your file will be recovered.

Select "Restore"
Select "Restore"

Step 5: Click on "My Drive"

Now click on the "My Drive" button to go to the review the file location.

Click on "My Drive"
Click on "My drive"

Step 6: File Recovered

Now you can review your deleted File and it will be present in the "My Drive", now you can use it any where.

File Recovered
Google Docs File Recovered

Steps to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Google Drive after 30 Days

Step 1: Visit Google Support Drive

To recover your permanently deleted files, visit support.google.com to send a request to your File Recovery.

Visit Google Support Driver
Visit support.google.com

Step 2: Sign in with your Credentials

Now enter your email address and password to sign in with your google account.

Sign in with your Credentials
Sign in with your Credentials

Step 3: File Recovery Page Opened, Scroll Down

Now after signing in with your credentials the file recovery page will be opened and now scroll down till the form to be filled appears.

File Recovery Page Opened, Scroll Down
File Recovery Page Opened

Step 4: Fill the Form

Now fill the form with asking your first and last name and other things, then click on the "File Type" to select the deleted file type.

Fill the Form
Enter First and Last name >> Select "Yes" in File Removed

Step 5: Select File Type

In order to recover your Google Docs files, select the "Google Files" you can also recover your any other type of files.

Select File Type
Select File Type

Now check and tick the consent agreement box and then click on the "Submit" button to send the request to Google Support.

Check the "Consent Agreement" Box and Click on "Submit"
Check the "Consent Agreement" box >> Click on "Submit"

Step 7: Email or Request Sent

You have now successfully sent the request to recover your permanently deleted files.

Email or Request Sent
Your Email has been Sent

Steps To Recover Deleted Files from Google Drive

Step 1: Open Google Drive

To open Google Drive on your Mobile locate the Google Drive icon and give it a click.

Open Google Drive
Click on Google Drive

Step 2: Click on "Three Bars"

After opening Google Drive on your mobile phone click on the "Three Bars" located on the top-left corner of the interface to open a menu.

Click on "Three Bars"
Click on Three Bars

Step 3: Select "Bin"

Now from the menu appeared select the "Bin" tab it will open you all the deleted files that have been delete on Google Docs or Google Sheets.

Select "Bin"
Select "Bin"

Step 4: Locate the File and Click on "Three Dots"

After coming to the Bin tab click on the Three Dots present next to the File Name.

Locate the File and Click on "Three Dots"
Click on "Three Dots"

Step 5: Select "Restore"

When you will click on the Three Dots a drop-down menu will appear on the screen containing some option, among the options select "Restore" to recover the selected file.

Select "Restore"
Select "Restore"

Step 6: File Recovered

Now go back to your file's location that was deleted, you will find the file and now you can use it anywhere you want.

File Recovered
File Recovered
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