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

You can delete files or recover recently deleted files in the Files app. Just trying to make space? You can also remove iCloud file downloads from your device and keep them safe in iCloud Drive.

  • Delete files on your iPhone or iPad

  • Recover files that you deleted on your iPhone or iPad

  • Remove iCloud Drive file downloads from your iPhone or iPad

Delete files on your iPhone or iPad

When you delete files from iCloud Drive or On My [device] in the Files app, they go into your Recently Deleted. After 30 days, your files are permanently deleted. Files deleted from Recently Deleted are deleted immediately and are not recoverable.

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.

On your iPhone

  1. Open the Files app and tap the Browse tab.

  2. Under Locations, tap the location of the files that you want to delete.

  3. Tap the More buttonDelete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (1), then tap Select.

  4. Select the files that you want to delete, then tap the Delete buttonDelete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (2). To delete a single file, you can also touch and hold the file, then tap Delete.

On your iPad

  1. Open the Files app.

  2. Under Locations in the sidebar, tap the location of the files that you want to delete. If you don't see the sidebar, tap the Show Sidebar buttonDelete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (3).

  3. Tap Select.

  4. Select the files that you want to delete, then tap Delete. To delete a single file, you can also touch and hold the file, then tap Delete.

Recover files that you deleted on your iPhone or iPad

If you change your mind or accidentally delete files, you have 30 days to get them back from Recently Deleted. Files recovered from Recently Deleted return to their original location.

On your iPhone

  1. Open the Files app and tap the Browse tab.

  2. Under Locations, tap Recently Deleted.

    Delete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (4)
  3. Tap the More buttonDelete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (5), then tap Select.

  4. Select the files that you want to keep, then tap Recover. To recover a single file, you can also touch and hold the file, then tap Recover.

On your iPad

  1. Open the Files app.

  2. Under Locations in the sidebar, tap Recently Deleted. If you don't see the sidebar, tap the Show Sidebar buttonDelete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (6).

    Delete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (7)
  3. Tap Select.

  4. Select the files that you want to keep, then tap Recover. To recover a single file, you can also touch and hold the file, then tap Recover.

Remove iCloud Drive file downloads from your iPhone or iPad

You can make space on your iPhone or iPad by removing files that are downloaded to your device from iCloud Drive. Your files will be safe in iCloud Drive if you want to download them again. For files that were downloaded from other sources, learn more about third-party cloud apps in the Files app.

  1. Open the Files app and tap the Browse tab or tap the Show Sidebar buttonDelete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (8).

  2. Tap iCloud Drive.

  3. Tap Downloads.

  4. Select the downloaded files you want to remove from your device.

  5. Tap the More buttonDelete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (9), then tap Remove Download. To remove a single file download, touch and hold the file, then tap Remove Download.

    Delete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (10)

If you don't see the Remove Download option, the file is not downloaded to your device.

Published Date:

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

FAQs

Delete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support? ›

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.

Is it okay to delete the files app on iPhone? ›

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.

How do I permanently delete recently deleted files from my iPad? ›

Recover or permanently delete deleted photos

to show the sidebar, then tap Recently Deleted below Utilities. Tap Select, then choose the photos and videos you want to recover or delete. Tap. at the bottom of the screen, then tap Recover or Delete.

How do I delete deleted files on my iPhone? ›

How to empty trash in Files
  1. Open Files on your iPhone.
  2. Tap 'Browse' in the lower right corner.
  3. Tap 'Recently Deleted. '
  4. All of your recently deleted files will appear on the screen. ...
  5. Tap on all of our recently deleted items that you want to permanently delete.
  6. Tap 'Delete.
Dec 13, 2023

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.

What is the point of files on iPhone? ›

Files allows users to browse local files stored within apps, as well as files stored on cloud storage services including iCloud, Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more. Users are able to save, open, and organize files, including placing files into structured folders and sub-folders.

What does the files app do on iPhone? ›

Use the Files app to modify or rearrange your files, folders, and downloads. You can also modify your documents, images, and other files.

Does clearing history on iPad clear everything? ›

In the Safari app , you can erase your browsing history and data to clear the cache on your iPad. This action removes the history of websites you visited and recent searches from your iPad. This process also removes the cookies and permissions you granted to websites to use your location or send you notifications.

Where do deleted photos go on an iPad? ›

By default, deleted photos on your iPad are stored for up to 30 days in a special album called Recently Deleted.

Does deleting recently deleted free up storage? ›

Important: When you delete items to free up storage space, remember that you must also delete them from the Recently Deleted album to remove them completely from your computer.

What iPhone apps can I delete? ›

If you have iOS 14 or later or iPadOS, you can delete these apps from your device:
  • Activity. ...
  • Apple Books. ...
  • Apple TV.
  • Calculator. ...
  • Calendar.
  • Clock.
  • Compass. ...
  • Contacts.

Are iPhone files safe? ›

No one else can access your end-to-end encrypted data — not even Apple — and this data remains secure even in the case of a data breach in the cloud. If you lose access to your account, only you can recover this data, using your device passcode or password, recovery contact, or recovery key.

Is it okay to delete app data files? ›

Never delete your local AppData. The folder consists of data from your apps, so you have basically lost almost all of your data on your PC. It can be recovered, but, the data won't show up in the apps, as the app will not detect the folder after it has been recovered.

Does uninstalling an app remove all files? ›

Sometimes simply deleting the app from your Android device is not enough... files and data can be left over which keeps you from working from a clean slate! Fortunately, removing these lurking files is pretty simple: Go to Settings.

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