Delete files in Google Drive

Important: If you delete or permanently delete multiple files or folders at once, it can take time for you to notice the changes.

To delete your Google Drive files, move them to the bin. Files in the bin are permanently deleted after 30 days.

To delete your files forever, click Empty bin.

Learn what happens when you delete a file

Learn how to recover a deleted file

Move a file to the bin

To remove a file from your Drive, you can put it in your bin. The file will stay in your bin for 30 days before being automatically deleted.

If you're the owner of the file, others can access it until you permanently delete the file. If you're not the owner, others can access the file even if you empty your bin.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Drive app.
2. Next to the file that you want to delete, tap More .
3. At the bottom, tap Remove.

Permanently delete files

Permanently delete an individual file

You can permanently delete an individual file or empty your bin. After you've deleted a file, anyone who you've shared the file with will lose access to it. If you want others to still access the file, you can give ownership to someone else.

1. At the top left, tap Menu .
2. Tap Bin.
3. Next to the file that you'd like to delete, tap More .
4. Tap Delete forever.

Permanently delete all files in your bin

1. At the top left, tap Menu .
2. Tap Bin.
3. Make sure that there are no files that you'll want later.
4. At the top right, tap More .
5. Tap Empty bin.