Google Drive is the modern-day hard drive to store documents, spreadsheets and memories. However, just like old-school hard drives, Google Drive operates with finite space and running out of room can be a real hassle.
Google offers 15 GB of free space with every Google Drive account. At face value, it seems like a pretty good deal, especially when you compare it with other storage solutions like Dropbox and Box. However, this 15 GB of free space not only includes your Google Drive but also your Gmail account (messages and attachments) and Google Photos.
If you haven’t upgraded your Google Drive storage yet, sooner or later you’ll find yourself butting heads against the 15 GB limit. Fortunately, you can delete files from Google Drive. Those files go into a special folder called Google Drive Trash.
However, the question is, does Google Drive Trash help free up space?
Google Drive Trash
Trash is to Google Drive what Recycle Bin is to a PC. Essentially, you can delete files temporarily and restore them in case you need them again.
The purpose of Trash is to:
Remove shared files from your Drive: If you don’t own the file, it will remove it only for you.
Remove original files from your Drive: If you’re the owner, the file will be removed for you and the user(s) you shared the files with.
Move Items From Google Drive to Trash
Delete files and folders from Google Drive for PC, Android and iPhone/iPad.
PC
Step 1 – Sign in to your Google Drive account
Step 2 – Select the item(s) you want to delete
Step 3 – Click on the trash can icon at the top
Android
Step 1 – Open the Google Drive app on your Android device
Step 2 – Tap Files at the bottom
Step 3 – Select the item(s) you want to remove
Step 4 – Click on the trash can icon at the top
Step 5 – Select Move To Trash in the confirmation pop-up
iPhone/iPad
Step 1 – Launch the Google Drive app on your iPhone or iPad
Step 2 – Tap Files at the bottom
Step 3 – Select the item(s) you want to remove
Step 4 – Click the three horizontal dots at the top and press Remove
Step 5 – Select Move To Trash in the confirmation pop-up
Empty Google Drive Trash
However, if you’re under the impression that transferring unwanted files and folders to Trash will reduce your storage burden, you’re wrong. Google Drive Trash does take a bite out of your 15 GB storage limit. The only way to free up space is to empty the Trash folder by permanently deleting the items in it. You can manually delete items or you can wait for 30 days, after which the items in Trash are automatically deleted.
Permanently Delete Items From Trash
Manually delete items from Google Drive Trash for PC, Android and iPhone/iPad to free up your Google Drive space.
PC
Step 1 – In the Trash folder, select the item(s) you want to delete and then right-click on them
Step 2 – Click Delete Forever on the screen and the confirmation pop-up
Android
Step 1 – In the Trash folder, select the item(s) you want to remove
Step 2 – Tap the three vertical dots at the top
Step 3 – Click Delete Forever on the screen and the confirmation pop-up
iPhone/iPad
Step 1 – In the Trash folder, tap the three horizontal dots next to the item you want to remove
Step 2 – Click Delete Forever on the screen and the confirmation pop-up
Watch how to empty Google Drive Trash for Android & iPhone/iPad:
Troubleshooting Google Drive Trash
Often, when trying to permanently delete items, Google Drive Trash might stop working. It generally happens when you try to remove a large number of items at one go.
Here are three tips to troubleshoot Trash:
Delete items one at a time
Sometimes, items may be corrupt, which creates issues when selecting and deleting a large number of files when emptying Google Trash. Try deleting them one item at a time instead. This might be time consuming but there’s a good chance you will empty your Trash successfully.
Clear the cache
Before emptying Trash, clear your browser cache since it puts an additional load on the browser. The same goes for the Google Drive app. Launch the sidebar, go to Settings and click on Clear Cache.
Give preference to mobile devices
Using Drive on a mobile phone seems to be pretty easy compared to the PC version. Interestingly, many users have suggested that using mobile apps to empty the trash has a higher success rate than the web version.
Google Drive Trash Recovery
Accidental deletion is generally followed by regret and consequence. Fortunately, Google Drive Trash lets you recover data, although to a limited capacity. You have 30 days to recover data from Trash, following which Google will automatically delete the data.
PC
Step 1 – In the Trash folder, select the item(s) you want to restore
Step 2 – At the top of the screen click Restore
Android
Step 1 – In the Trash folder, select the item(s) you want to restore
Step 2 – Tap the three vertical dots at the top and click Restore
iPhone/iPad
Step 1 – In the Trash folder, click the three horizontal dots next to the item you want to restore
Step 2 – Select Restore
Watch how to recover deleted items in Google Drive: