How to recover a file from Google Docs

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How to recover a file from Google Docs

Have you ever accidentally deleted an important Google Docs file that was supposed to stay in your Google Drive forever? Worry not! Recovery is possible when you accidentally delete one or more Google Docs documents. You can restore the original Google Docs document along with all the associated content from the trash. Learn here how to recover a file from Google Docs?

To recover deleted files in Google Docs (just 2 simple steps),

  1. Navigate to the Trash folder
  2. Right-click on your Google Docs document –> click the Restore option.

Where is the trash folder in Google Docs?

There is no trash folder in Google Docs. Whatever you delete in your Google Docs, you can see it in the trash folder of Google Drive. The trash folder consists of all the Google Docs files you deleted within 25 days.

So where is Google Docs Bin?

You can delete your Google Docs file by using the option “Move to trash”.

  • Click File > Move to trash.
trash folder in Google Docs

This trash folder, which acts as a “Google Docs bin,” can be seen only in Google Drive.

How to recover permanently deleted files from Google Docs?

Is your Google Docs file missing?

Sometimes, you can delete Google Docs files by mistake or delete them consciously without knowing that you will use them in the future. Fortunately, you can easily recover your permanently deleted files from Google Docs.

How To Recover Deleted Google Docs

You need to follow only a few steps and procedures to retrieve your deleted Google Docs files easily.

All data is usually saved in Google Drive, the cloud space where documents are stored when stored in Google Docs.

Once your Gmail account is synced with Google Drive, Google Drive gets a backup of your existing data, including photos, documents, and video. Even though you delete Google Docs files from your PC or mobile phone, they are saved in Google Drive for eternity.

The trash never automatically gets emptied, so you can restore your files from the “Trash” folder using Google Drive unless you permanently delete them.

How to recover a file from Google Docs through Google Drive?

You can recover the Google Docs files through the Trash of Google Drive. Google Drive never empties its trash automatically, so it is easy to recover any Google Docs even after permanently deleting them from your system or mobile phone.

There are two cases when you attempt to retrieve deleted Google Docs:

• Are you trying to restore your Google Docs files within 25 days after deleting them?

• Are you trying to regain your Google Docs file that was deleted long ago?

If you belong to the first category, retrieving the deleted file is as easy as clapping. All you need to do is follow these steps:

  • Login to your Google Drive account.
  • Go to Menu and click “Trash” 
Where is the trash folder in Google Docs
  • You can search the Google Doc that you want to restore by using the “search bar” at the top of your Google drive layout.
how to recover unsaved google docs
  • Right-click on your Google Docs file. You will get two options visible on your screen — “Restore” and “Delete forever”
recover a file from Google docs

Click “Restore” to retrieve your deleted file.

Recover permanently deleted files from Google Docs using “Drag and Drop”

You can also simply drag the desired Google Docs file from Trash to any non-trash folder to retrieve your file over there.

 To do this:

  • Just click on your desired Google Docs file and press the left button on your mouse.
  • All the folders are listed on the extreme left panel of your Google Drive.
  • Choose the folder where you want to restore your Google Docs file and release the cursor over it.
  • You can see the file will disappear from the Trash folder.
  • To confirm the restoration, open the folder, and you will notice that your deleted file is right there.

If you are unsure about your file location, click on the “Locate” option that shows off as soon as you restore your file. This will help you to find your retrieved Google Docs’ new location.

The above-mentioned instructions will help you only if you are trying to retrieve your deleted documents within a span of 25 days of deletion.

If you are not the owner of the file and want to use it,

  • Make a copy of the file.
  • Contact the owner to have them restore it.

Recover permanently deleted docs files from a while ago

If you have crossed the time limit of 25 days, you will have to get the help of the Google support team to retrieve your files.

You can google “File recovery — Google support” and complete the recovery form.

To contact the Google support team,

  • Click the “Support’ icon and click the “Help” option.
how to recover permanently deleted google docs

The “Find or recover a file” and “Delete or restore files in Google Drive” support team answers can be seen. Click them to find the support Google form.

Google Docs Bin

Here is an example of the Google form.

how to recover deleted documents on google docs

Just fill out the required details and wait for a response. Keep checking your mailbox for updates regarding the recovery process of your Google Docs files.

Google will recover your Google Docs files only if you are the owner of the file or the lost data.

Once Google completes the process, you can see your files in your Google Drive.

Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive Using Third-Party Backup Applications

There are various third-party software applications available in the market that help you recover your permanently deleted Google Docs files easily. These apps can be used to restore your deleted files quickly.

Recover Permanently Deleted Google Docs Files Using G Suite Admin Console

You can recover the permanently deleted Google Docs files with the help of a G Suite administrator within 25 days from the deletion date.

A G Suite administrator has permission to recover a Google Docs file that is permanently deleted from:

  • Google Drive account of the user
  • Shared Drive 
  • Deleted user account

How a Google Suite Administrator can recover deleted Google Docs files from Google Drive?

  • The first step is to log in to Google’s Admin Console.
  • Click the “Users” option from the Google Admin Console
  • Hover over your user name and then click on the ellipsis icon from the right side.
  • From the menu, choose “Restore Data”.
  • Mention the date range that is needed to restore Google Docs files.
  • Specify “Drive” as the Application, then click the “Restore” option.

How a Google Suite Administrator can recover deleted Google Docs files from Shared Drive?

  • Firstly, log in to Google’s Admin Console.
  • Click on Apps > select G Suite > choose Drive and Docs option.
  • Click on the “Manage Team Drives.” option.
  • Find the Google Docs file you wish to restore and click the restore icon on the right side of the file tab.
  • Select a date range for the Google Docs to restore, then click the “Restore Data” button.
  • You can restore the deleted Google Docs files to the Team Drive that you have selected.

How to recover permanently deleted Google Docs files from Google Drive with Backup

If you do have your own Google Drive files backup with you, in that case, you use the below approaches to recover your google docs files that you have actually deleted permanently.

  • By using Google Takeout.
  • With the help of Google Vault
  • With the help of third-party tools for backup

How To Recover Unsaved Google Docs

One of Google Docs’ excellent features is the autosave option. Once you start writing anything on a Google Docs document, the file and content are saved in Google Drive automatically. You should connect to the Internet or be online.

How to fix Google Docs not saving changes?

There’s no need to worry. Even if you’re offline, you should enable offline access so that your content is saved.

However, a few Google Docs users are claiming that some of their contents are missing or didn’t save, that autosave in Google Docs doesn’t work properly, etc.

In those cases, the possible reason might be

  • For you, the internet connection or network connection might not be proper.
  • There could be a chance that the antivirus installed on your machine is creating some issues.
  • Might be some issue with Google Docs, etc.

To  get rid of this problem, you can find the below suggestions

Make Sure To Enable Offline Access

Check out how to make Google Docs available offline for the complete information.

Ensure the Google Drive Server Is Working Properly

You can cross-check the Google Drive Server Status. There might be a chance the server has some temporary issue and your Google Docs is not connected to the server. So it didn’t save your work properly. Cross-Check if the status is green.

How To Recover Unsaved Google Docs

Make Sure To Verify At Trash Folder

There might be a chance that you have unknowingly deleted your unsaved Google Docs. So just cross-check the Trash folder on your Google Drive to ensure the file is available there.

  1. Navigate to the Trash folder in Google Drive.
  2. Click on Trash –> Right-click on the File –> Select the Restore option.
Why did my Google docs not save

Contact Google Support Team

If still, you didn’t get your unsaved Google Docs file, now time to contact the Google Support Team. They will assist you more with this.

  1. Go to the Google Support page.
  2. If you scroll a bit down, you will see the two options below. Click on the Contact Us option.
How To Recover Unsaved file Google Docs

3. Search for missing file –> Click Next step –> Select Others –> Click Next step –> Choose your preferred contact options.

Recover Unsaved file Google Docs

How long Does Google Drive Keep Deleted Files?

Individual Google Drive users usually have 30 days to recover the google docs files they deleted. After this time span, Google Docs files will be permanently deleted from the ‘Trash’ folder and cannot be recovered unless you have already backed up the Google Docs files before deletion.

Limitation of restoring files:

Restoring or recovering your deleted Google Docs files from Google Docs is not possible if you have deleted the folder structure and its main folder. You can not recover the deleted Google Docs files that are in the “Spam” folder.

Conclusion

I hope you learned how to recover a file from Google Docs and we saw how easy to recover deleted Google Docs by following the above instructions.