Where Is the iPhone Files App Trash?
iPhone Files app Recently Deleted folder with 30-day recovery for local files.
Last updated
The Files app keeps deleted local files in Recently Deleted for 30 days before permanent removal, separate from per-app trash like Photos. iCloud Drive deletions sync the same grace period across devices.
Recovery means moving files back before expiry. After 30 days the system purges them with no second chances.
Where iOS stores this, by platform
Files > Browse > Locations > Recently Deleted
Holds deleted On My iPhone files for 30 days with recover and delete-now options. iCloud Drive deletions appear here too and sync the countdown everywhere. Third-party provider files follow their own trash rules outside this folder.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recover a deleted iPhone file?
Open Recently Deleted in Files above and move it back within 30 days. Expired files cannot return without a backup.
Where do deleted iCloud files go?
Into the same Recently Deleted folder above, syncing deletion and recovery across every signed-in device.
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