Delete or restore files from your OneDrive recycle bin in Android, iOS, or Windows mobile
Applies ToOneDrive for Business Microsoft 365 admin OneDrive (work or school) OneDrive (home or personal)

Files deleted from OneDrive are kept in the OneDrive Recycle Bin for 30 days for personal accounts. The files can be restored to OneDrive before then, or you can permanently delete them from your OneDrive.

Note: If your recycle bin is full, the oldest items will be automatically deleted after three days. If you're signed in with a work or school account, items in the recycle bin are automatically deleted after 93 days, unless the administrator has changed the setting. See more information about how long deleted items are kept for work or school accounts.

Select your device's OS (Android, iOS, or Windows mobile) from one of the tabs below:

Delete files

  1. Tap and hold the file you want to delete. (To delete multiple files, after selecting a file, check the circles next to each additional file you want to delete).

    Note: You can only delete 200 files at a time. If you need to delete more than 200 files at once, go to OneDrive.com.

  2. Tap Delete OneDrive delete file.

  3. When asked to confirm your deletion, select OK.

Recover a file from the Recycle Bin

  1. Tap the Me icon Person icon in OneDrive app for iOS at the bottom right of your screen, select the account, and then tap Recycle Bin.

  2. In the Recycle Bin view, select the files you want to restore.

  3. To restore the files back to your OneDrive, tap Restore OneDrive restore file

Empty the Recycle Bin

  1. Tap the Me icon Person icon in OneDrive app for iOS at the bottom right of your screen, tap the account you're using, and then tap Recycle Bin.

  2. In the Recycle Bin view, select the files you want to delete.

  3. Tap Delete OneDrive delete file to remove the files permanently.

    Note: Android users have the option to empty the entire Recycle Bin at once by tapping Delete All in the upper right.

See how much storage space you have (personal OneDrive accounts only)

In the OneDrive app, tap the Me icon Person icon in OneDrive app for iOS at the bottom right of your screen, and then look at the Storage Space line to see your total storage and space available or to purchase additional storage.

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