How do i go to my trash on my phone

Looking for the Trash app? Android phones don't come with one. To restore whatever you've deleted, you'll have to go to the app you deleted from, and then enter the recycle bin.

Like most people, I've accidentally deleted files and regretted it. Most applications don't permanently delete files until 30 days have passed. I've been able to restore my files a couple of times.

I'll be telling you how to retrieve files, no matter the app. And I'll also review some great built-in trash can alternatives.

Where Is The Trash Can On My Android?

Google has been releasing cooler and cooler features throughout the years. So, it's a shame that there is still no built-in Trash app. If you feel disappointed, know that even iOS devices don't come with one.

Although Google hasn't given an exact reason, it's safe to say the application's absence is due to storage space constrictions.

Where Are Deleted Files?

You'll have to go to the program you deleted them from and then open its junk folder.

In the below section, I've run through how to restore data from some popular apps, as well as how to delete files from their junk folder.

Let's get to it:

1. Google Photos App

Here's how you restore pictures:

• Open the Photos app
• Click on Library
• Select Trash
• Go through the folder and find the pictures that you want to recover
• Tap on them and then click Restore

Here's how you permanently delete pictures:

• Open the Google Photos app
• Click on Library
• Select Trash
• Select all the data that you want to delete
• Tap on the Delete option instead of Restore

2. Google Drive

Here's how you restore data:

• Open Google Drive
• Click on the three horizontal lines (on the top-left corner)
• Tap on the Bin icon
• Find and select the files that you want to restore
• Click on the three vertical lines (right-hand corner)
• Click Restore

Here's how you empty its bin:

• Select all the files in the Bin folder
• Click on the Menu icon
• Tap on the Delete Forever option

3. Onedrive

Here's how you restore files:

• Launch the OneDrive app
• Click on the Me icon (bottom right corner)
• Click on the Recycle Bin
• Look for your recently deleted files
• Select the data that you want back, and then click Restore

Here's how you clear the app trash folder:

• Once you've opened the Recycle bin, select all the deleted files that you want to get rid of
• Click the Delete button

4. Gallery App

Here's how you restore deleted pictures:

• Open your Gallery app
• Click on the Menu icon
• Go to Settings
• Tap on the Trash bin
• Select the pictures you want to recover
• Tap Restore

Here's how you empty its trash folder:

• Follow the above steps but long-press the files you want to permanently delete
• Tap the Delete Button

Can You Restore Permanently Deleted Files?

Let's say you've made use of the points and cleared Google Photos or OneDrive's bins. Will you be able to restore what you've deleted? Yes, if you use a third-party tool. There are many on the Google Play Store. However, you can't just download whichever you want. A lot of them don't work.

This is where I come in:

I've reviewed some tried and tested ones below.

But before we get started, I will be leaving you with this disclaimer - you won't be able to recover deleted files that have been overwritten. This happens when you create new files and the system uses up the space occupied by the previously deleted file, thereby deleting it forever and making it unrecoverable.

Related Reading

This tool not only lets you retrieve files from your phone but also from SD cards.

It comes with a free and paid version. The former is not that comprehensive. You can only recover up to 200 MB of storage space.

To make things easier, I've divided how to use the tool into 2 sections; how to use it to retrieve files on your phone, and then how to use it on SD cards.

On Mobile Phones

Here's what you do:

• Go to the MiniTool website
• Download the recovery software
• Root your phone. Instructions will appear on the screen.
• Connect your Android phone to your computer using a USB cable
• Open the recovery software
• Select Recover From Phone on the main page
• A software prompt will appear. Accept it
• Enable USB debugging on your Android device. Follow the instructions that pop up
• You will have to enable software debugging on your computer too. Follow the instructions that you see
• Click on the Device Ready to Scan option
• Click on the File type you want to restore
• You will have to either select Quick Scan or Deep scan. I would recommend a Deep Scan. Although doing a Quick Scan might be the way to go if you're in a hurry, it only lets you retrieve deleted contacts, short messages, and call records
• Tap Next to confirm
• Let the recovery tool work its magic. You will see a scan result on your computer when it is done
• Select the Data type you want to recover
• Choose the Storage path you want the recovered files to be sent to
• Finally, open the storage path and find the recovered data

On Android SD cards

I know what you're thinking - the above steps are a lot of work. Not to worry, retrieving data from Android SD cards is easier.

Now, before I proceed, you will need an SD card reader. You can buy one for a couple of bucks online if you don't have one.

Here's what you do:

• Download and launch the recovery software
• Insert your flashcard into an SD card reader and then connect it to your computer
• Click on the Recovery from SD card button on the main screen
• Your SD card should pop up
• Tap on your card and then click the Next button
• Your flashcard will begin to get scanned
• Choose the data type you want to recover (from the left side)
• Tap on the Recover Deleted Files button to confirm
• Choose the location you want your files to be sent to

You'll be able to retrieve photos, videos, audio files, documents, WhatsApp messages, contacts, text messages, and call recordings with it.

The Dr. Fone tool comes with a free and paid version. No surprise, the free version is not as comprehensive as the paid one. You'll only be able to download a specific amount of deleted data.

Here's how you use it:

• Go to the Dr. Fone website and then download the software
• Launch it
• Connect your phone to your PC/Mac using a USB cable
• Choose the Data Recovery option from the main interface
• Enable USB debugging on your smartphone
• Your Android device should pop up on the screen. Select it
• You can either select Scan for Deleted Files or Scan for All Files. The latter takes longer, but you'll restore more data
• Click on Next to confirm
• Your phone will now get scanned. This might take a couple of minutes, depending on which scan type you selected
• You will be able to preview the lost data afterward. Double-check this (you can do this one-by-one)
• Click Recover to confirm and save

Related Reading

Are There Any Third-Party Trash Apps?

As promised, I will be introducing you to some built-in trash app alternatives.

No, you won't have to spend anything. The majority are free.

Keep reading for some personal favorites.

Many users say that the Dumpster app reminds them of the Windows' Recycle bin, and I have to agree.

All deleted audio, images, APK files, HTML pages, and VCF cards will be sent to it.

Here's how you restore deleted Android data:

• Open the Dumpster recycle bin
• Search for the files you want to restore
• Select them
• Click on the Restore button

Here's how you delete data:

• Open the program and then search for the data you want to get rid of
• Select them
• Click Delete instead of the Restore button

Although the Recycle Bin is not as popular as Dumpster, I prefer it more. You even have the option of sharing data directly from it.

Here's how you retrieve deleted files:

• Open the program
• Select the files you want to bring back
• Find and tap on the Restore button

Here's how you clear its bin:

• Open the app
• Find and tap on the Delete Forever button

Related Reading

FAQ

Answered below are some popular questions.

How Do I Recover Deleted Files On My Laptop?

If you've just deleted the files, they should be in your computer's recycle bin. But if you've already cleared the bin, your data will be gone unless you use a third-party tool.

Let's talk about how to restore data before getting into using third-party tools.

Here's how you recover from the recycle bin:

• Open the recycle bin (should be on your desktop display; you can search for it by clicking on the magnifying glass icon otherwise)
• Find the file you want to restore
• Right-click it and then select Restore
• You will find it where it used to be

Let's talk about restoring files that were deleted when you emptied the recycle bin.

As mentioned, you'll have to use a third-party tool. There are quite a few to choose from, but a lot of them don't work. I would recommend using EaseUS. It's tried and tested.

Here's how you use it:

• Download and launch the EaseUS program
• Go to the exact location where the file you want restored used to be
• Click on the Scan button
• Either select the Filter feature or Search Files and Folders
• Your deleted files should pop up
• Click the Restore button

EaseUS comes with a free and paid version. The free version will get the job done. However, it has some limitations. You will only be able to restore up to 2 GB of data.

Final Thoughts

Although there is no Trash app on Android devices, all apps come with a trash folder. You can recover deleted data from them, depending on how much time has passed.

You could download a file manager app. Dumpster and Recycle Bin are the most popular.

What do you do if you want to restore data from an app, and you've already cleared its trash folder? You'll have to download special recovery software. Although they will work, there is nothing they can do if you've overwritten the deleted data. Some popular options are MiniTool and Dr. Fone. I would recommend MiniTool from the two.

The tips and tricks I discussed will work no matter what Android phone or tablet you own. Hopefully, you found them useful.

How do I access my phone's trash?

Where do I find my trash bin?