How to Delete Files From Google Drive on iPhone/iPad

Deleting unnecessary files from Google Drive keeps your cloud-storage clutter-free, prevents it from reaching full capacity, and makes room for new uploads. If you’re on an iPhone or iPad, Google Drive and the native Files app allow for straightforward file removal.

Whether it’s outdated documents, duplicated folders, or shared items you no longer need, this guide will walk you through how to delete Google Drive files directly from your iOS or iPadOS device.

Delete Files Through the Google Drive Mobile App

The Google Drive app for the iPhone and iPad makes removing files and folders from the cloud-storage service easy. It also allows you to restore or permanently remove deleted items to free up space.

Note: If you don’t have Google Drive on your Apple mobile device, download and install the app from the App Store and sign in with your Google Drive account credentials.

How to Delete Files From the Google Drive App

To delete an individual file or folder from the Google Drive app, even if it’s an item you’ve shared with others:

1. Open Google Drive via your iPhone or iPad’s Home Screen or App Library.
2. Select Files on the bottom navigation bar, and make sure you’re on the My Drive tab.

3. Locate the file or folder you want to remove and tap the More icon (three dots) next to it.
4. Tap Remove.
5. Tap Move to trash.

Note: If you delete a shared file or folder you own in Google Drive, others can continue to access it until you delete it from the Trash (more on that below).

To delete multiple files and folders in Google Drive simultaneously:

1. Long-press any file or folder within a location to enter selection mode.
2. Mark the items you want to remove.
3. Tap the More icon (three dots) on the top right of the screen.
4. Tap the Remove option to delete the selected files.
5. Tap Move to trash as confirmation.

To delete files and folders in Google Drive other people have shared with you:

1. Tap Shared on the bottom navigation bar of the Google Drive app.
2. Tap the More icon (three dots) next to the shared item you want to delete.
3. Tap the Remove button, and then Remove again to confirm.

Note: Since you aren’t the owner, the file will remain accessible for other shared users.

How to Recover Files in the Google Drive App

Google Drive stores files and folders you delete for 30 days, giving you a sizable time window to recover a deleted item. Here’s how:

1. Tap the Menu icon (three stacked lines) on the upper left corner of the Google Drive app.
2. Tap Trash.
3. Tap the More icon (three dots) next to the file or folder you want to recover.
4. Tap Restore.
5. Repeat for other items you want to recover.

How to Delete Files From the Google Drive Trash

Deleted items take up space in Google Drive until the cloud storage auto-deletes the contents after 30 days. However, you can speed things up by permanently trashing items.

Assuming you’re positive you don’t want to recover a file:

1. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the upper left corner of the Google Drive app.
2. Tap Trash on the sidebar.
3. Tap the More icon (three dots) next to the file you want to permanently delete and choose Remove.
4. Tap Delete forever.
5. Repeat for any other items you want to delete from the Trash.

To delete all items within the Trash:

1. Tap the More icon (three dots) on the top right corner of the Google Drive Trash.
2. Tap Empty trash.
3. Tap Delete forever.

Delete Google Drive Files via Files App

The Files app on the iPhone and iPad provides seamless integration and file management with iCloud Drive and third-party cloud storages, including Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox. You can also use Files to delete items from any service you’ve linked it with.

How to Link Google Drive With Files

If Google Drive is not set up to work with the Files app, download, install, and sign into the Google Drive app first. Then:

1. Open the Files app and select Browse on the bottom navigation bar.
2. Tap the More icon (three dots) on the top right of the screen and select Edit.
3. Enable the switch next to Google Drive and tap Done.

How to Delete Files and Folders in Google Drive via Files

To delete a file or folder in Google Drive via the Files app:

1. Open the Files app and select Browse.
2. Tap Drive to view the contents in your Google Drive folder.
3. Visit the file or folder you want to remove.
4. Long-press the item you want to delete.
5. Tap Delete on the context menu.

To delete multiple items simultaneously from Google Drive:

1. Tap the More icon (three dots) on the top right of the Files app and choose Select.
2. Highlight the items you want to remove.
3. Tap the Trash Can icon.

How to Restore Deleted Google Drive Items via Files

You have 30 days to restore deleted Google Drive items. To do that via Files:

1. Tap the Recently Deleted option on the main Files app screen.
2. Locate the file or folder you want to restore.
3. Tap Recover.

To restore multiple items:

1. Tap the More icon (three dots) on the upper right of the Recently Deleted screen and choose Select.
2. Mark the items you want to recover.
3. Tap Recover.

How to Delete Google Drive Trash Items via Files

Deleted Google Drive items continue to occupy space. To delete an individual item from the Google Drive Trash folder:

1. Tap the Recently Deleted option on the main Files app screen.
2. Long-press the item you want to delete.
3. Tap Delete Now.
4. Tap the Remove button.
5. Tap the Remove option again on the confirmation pop-up.

To delete multiple items from the Trash:

1. Tap the More icon (three dots) on the top right corner of the screen and choose Select.
2. Mark the items you want to delete.
3. Tap Delete.

Clear the Clutter in Google Drive on iPhone and iPad

Deleting files and folders on Google through your iPhone or iPad gives you effortless control over the cloud service and helps free storage space. However, it’s essential to exercise caution and only remove items you no longer need to ensure you don’t remove anything important.

Trashing files aside, you can also optimize your Google Drive storage by actively managing content on other Google services like Google Photos and Gmail.