How to Recover Deleted Google Docs? [Guide in 2024]

Everyone, or should I say many people, enjoy the experience of working with Google Docs to write those important documents without having worries about forgetting to save their docs, thanks to its auto-save feature. However, the problem now is not forgetting to save the document but deleting it yourself. What if I show you how to recover deleted Google Docs and solve all your anxiety worries? Yes, that’s exactly what you’ll find in this blog. Continue reading to find out.

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Recover Deleted Google Docs in 30 Days

The first place to visit when you’re faced with the challenge of recovering deleted Google Docs is the recycle bin of your Google Drive. If you’ve recently deleted a Google Doc and it’s been less than 30 days since the deletion, you can recover it from the Trash in Google Drive. Here’s how you can find and restore your deleted Google Docs:

Log into your Google Drive account.
Click on ‘Trash’ or ‘Bin’ in the left sidebar.

log into your Google Drive and click trash

Search for your document by name or content in the Trash.

Once found, right-click or click the three dots next to the document’s name.
Select ‘Restore’ to return it to its original location in your Drive.

Use File Recovery Tool to Recover Permanently Deleted Google Docs after 30 Days

Okay, fine. You still were not able to find those deleted documents in your Google Docs trash bin. Well, that’s because the 30-day recovery grace period has expired. That’s bothersome, right? But what if I tell you that those deleted Google Docs can still be recovered? Using a specialized file recovery tool can be very handy if the documents were once saved on your local drive before being uploaded to Google Drive. Here’s a step-by-step guide using a file recovery tool:

Select a Recovery Tool: Choose a data recovery tool like ONERECOVERY, which are efficient at recovering document files, including Google Docs.
Install the Software: Download and install the recovery software on a separate drive from where your lost files were to avoid data overwriting.
Scan for Lost Files: Open the recovery tool, choose the original location of your Google Docs, and start the scan to search for recoverable files.

Filter and Preview: Use the tool’s filters to narrow down to document files and preview them to ensure they’re the files you need.

Recover Files: Select the Google Docs to recover, and save them to a different drive to prevent overwriting.

Use Google Drive Backup to Restore Google Docs

Besides the methods mentioned above, you can also solve the question, “How to Recover Deleted Google Docs?” by using Google Drive backup to retrieve those deleted Google Docs. Follow the steps below to get it done now:

Access Google Drive at drive.google.com and ensure you’re logged in.
Locate your documents in ‘My Drive’ or your designated backup folder.

If using Google Takeout, find the downloaded ZIP, extract it, and upload the necessary files back to Drive.

To restore files, right-click to download or open directly in Drive.

If files are deleted, check the ‘Trash’ folder—files can be restored within 30 days by selecting ‘Restore’.

Use Restore the Computer to the Earlier Version to Recover Deleted Google Docs

Another method you can possibly try out to recover those deleted Google Docs is by restoring your computer to an earlier version, which can be done using built-in tools like Time Machine on Mac and File History on Windows. Here’s how you can do it on both operating systems:

🖥️For Mac Users: Using Time Machine

Connect the Backup Drive: Attach the external drive with your backups.
Enter Time Machine: Access it from the top menu bar or System Preferences.

Find the Backup: Use the timeline to locate the folder with your Google Doc from before its deletion.

Restore: Select the document and press ‘Restore’ to recover it to your Mac.

🔋For Windows Users: Using File History

Enable File History: Set it up via ‘Settings’ > ‘Update & Security’ > ‘Backup’. Connect an external drive and choose it for backups.

Access File History: Navigate to ‘Control Panel’ > ‘System and Maintenance’ > ‘File History’.

Select Files to Restore: Browse the folders, select the document versions, and choose ‘Restore’ to retrieve them.

Through Admin Console to Recover Deleted Google Docs

If you’re still unable to restore those Google Docs up to this point, here’s another method. I am referring to the Google Admin Console. This process is particularly useful for Google Workspace users and must be completed within 25 days of the deletion:

Log into the Google Admin Console using your administrator account.
Go to Users: From the Menu, select Directory, then Users.

through admin console to recover deleted google docs

Select the User: Choose the user whose data you need to restore.
Restore Data: Click “Restore data,” select the date range (within 25 days of deletion), and choose the files to recover.

Execute the Restore: Click “Restore” to recover the selected files.

Conclusion

Have those deleted Google Docs been restored? This blog discusses various strategies on how to recover deleted Google Docs, ranging from using Google Drive’s Trash within 30 days of deletion, to employing data recovery tools or system restore options after 30 days. Additionally, Google Workspace users can utilize the Admin Console for recovery within 25 days.

FAQs on Deleted Google Docs Recovery

Still have questions regarding your Google Doc files? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers that may be very relevant to what you have in mind.

1️⃣How to Recover Deleted Sheets from Google Drive?

Are your important sheets also missing from your Google Drive as a result of accidentally deleting them? Well, here you go with this process to recover them: