How to Empty Google Drive Trash at Once on Mobile and PC

How to Empty Google Drive Trash at Once on Mobile and PC

Usually, when you delete files from Google Drive, they are sent to the Trash or Trash folder on the Drive. Google Drive permanently deletes files from the recycle bin after 30 days. What if you want to clean your Trash folder to free up space manually or for some other reason? We will guide you in much the same way. You will learn how to delete or delete all files from Google Drive Recycle Bin at once in this article.


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We’ve also covered what happens when you delete files from the Recycle Bin. And various ways to fix the problem if the trash emptying doesn’t work. Let’s start with the computer, followed by the Google Drive mobile apps i.e. Android, iPhone and iPad.

Note: Once you empty the recycle bin, you won’t notice the changes immediately. You may need to wait at least 24 hours for all files to be permanently deleted. So don’t think that emptying the trash doesn’t work.

How to Empty Trash from Google Drive at the Same Time on PC

There are two ways to empty Trash in Google Drive at the same time using laptop or desktop.

Method 1: delete all files using the dedicated button

Step 1: Launch the Google Drive website and sign in with your account.

2nd step: Click on the Trash or Trash folder present in the left sidebar of Google Drive.


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Step 3: You will be redirected to the Trash or Trash folder. Click the Empty Trash or Empty Trash button in the upper right corner of the screen.


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Note: If you don’t see the Empty Trash or Empty Trash buttons, you will find the Trash option on the left side with a small down arrow. Click the arrow and choose Empty Trash from the menu.

Step 4: A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click the Permanently delete button.


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Point: Can’t delete files from Google Drive? Find out 7 Ways to Fix Google Drive Not Deleting Files Issue.

Method 2: delete all files by selecting them

If the previous method doesn’t work or you don’t see the Empty Trash / Trash buttons, don’t worry. There is another way. In this method, you will have to select all the files manually and then delete them.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Open the Google Drive website and click on the Trash or Trash folder in the left sidebar.


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2nd step: In the Trash or Trash folder, use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + A (Windows) and Command + A (Mac) to select all files. You will see that all files and folders are selected when they turn blue.

Point: If all files are not selected, refresh the page once. Or select a file, then use the keyboard shortcut to select more.


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Step 3: With all the files selected in the recycle bin or trash can, click the delete icon at the top. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click Permanently delete.


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How to Empty Google Drive Trash on Android

Step 1: Launch the Android Google Drive app. Tap the three-bar icon at the top to open the sidebar. Select Recycle Bin or Recycle Bin from the menu.


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2nd step: Touch and hold one of the files in the Trash folder to select it. Once selected, press the Select All button at the top. This will select all the files in the recycle bin.


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Point: To delete a single file from the recycle bin, select it, and then tap the three dots icon next to the file. Select Permanently delete.

Step 3: With all files selected, tap the three-dot icon at the top. Choose Permanently delete from the menu.


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How to Completely Empty Google Drive Trash on iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Launch the Google Drive app for iPhone or iPad.

2nd step: Tap the three-bar icon to open the sidebar. Tap Trash or Trash.


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Step 3: Inside the recycle bin or trash can, tap the three-dot icon at the top. Select Empty Bin from the menu.


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Also on Guiding Tech

Troubleshoot: Empty Google Drive Recycle Bin not working

Many users cannot empty Google Drive Recycle Bin at once. If you are one of them, here are some of the ways to fix the problem.

1. Be patient

Deleting all files from Google Drive recycle bin takes time. You should wait at least twenty-four hours and then check it out.


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3. Clear trash using mobile apps

Many Google Drive users suggested that using mobile apps instead of the web version to empty the trash worked for them. So give it a try. But be patient after trying it.

Google Drive automatically empties the recycle bin

Now that you know how to empty Google Drive Recycle Bin, you should do it whenever you can. Otherwise, Google will delete these items from the Recycle Bin every 30 days anyway, just like the Google Photo Recycle Bin. The recovered storage will automatically appear as available space in Google Drive.

Then:

Not sure whether or not the Google Drive Recycle Bin counts towards the Drive storage quota? Find the answer using our Google Drive storage guide in the following article.

Last updated on Nov 28, 2020

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