[Solved]: How to Recover Deleted Google Docs?

About Google Docs

Google Docs is a cloud-based document processing tool offered by Google. It is widely used for creating, editing, and sharing documents. Files generated with it are stored on Google Drive. When you make changes to these files, they are automatically saved to your Google Drive in real time.

Unlike Microsoft Word, Google Docs is more suitable for real-time collaboration and compatible with most platforms, making it a popular choice for many users.

Can You Recover Deleted Google Docs?

Accidental file deletion occurs frequently during regular tasks, and Google Docs is no exception. For example, you may unintentionally delete important files when managing them in Google Drive or remove files in bulk without realizing a critical document was included. 

How to recover deleted Google Docs files? Losing files unexpectedly can be frustrating, but recovering deleted Google Docs files is often possible. By choosing the right methods, you can restore your files quickly and effortlessly.

How to Recover Deleted Google Docs?

This section outlines five effective ways to recover deleted Google Docs files, both using built-in options and professional tools. If you’re facing the same issue, keep reading to find a solution that works for you.

Method 1. Recover from Google Drive Trash

As mentioned earlier, Google Doc files are automatically stored on Google Drive. That is to say, you can recover deleted files on Google Drive, which includes a feature called Trash to temporarily store deleted items. This feature allows you to recover deleted files before they are permanently removed.

Follow these steps to recover deleted Google Docs:

Step 1: Open Google Drive and sign in with your account.

Step 2: Click on the panel at the top left corner and select Trash.

Step 3: Find your deleted worksheet, right-click it, and choose Restore.

Method 2. Recover Using Google Drive Restore

Additionally, if you are a Google Workspace administrator, you can use the Google Drive Restore feature to recover deleted Google Docs files for users in your team. Even if the files have been permanently removed from the Trash, you can restore them within 25 days.

Here’s how to recover deleted Google Docs using this feature:

Step 1: Log in to your G Suite Admin account and select Users on the Admin console.

Step 2: Right-click the user whose files you want to recover and click the More button.

Step 3: After selecting Restore data from the menu, a window will show up.

Step 4: By clicking the Restore option, all deleted files from the last 25 days will be restored. Alternatively, you can narrow the recovery scope by setting a specific date range.

Method 3. Recover Deleted Google Docs Files Using Software

If your Google Docs files have been deleted from the Trash and you don’t have administrator rights, is there still a way to restore them? Don’t worry! Professional data recovery software can help you retrieve your files. As long as your files were previously saved to local drives, they can often be recovered.

AOMEI FastRecovery is a reliable and efficient software designed to recover lost or deleted files from various devices. Whether the files were accidentally deleted or lost due to formatting and system crashes, AOMEI FastRecovery provides a user-friendly way to restore your data.

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Why Choose This Tool?

Works with Various Storage Devices: Supports recovery from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and other common devices.

Compatible with Most Windows Versions: Works on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Windows Server.

File Preview Before Recovery: Allows you to check files before restoring them to make sure you're recovering the right ones.

Here’s how to recover deleted Google Docs after 30 days using AOMEI FastRecovery:

Step 1: Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery; then choose the exact partition or disk where your data was lost and click Scan.

Step 2: Then, the software will start to scan your device. It will execute the Quickly Scan first for finding your deleted data fast and then execute the Deep Scan for searching other lost data.

Step 3: Once the scan is completed, all deleted files will be displayed. Please select the file you want to recover and click the Recover button.

Step 4: Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files and wait patiently for this process of recovering to end.

Method 4. Recover Deleted Google Docs via Shared Access

If your Google Doc file was shared with others before deletion, you may still be able to recover it through their access. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Contact the people you’ve shared the file with.

Step 2: If they have saved the file, ask them to share it with you again.

Step 3: Once the file is shared back with you, open it in Google Docs and save it to a safe location.

Method 5. Ask for Help from Google Drive Support

You might need to seek help from Google Drive support if the methods mentioned above cannot help you recover deleted Google Docs files. To assist users in recovering permanently deleted files or inaccessible files, Google offers specialized support options. Depending on your loss scenarios, you can ask for help from their support team directly or refer to the help center resources to find the best solution.

FAQs on Google Docs Recovery

Q1: Can I restore permanently deleted Google Docs files?

If a Google Doc has been permanently deleted, it’s usually not recoverable through standard methods. However, if you are a Google Workspace administrator, you can recover deleted Google Docs files for users in your team within 25 days. Alternatively, consider using professional recovery software if your files have been saved to local drives beforehand.

Q2: Can I restore a deleted Google Docs file without relying on Google Drive?

In general, it is very difficult to recover Google Docs files without relying on Google Drive, especially if there is no backups. This is because Google Docs is a cloud-based application that only supports storing files on the cloud service. The recovery must rely on Google service unless you have previously saved the files to other devices in advance.

Q3: How do I contact Google Support for help with recovering deleted Google Docs?

To contact Google Support for help recovering deleted Google Docs, go to the Google Support website and navigate to the "Contact Us" section. From there, you can describe your issue and choose to chat, email, or call their support team. For Google Workspace users, administrators often have faster support access and can escalate the issue.

Conclusion

It’s common to accidentally delete Google Docs files, but the recovery process is not a daunting task. This post shows you how to recover deleted Google Docs in five useful ways. Since these files are generated and stored on Google Drive, you can restore them using its built-in features. Additionally, professional software is an excellent choice if your files have been saved to other devices before deletion.

If all else fails, Google Support can assist according to your specific needs. In short, by acting quickly and using the appropriate recovery method, you can minimize data loss and regain access to your important files.