Where is recycle bin in mobile? Here’s how to access it

Mobile devices don’t have a traditional recycle bin like computers, but they do offer a space to store temporarily deleted items. On most smartphones, you will find a folder called “Recently Deleted” for apps like Photos and Files, which serve as a recycle bin. While Android and iPhone handle deleted files differently, some apps automatically move deleted items to a temporary folder for 30 days before permanently deleting them.

Where is recycle bin in mobile

The location of the recycle bin or the temporary storage for deleted items varies based on the operating system and the specific app. Whether you are looking for deleted photos or files, here’s how to access them.

iPhone Photos App

Step 1: Open Photos and navigate to Albums.

Step 2: Tap Recently Deleted, where items are stored for 30 days before permanent deletion.

Step 3: Tap “Select” and then “Recover” to restore photos.

Google Photos (Android/iPhone)

Step 1: Open Google Photos and tap on Collections

Step 2: Scroll down to Recently Deleted

(60-day storage period for deleted items before permanent deletion)

Step 3: Tap the photo and select the “Restore” option

ALSO READ: How to free up storage space on an iPhone

On some devices, you will also find the recycle bin in the file manager. Samsung device owners can find it in My Files > Recycle Bin, while OnePlus users can find it in File Manager > Trash.

FAQs

Q1: Can I recover permanently deleted files on mobile?

A: No, but most files are permanently deleted only after a 30-60 day recovery window.

Q2: Does the iPhone offer a recycle bin?

A: No, but the iPhone has a “Recently Deleted” folder for individual apps like Photos, Mail, and Notes.

Recycle bins in mobiles aren’t universal, and they exist only within specific apps like Photos or File Manager. They are often labelled as “Recently Deleted” or “Trash” and offer a 30-60 day recovery window.