How to find the trash folder on an Android smartphone

Where desktop operating systems like macOS and Windows have a dedicated trash folder that stores everything that you haven’t deleted permanently, mobile OSs like Android deal with trash differently.

On Android, deleted apps are permanently and instantly removed, deleted photos go to a dedicated deleted items bin, files deleted via the file manager either go to the trash or are permanently deleted, and so on. Depending on what you deleted, it’s very likely that those items were sent to an application-specific trash folder.

With that in mind, here’s how you can access the trash or deleted items folders from default Android apps.

1. File manager

Android smartphones usually come with a file manager of some kind. You could also download any number of third-party file managers if you prefer. Given that Android is a mobile OS, the file manager sees little use by most people. However, power users do rely on such apps as it gives them a greater degree of control over their devices and data.

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In most file management apps, the trash folder can be found by opening the app’s menu and selecting the trash folder. This folder is also sometimes accessible via the file browser itself, usually as a tab on the side. Good file managers will give you the option of clearing trash or restoring deleted items, as well as control over how much data can be stored in the trash bin, and for how long.

2. Google Photos or Gallery

Deleted photos and videos go to the trash folder of the photo-management app you’re using, whether that be Google Photos or the default Gallery app on many phones. You can usually find the trash folder by tapping on Library and then “Bin”, “bin” being another name for the trash folder. In other apps, a similar Trash or Bin folder might be found in the app’s menu.

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Photos in the Bin are generally stored for 30 days before they’re automatically deleted, giving you a chance to recover them if necessary. If you want to delete a photo permanently from your phone and don’t intend to wait 30 days, you can delete that photo from the Bin to permanently delete it. Photos or videos removed in such a fashion are not likely to be recovered.

Again, files or data deleted within a specific app are usually stored within that app. This is by design and a result of how Android itself is designed. Deleted emails will go into the email app’s trash, deleted photos to the photos trash, and so on. Just keep track of which app you’re using and access the trash area using the app’s file management or menu features.