Delete, purge or restore files from your OneDrive using the OneDrive mobile app
Applies To
OneDrive for Business 24 OneDrive for Business OneDrive (work or school) Microsoft Office OneDrive (home or personal) OneDrive (work or school) operated by 21Vianet

Files deleted from OneDrive are kept in the OneDrive Recycle Bin for 30 days.

Note: If your recycle bin is full, the oldest items will be automatically deleted after three days. If you're signed in with a work or school account, items in the recycle bin are automatically deleted after 93 days, unless the administrator has changed the setting. See more information about how long deleted items are kept for work or school accounts.

 

How to delete, purge or restore files from your OneDrive in Android

  1. Tap and hold the file you want to delete. (To delete multiple files, after selecting a file, check the circles next to each additional file you want to delete).

    Note: You can only delete 20 files at a time. If you need to delete more than 20 files at once, go to OneDrive.com.

  2. Tap Delete OneDrive delete file.

  3. When asked to confirm your deletion, select OK.

Recover a file from the Recycle Bin

  1. Tap the Me icon Person icon in OneDrive app for iOS at the bottom right of your screen, select the account, and then tap Recycle Bin.

  2. In the Recycle Bin view, select the files you want to restore.

  3. To restore the files back to your OneDrive, tap Restore OneDrive restore file. 

Empty the Recycle Bin

  1. Tap the Me icon Person icon in OneDrive app for iOS at the bottom right of your screen, tap the account you're using, and then tap Recycle Bin.

  2. In the Recycle Bin view, select the files you want to delete.

  3. Tap Delete OneDrive delete file to remove the files permanently.

    Note: Android users have the option to empty the entire Recycle Bin at once by tapping Delete All in the upper right.

See how much storage space you have (personal OneDrive accounts only)

In the OneDrive app, tap the Me icon Person icon in OneDrive app for iOS at the bottom right of your screen, and then look at the Storage Space line to see your total storage and space available or to purchase additional storage.

Need more help?

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Contact Support For help with your Microsoft account and subscriptions, visit Account & Billing Help.

For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option.

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Admins Admins should view Help for OneDrive Admins, the OneDrive Tech Community or contact Microsoft 365 for business support.

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