Ever thought those deleted files on your Apple devices were gone for good? Think again! Whether it’s a cherished photo, an important document, or something you wish you’d never deleted, there’s a safety net in place to help you recover your lost files. But be warned—this same safety net can leave your data exposed to others if you’re not careful, especially when selling your device. Here’s how to manage those deleted files like a pro.
Syncing Your Files: Keep It Together!
First things first: ensure your files are syncing across all your Apple devices using iCloud. It’s an easy step but crucial for keeping your files organised and recoverable.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then select iCloud.
- Under Saved to iCloud, check entries for Photos, iCloud Drive, iCloud Mail, and other apps.
- Tap See All to view and manage synced apps.
On macOS:
- Open System Settings via the Apple menu, then your name > iCloud.
- Ensure Photos and iCloud Drive are switched on. For other apps like Messages and Contacts, click Show More Apps.
- Click iCloud Drive to check if you’re syncing your desktop and document folders.
Deleting Files on iOS and iPadOS: The 30-Day Safety Net
Deleted a file by mistake? No worries! Files you delete on iOS and iPadOS go to the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days before being permanently wiped.
Here’s how to recover or permanently delete them:
- Open the Files app, tap Browse, then Recently Deleted.
- Tap and hold any item to see options for Delete Now or Recover.
- For multiple files, tap the three dots (top right), then Select. Choose your files, then select Recover or Delete.
For photos and videos deleted via the Photos app, it’s a similar process:
- Open Photos, scroll to Utilities, then Recently Deleted (iOS) or Recently Deleted (iPadOS).
- Tap on a photo or video to see the Recover or Delete options.
- To select multiple items, tap Select (top right), then use the three dots (bottom right) for Recover and Delete.
Deleting Files on macOS: Take Out the Trash
When you delete a file on your Mac, it heads to the Trash folder. Here’s how to manage it:
- Open Trash from the dock or Finder (Go > Go to Folder, then search “trash”).
- To permanently delete a file right away, highlight it in Finder, use Option+Cmd+Delete, and confirm.
- Files stay in Trash until you manually empty it. To delete immediately, Ctrl+click and pick Delete Immediately. To empty the whole Trash, click Empty (top right).
For automatic cleanup:
- Open the Finder menu, and select Settings.
- Under Advanced, check Remove items from the Trash after 30 days.
For photos and videos, the Photos app has a Recently Deleted folder:
- Open Photos on macOS, and click Recently Deleted on the left.
- Click Delete All to wipe everything, or select items for Recover or Delete options.
iCloud on the Web: The Command Center
Sometimes it’s easier to manage your deleted files via iCloud on the web:
- Go to iCloud > Drive > Recently Deleted to see and manage files.
- For photos and videos, head to Photos, then Recently Deleted.
Remember, other Apple apps like Mail and Notes also have their trash folders with a 30-day limit. Knowing how to manage your deleted files not only helps you recover important data but also ensures your privacy when it’s time to part with your device. Whether you’re syncing, recovering, or permanently deleting, these steps will keep you in control. So, manage wisely and keep those files in check!
Happy file managing!
Source: The Verge
