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User profile for user: RichEagle
RichEagle Author
User level: Level 1
11 points

Recently Deleted Files Not Visible in Files App

I have my downloads go to the On My iPhone section instead of iCloud, and I recently cleared several folders, but the files are not appearing in Recently Deleted for me to delete permanently. I have had this issue before with versions of iOS 13, but a reboot of the phone (Volume Up, Volume Down, Power Button) would resolve the issues and the files would reappear for me to delete. But since I switched to iOS 14, that no longer resolves the issue. Now I have about 7GB of files that I cannot remove my device. I have included screenshots of the iPhone Storage section showing the On My iPhone files being high and the empty Recently Deleted section. Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have a solution? Thanks!



iPhone 8 Plus

Posted on Oct 6, 2020 6:23 AM

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User profile for user: RichEagle
RichEagle Author
User level: Level 1
11 points

Posted on Oct 20, 2020 3:51 PM

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately the link does not help with this issue as I believe the issue I am experiencing is a software bug in the Files app. I have my Safari downloads set to go to the location On my iPhone > Downloads. When I am finished with the downloaded file, I delete it. In previous version of iOS (as with the Photos app and with files on a Mac) the deleted file would not be removed from the device. Instead, it goes to Recently Deleted where it can then be permanently removed from the device. 


After deleting a file from Downloads, it is not in the Recently Deleted folder. But when I go to manage my storage on my phone, the "On my iPhone" size keeps growing as more items are "deleted" from downloads but not deleted from my device. 


See the YouTube clip showing what I mean. I delete a PDF from Downloads, but it is not in the Recently Deleted folder.

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User profile for user: RichEagle
RichEagle Author
User level: Level 1
11 points

Oct 20, 2020 3:51 PM in response to ryane77

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately the link does not help with this issue as I believe the issue I am experiencing is a software bug in the Files app. I have my Safari downloads set to go to the location On my iPhone > Downloads. When I am finished with the downloaded file, I delete it. In previous version of iOS (as with the Photos app and with files on a Mac) the deleted file would not be removed from the device. Instead, it goes to Recently Deleted where it can then be permanently removed from the device. 


After deleting a file from Downloads, it is not in the Recently Deleted folder. But when I go to manage my storage on my phone, the "On my iPhone" size keeps growing as more items are "deleted" from downloads but not deleted from my device. 


See the YouTube clip showing what I mean. I delete a PDF from Downloads, but it is not in the Recently Deleted folder.

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User profile for user: ryane77
ryane77
User level: Community Specialist

Oct 12, 2020 7:14 AM in response to RichEagle

Hello RichEagle,


It looks like you're having some issues with the Files app and your recently deleted files. We know how important it is to have those files and know where they are going when they have been deleted. We're glad you reached out for help.

Check out this resource for help with using the Files app and locating your documents:


Use the Files app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch


We hope this helps. Take care!

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Recently Deleted Files Not Visible in Files App

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