"You need to authenticate before accessing this item" when deleting Recently Deleted files on iPad OS

I have files on my iPad in the Recently Deleted folder of the Files ap. I cannot permanently delete them. I assume until I do permanently delete them I cannot reclaim their disk space. I guess I am in this situation because:


  1. I deleted the files within the Files app (weeks ago)
  2. The credit card associated with my iTunes account expired so I had to login to iCloud to update the expiration date. I assume this caused a modification to my iCloud credentials?
  3. I tried to permanently delete files in the Recently Deleted folder of the Files app on my iPad. I got the "You need to authenticate before accessing this item"
  4. I shutdown and restarted my iPad. This did not help
  5. I signed out of my iCloud account on my iPad and signed back in. This did not help.
  6. I got notification on my iMac that I needed to login to my iCloud account from that device. This seems to confirm the assumption that changing my iTunes credit card caused a ripple in iCloud ID credentials.
  7. I am able to delete files from Recently Deleted that were deleted after I signed back into my iCloud account, which reinforces the idea that a change in my iCloud credentials has stranded items in Recently Deleted that were deleted under my previous iCloud identity.
  8. I tried to swipe left to "Recover" a stranded file and got the same error message as I do when attempting a "Delete".

Is there any suggestion on how to permanently delete files short of wiping the iPad?


iPad Pro, iPadOS 16

Posted on Nov 16, 2022 12:23 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 8, 2022 12:52 PM

Apple Support chose not to isolate the problem. I reset the iPad, restored from a backup, and found that the "Recently Deleted" files were not part of the backup. Thus they were essentially deleted during the process, i.e. they were not part of the backup.

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6 replies

Nov 19, 2022 9:52 AM in response to Blauberre

Hello Blauberre,


Let's use the steps below to make sure your iPad is running the latest version of iPadOS:


1. Back up your device using iCloud or your computer.
2. Plug your device into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi.
3. Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update.
4. If you see more than one software update option available, choose the one that you want to install.
The Settings app on iPhone showing options to update to iOS 15.7 or iOS 16.

5. Tap Install Now. If you see Download and Install instead, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, then tap Install Now. If you don't know your passcode, learn what to do.


You can also find those steps in this resource: Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support Updating can sometimes help address odd behaviors.


Should that still persist, are you also unable to permanently delete those files using another device or the iCloud website? Permanently remove deleted files on iCloud.com - Apple Support


Let us know, and we'll keep moving forward from there based on your results.

Nov 18, 2022 6:38 PM in response to Blauberre

Hi Blauberre,


Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.


We're happy to provide some assistance.


When you have a free moment, we recommend you check out the thread below and look at the answer labeled "Apple Recommended."


HOW DO I DELETE A FILE - Apple Community


The reason we ask you to take a look at the thread above is because the discussion is similar to the issue that you are experiencing.


If you're still having the same problem after looking at the thread we provided, do not hesitate to reach back out to the community with some specifics on what you see for more help.


Cheers!


Nov 19, 2022 8:26 AM in response to J_Johnnyboy

Thanks for taking the time to reply. However, the problem I have is a bit more complicated than your suggestion addresses. I had already deleted the files so I knew how to do that. The problem is with deleting already deleted files when for some reason iOS detects a mismatch with one's iCloud ID over a period of time between the initial deletion and subsequent attempt to empty the "Already Deleted" folder in Files.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

"You need to authenticate before accessing this item" when deleting Recently Deleted files on iPad OS

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