i can undelete any permanently deleted file from Recents folder which is pretty poor security.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Recents folder no security
iPad, iPadOS 26
They are supposed to remain in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days, in case you change your mind. They are only permanently deleted when you delete them from that folder earlier or wait for the 30 days. When you delete them from the Recently Deleted folder before the 30 days, you will see a message that says continuing with that action will result in the data being permanently deleted, and that is exactly what that will happen.
They are supposed to remain in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days, in case you change your mind. They are only permanently deleted when you delete them from that folder earlier or wait for the 30 days. When you delete them from the Recently Deleted folder before the 30 days, you will see a message that says continuing with that action will result in the data being permanently deleted, and that is exactly what that will happen.
The recently deleted folder is prior to being permanently deleted. It allows users to fix any mistakes before they are actually permanently deleted by emptying the recently deleted folder.
Just tried and could not duplicate.
Hi Tony,
Anyone that you give access to your iPad will be able to access the Recents folder in the Files app. You can prevent that by choosing Require Face ID / Touch ID to open the Files app.
To do this, you can long press on the Files app icon and then choose Require Face ID / Touch ID option from the sub-menu. With this option activated, Face ID / Touch ID will be required to open the Files app.
Axel F.
Hi guys, many thanks for replies, but unless I’m really missing something it’s just the Apple answer. Why do I say that, well ….. I go into my Files app on the iPad, go to the Recents folder - NOT THE RECENLY DELETED FOLDER - and go back a week or so and select a permanently deleted movie - it opens and I then open it again in iMovie - bearing in mind I had permanently deleted this file days ago. I can do this with any file, photo etc that is in the Recents folder. Security is zero.
Hi Tony,
Just want to confirm that by “Permanently Deleted”, you mean Deleted from the Recently Deleted folder correct? In other words, are you stating that the file is permanently deleted by deleting it from the Recently Deleted folder and you can still access it from the Recents folder?
Axel F.
I must apologise - I agree with last answer. I thought a lot of the files in recents were already deleted, but WRONG. So sorry about that! However, why I need copies of files I looked at months ago is still a mystery to me, and anyone who gets access to my iPad gets access to Recents?
Yes indeed! Weird eh. Give it a go.
How do I prevent undeleting permanently deleted files from Recents folder on my Apple device?
