Google: Recover or Restore Deleted Mail or Drive Files and Folders

Environment

U-M Google Mail, U-M Google Drive

Issue

Process of restoring mail or files from Google that have been deleted

Resolution

You can restore deleted email messages yourself from your U-M Google email account if the messages have not yet been deleted from the Trash. 

1. Click the More button on the bottom of the left-hand column in your email
2. Click on the Trash label to show the contents of the Trash
   1. If the message is still there, move it back to the inbox or to some other label in your account

The process is the same for files deleted from Google Drive.

1. Click the Trash label on the left-hand side
2. Right-click the file and choose Restore

Messages and files are automatically deleted from the Trash after 30 days.

Note: If the items have been emptied from the Trash, contact the ITS Service Center to request a restoration. Restoration is not guaranteed. Note that there are several items that ITS will not be able to restore, including deleted drafts, spam or labels.

Additional Information

• Items you permanently delete from Drive or Gmail Trash can only be restored within 25 days of permanent deletion.
• Restorations can only be initiated by time and not individual items. (E.g., All files/folders permanently deleted between March 20 and March 21 will be restored.)
• If your U-M Google account was deleted because you failed to reduce your storage usage in time, your permanently deleted data will not be restored to you.

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.