The updated recycle bin feature in My Files on Galaxy devices with One UI 6.0

Last Update date : Mar 26. 2024

Since the release of One UI 6.0, the Recycle bin feature in the My Files app on Galaxy phones and tablets has been updated. Users can now delete and restore files from My Files, Gallery and Voice Recordings directly from the Recycle bin folder in My Files.

Different types of files flying from a tablet to a bin.

Note: The recycle bin function cannot be turned off.

By following the instructions below, you can permanently delete or restore files from My Files.

Restore or delete specific files in My Files

My Files home screen My Files home screen

Step 1. Go to My Files > Recycle bin.

Bin home screen Bin home screen

Step 2. Tap Edit.

Recycle bin home screen with files selected Recycle bin home screen with files selected

Step 3. Tap All or select individual files.

Recycle bin home screen with restore option selected Recycle bin home screen with restore option selected

Step 4. Tap Restore or Delete and follow any remaining on-screen instructions.

Shortcut to delete everything in Recycle bin all at once

My Files home screen My Files home screen

Step 1. Go to My Files > Recycle bin.

Bin home screen Bin home screen

Step 2. Tap More (three vertical dots).

Recycle bin home screen with Empty option selected Recycle bin home screen with Empty option selected

Step 3. Select Empty.

Note: You can view deleted files by app (My Files, Gallery, and Voice Recorder), as well as restore or delete them from Settings > Device care > Storage management > Recycle bin > My Files.

Although you can use My Files to manage all your recycle bin files, you can still use the Gallery to delete and restore image and video files.

Delete files from the Gallery

Pictures displayed on the Gallery app screen. Pictures displayed on the Gallery app screen.

Step 1. Go to Gallery > Pictures.

Image files selected in the Gallery app. Image files selected in the Gallery app.

Step 2. Select an image or video to delete.

Delete option selected to remove image files Delete option selected to remove image files

Step 3. Tap Delete.

Pop-up window to confirm deletion request Pop-up window to confirm deletion request

Step 4. Move to Recycle bin to confirm.

Note: Deleted items will remain in the Bin for 30 days. After that point, they will automatically be permanently deleted.

Restore deleted files to the Gallery

Gallery home screen Gallery home screen

Step 1. Go to the Gallery > Menu (the three horizontal lines).

Gallery menu options. Gallery menu options.

Step 2. Select Recycle bin.

Trash in Gallery Trash in Gallery

Step 3. Select Edit.

Files and Restore option selected in Bin Files and Restore option selected in Bin

Step 4. Select the items you'd like to keep > Tap Restore (or Restore All).

Permanently delete files from Gallery

Gallery home screen Gallery home screen

Step 1. Go to the Gallery > Menu (the three horizontal lines).

Gallery menu options. Gallery menu options.

Step 2. Select Recycle bin.

Gallery recycle bin. Gallery recycle bin.

Step 3. Select Edit.

Files and Delete option selected in Bin Files and Delete option selected in Bin

Step 4. Select the items you'd like to delete > Tap Delete (or Delete All).

Pop-up window requesting delete confirmation Pop-up window requesting delete confirmation

Step 5. Tap Delete to confirm.

If you are interested in only managing sound files, you can still use the Voice Recorder app to delete or restore those specific files.

Delete files from the Voice Recorder app

Voice Recorder app home screen Voice Recorder app home screen

Step 1. Go to the Voice Recorder app > List.

Files saved in the Voice Recorder List. Files saved in the Voice Recorder List.

Step 2. Select files you wish to delete > Tap Delete (or Delete All).

Pop-up window requesting confirmation to move to the bin Pop-up window requesting confirmation to move to the bin

Step 3. Tap Move to Recycle bin.

Restore deleted Voice Recorder files

Voice Recorder home screen Voice Recorder home screen

Step 1. Go to the Voice Recorder app > More (three vertical dots).

Voice Recorder home screen Voice Recorder home screen

Step 2. Select Recycle bin.

Voice Recorder Bin Voice Recorder Bin

Step 3. Select files to restore > Restore or Restore All.

Permanently delete Voice Recorder files

Voice Recorder home screen Voice Recorder home screen

Step 1. Go to the Voice Recorder app > More (three vertical dots).

Voice Recorder home screen Voice Recorder home screen

Step 2. Select Recycle bin.

Voice Recorder recycle bin Voice Recorder recycle bin

Step 3. Tap Edit.

Files and Delete option selected Files and Delete option selected

Step 4. Select files to permanently delete > Delete.

Pop-up window requesting delete confirmation Pop-up window requesting delete confirmation

Step 5. Select Delete to confirm.

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