How to Delete PDF Files from Google Drive

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We all know that Google Drive can only give you limited space for free. Since you have already exhausted most of the storage, it is time to delete those unwanted large PDFs that you will never need. Now, the real question arises about how you delete PDF files from Google Drive. You can choose to follow the very basic method to delete all of them together or you can follow the guide we have created for every device you own.

Even though you have deleted the files from the Drive, they are still available in the Trash taking up your space. So, make sure you also empty the trash and get rid of those large PDF files permanently.

Keeping everything in mind, we have mentioned each step that works for every kind of user whether you are on your computer or your smartphone.

Let us get on with everything there is to know on how to delete pdf files from Google Drive.

How to Delete PDF Files from Google Drive on Computer

We will be first learning about the steps to delete pdf files from Google Drive using your desktop. Well, whether it be your laptop or a PC, the steps will be the same. Moreover, you can use any browser you wish to access the Google Drive webpage.

  • Open Google Drive Webpage.
  • Go to My Drive.
  • Now, select all the pdf files you want to delete.
  • Make a right-click on any of the files and choose Remove.
Delete PDF Files from Google Drive

Once done, wait for some time if you have selected a large number of files. You can now see the Trash section where all the files will be deleted from your Google Drive.

Read How to Rotate a PDF in Google Drive

How to Delete PDF Files from Google Drive on Android and iPhone

Now, we will be looking at the steps to delete PDF files from Google Drive on your smartphone. The process is not a lot different from what we saw on the desktop version. Only here, you will be using the Android or the iPhone app for the same with the steps given below.

  • Open your Google Drive app
  • Select the files you wish to delete.
  • Now, tap on the three dots and choose Remove.

Your files will be instantly deleted from your Drive. You can keep repeating the same steps until all the pdf files are removed from your smartphone.

How to Delete Shared PDF Files from Google Drive?

Until now we have only learned about the ways you can delete the pdf files from the My Drive section. Well, we also have another section known as Shared with Me where all the files shared with you by other users are available.

Whether you are the owner of those files or not, you can choose to remove them from your Drive permanently. However, there is a fact in it where if you are not the owner of a file, you can only remove it from your Drive and the file will still be present with the owner.

Similarly, if you do not wish to permanently get rid of these shared files, you can choose to make someone else the owner and then delete it from your Drive. Here is how you delete shared pdf files from Google Drive.

  • Open the Google Drive Webpage and log in to your account.
  • Now, tap on the Shared With Me section.
Delete PDF Files from Google Drive on Android
  • Select the PDF files you wish to remove.
  • Make a right-click on any of the files and tap on Remove.

All your files will then be moved to the Trash section. You can do the same steps on your smartphone as well. However, you need to clear the trash as well in order to free the space from your Drive.

Read How do you upload a pdf to Google Drive?

How to Permanently Delete PDF files from Google Drive

Now that we know the steps you can take to delete the files from your computer and your smartphone, let us understand the steps to get rid of them permanently.

Even though you have removed the files from the Drive section, they are still available in your Trash or Bin folder. Here is how you can delete files permanently.

  • Open the Google Drive app or webpage.
  • Log in to your Google Account.
  • Tap on the menu section and click on Trash or Bin.
  • Select Empty Trash.
How to Delete PDF Files from Google Drive
How to Delete PDF Files from Google Drive
  • Now, click on Delete Forever to confirm.

All your files will be deleted from Google Drive permanently. Here is another important thing to note if the files are left in the Trash for 30 days, they will be deleted automatically from the cloud storage platform. Hence, make sure to restore any files you wish to get back before they are gone forever.

Read How to Backup Google Drive to an External Hard Drive

Why can’t I delete PDF from Google Drive?

Also, users have experienced multiple errors as well while trying to delete the files. You may not be able to delete the files due to some internal error or maybe because the browser you are working on has certain bugs on it.

Hence you can try these methods to ensure these errors are fixed.

  • Try dragging the files directly to the Trash.
  • Create a folder of all files and then delete them.
  • Try using a different browser such as Firefox, Edge, etc.
  • Restart the application or your system.

Conclusion

Did you clear off the space from your Drive and delete all the PDF files? Well, hopefully, the steps have helped you in the best way possible. You can try following the steps as mentioned for all the other file formats as well such as images, videos, documents, etc.

Moreover, instead of removing them one by one, hold on to ctrl and select all the files in one go. This will only save you loads of time and you can then clear the bin as well.

Now, there are chances that you might have mistakenly deleted certain files that are important and you need to get them back. In such cases, there are options through which you can get back the files considering you haven’t yet cleared the trash yet. Simply, go to the trash section and make a right-click and choose restore.

Furthermore, to make sure everything goes smoothly, we have tried and tested all the steps mentioned in this guide.

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