The Deleted Items folder on the iPad allows you to view and recover recently deleted emails, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders and other items. However, locating the Deleted Items folder is not straightforward on the iPad as there is no dedicated Deleted Items app or icon.
Quick Answer
The Deleted Items folder on iPad can be accessed within each individual app – for example, deleted emails can be viewed in the Deleted folder within the Mail app. There is no central Deleted Items location that covers all apps.
Where to Find Deleted Emails on iPad
To view deleted emails on your iPad:
- Open the Mail app
- Swipe left or tap Mailboxes
- Scroll down and tap on Deleted
This will open the Deleted Items folder within the Mail app, allowing you to view, recover or permanently erase recently deleted emails.
Recovering Deleted Emails
To recover a deleted email in the Mail app Deleted folder:
- Tap the email you want to recover to open it
- Tap the Move button in the toolbar at the bottom
- Select Inbox or the folder you want to move the email to
This will move the email out of the Deleted Items folder and back into your inbox or another folder.
Finding Deleted Contacts on iPad
To view deleted contacts on your iPad:
- Open the Contacts app
- Tap Groups
- Scroll down and tap Deleted
This will open the Deleted contacts group, allowing you to view and recover removed contacts.
Recovering Deleted Contacts
To recover a deleted contact:
- Tap the contact you want to restore
- Tap Recover in the bottom left
This will move the contact out of the Deleted group and back into All Contacts.
Viewing Deleted Calendar Events
To see deleted calendar events on iPad:
- Open the Calendar app
- Tap Calendars in bottom right
- Turn on Show Deleted Calendars
This will display a new Deleted Calendars section at the top of your calendar list, containing any deleted event calendars.
Recovering Deleted Calendars
To recover a deleted calendar:
- Tap the deleted calendar you want to restore
- Tap Recover in the bottom left
This will move the calendar back into your main calendar list.
Accessing Deleted Notes on iPad
To view deleted notes on your iPad:
- Open the Notes app
- Tap the account name in the upper left (e.g. iCloud)
- Turn on the Deleted Notes toggle
This will display a Deleted Notes section within that account, allowing you to view and recover removed notes.
Recovering Deleted Notes
To recover a deleted note:
- Tap the note you want to restore
- Tap Recover in the bottom left
The note will be moved back into your regular notes list for that account.
Viewing Deleted Reminders
To see deleted reminders on your iPad:
- Open the Reminders app
- Tap Show Deleted in the bottom left
This enables a new Deleted section at the bottom of your reminders list. Tap Hide Deleted to turn it off.
Recovering Deleted Reminders
To recover a deleted reminder:
- Tap the reminder in the Deleted section
- Tap Recover in the bottom left
The reminder will be moved back into your regular reminders list.
Locating Deleted Photos
Unlike other apps, the Photos app on iPad does not have a dedicated Deleted Items album. Instead, deleted photos get moved to the Recently Deleted album.
To view deleted photos:
- Open the Photos app
- Scroll down and tap the Recently Deleted album
This will display all photos and videos you’ve recently removed. They remain here for 30 days before being permanently deleted.
Recovering Deleted Photos
To restore deleted photos/videos:
- Tap Select in the top right
- Tap the items you want to recover
- Tap Recover in the bottom left
This will move the selected photos/videos back into your Photos library.
Finding Deleted Files in Other Apps
Some other apps that support file management on the iPad also have a Deleted Items folder:
- Files app – Tap Browse then Recents to view deleted files
- Keynote – Tap Documents then Recently Deleted to see removed presentations
- Pages – Tap Documents then Recently Deleted for deleted documents
- Numbers – Tap Documents then Recently Deleted to view deleted spreadsheets
So in summary, there is no centralized Deleted Items location on the iPad – you need to go into each app separately. The Recents/Recently Deleted section within each app offers a way to recover deleted data in many cases.
Permanently Deleting All Items
If you want to permanently erase all deleted items across all apps on your iPad, you have a couple options:
- Erase your iPad entirely by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will wipe your iPad back to factory settings.
- Disable the Recently Deleted album in Photos app. Go to Settings > Photos and turn off Recently Deleted Album.
- Manually delete items from the Deleted sections in each individual app.
Permanently deleting all deleted items can be useful if you are selling or giving away your iPad and want all your data gone for security reasons.
Conclusion
In summary:
- There is no central Deleted Items location on the iPad
- Each app has its own Recents or Recently Deleted section
- View and recover deleted items within each app separately
- Deleted photos go to Recently Deleted album in Photos app
- Can permanently erase all deleted items by erasing iPad or manually removing
So when trying to find and recover deleted data on your iPad, go directly into the relevant app rather than looking for a standalone Deleted Items app. The options within each app provide the ability to view and restore recently removed items.