pCloud File Recovery: How to Restore Deleted Files
pCloud lets you recover deleted files and previous versions of files from your own account, without contacting support, for up to 30 days on free and paid plans, or 365 days if you purchase the Extended File History add-on. You restore items from the Trash or from the Version History in the web app, desktop app, or mobile app. This article explains exactly where those recovery tools are, how long they keep your data, and what to do when a file seems gone forever.
How pCloud File Recovery Works
When you delete a file in pCloud, it is not erased immediately. It moves to a Trash folder inside your account, where it stays for 30 days by default. During that period, you can restore it to its original location or download it. After 30 days, pCloud permanently deletes the file from its servers, and it cannot be recovered by any user-side tool.
For files that were overwritten or edited, pCloud keeps previous versions. Every time you upload a new version of a file with the same name, pCloud stores the old one in the Version History. You can access this history for the same retention window: 30 days, or 365 days with the paid add-on. This is separate from the Trash, so even if you never deleted the file, you can still roll back to an earlier edit.
Where to Find the Trash and Version History
All recovery happens through the pCloud web app, desktop app, or mobile app. The interface is consistent across platforms, though the exact menu labels may differ slightly.
- Web app (browser): Log in at pcloud.com, open the folder list on the left, and click Trash. You will see all deleted files and folders. To restore, select the item and click the Restore button (or right-click and choose Restore).
- Desktop app (Windows/macOS): Open the pCloud drive folder in your file explorer. Right-click on any file or folder and choose pCloud → Restore previous versions to open the version history. For deleted items, use the pCloud desktop app’s Trash section in the sidebar.
- Mobile app (iOS/Android): Tap the menu (hamburger icon), then Trash. You can restore or permanently delete items from there. For versions, open the file, tap the â‹® menu, and select Version history.
Note that the Trash in pCloud is not the same as your local operating system’s Recycle Bin or Trash. If you delete a file from your synced pCloud folder on your desktop, it goes to pCloud’s Trash, not your computer’s Trash. That means you must use pCloud’s interface to recover it, not your system’s recycle bin.
Extended File History: 365-Day Recovery
If you need a longer safety net, pCloud offers an add-on called Extended File History (EFH). This extends the retention period for both the Trash and version history from 30 days to 365 days. It is a paid feature, available as a one-time payment per account, not a subscription. The price varies by region, but it is typically around $39.99 for a lifetime addition to your account.
With EFH, you can recover a file that was deleted 11 months ago, as long as it was deleted after you activated the add-on. It also keeps every version of a file for a full year, which is useful if you work with documents that change frequently and you need to compare or revert to an older draft.
Important: EFH does not retroactively protect files deleted before you purchased it. It only applies to deletions and versions that occur after activation.
What Happens After 30 Days (or 365 Days)?
Once the retention period expires, pCloud permanently deletes the file from its servers. The company states that this deletion is irreversible and that no backup of your data is kept. This is a standard practice among cloud storage providers, but it means you should not rely on pCloud as your only backup for critical files.
If you have a file that you need to keep forever, consider downloading it to your local drive or another cloud service before the 30-day window ends. You can also use pCloud’s Remote Upload feature to copy files from other cloud services, but that does not extend the retention period.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
One frequent misunderstanding is that deleting a file from the pCloud mobile app or desktop app bypasses the Trash. It does not – all deletions go to the Trash, regardless of the device you used. Another misconception is that pCloud keeps deleted files in a hidden backup that you can access via a support ticket. That is not true; the Trash is the only recovery mechanism.
A common problem users face is not seeing the Trash option in the web app. If you are using the pCloud Drive (the virtual drive that streams files on demand), the Trash is still in the web app, not in the local folder. You must log in to the web interface to access it. Similarly, if you are using the pCloud desktop app’s sync folder, the Trash is in the app’s sidebar, not in your Windows Explorer or Finder.
Another issue: if you delete a folder that contains subfolders, pCloud restores the entire folder structure. You cannot restore a single file from a deleted folder without first restoring the whole folder, then moving the file out.
Comparing pCloud Recovery to Other Cloud Services
pCloud’s 30-day default is shorter than some competitors. Google Drive offers 30 days for free users and 180 days for Google Workspace users. Dropbox gives 30 days on free and Plus plans, and 180 days on Professional. OneDrive offers 30 days for personal accounts, with an option to extend to 180 days for an extra fee.
pCloud’s unique selling point is the Extended File History add-on, which gives you a full year for a one-time payment. Most other services require a higher-tier subscription to get extended retention. For example, Dropbox Professional costs significantly more per month and still only gives 180 days. So if you need long-term recovery without a recurring fee, pCloud’s EFH is competitive.
However, note that pCloud does not offer versioning for files that are not edited through pCloud’s own apps. If you edit a file directly on your local drive and it syncs, the version history captures the change. But if you manually upload a file with the same name via the web app, it also counts as a new version.
How to Avoid Losing Files in the First Place
While recovery tools are useful, prevention is better. Here are practical steps to minimize the risk of losing data:
- Enable two-factor authentication on your pCloud account to prevent unauthorized access that could lead to malicious deletions.
- Use pCloud’s sync folder for active files, so changes are backed up immediately. But remember that syncing also means deletions propagate – if you delete a file on your local drive, it will be deleted in the cloud too.
- Set up a local backup of your most important files, either on an external drive or another cloud service. pCloud itself is not a backup; it is a sync and storage service.
- Check your Trash regularly to ensure you are not running out of storage due to deleted files still occupying space. Deleted files count against your storage quota until they are permanently removed.
- Consider purchasing Extended File History if you work with files that you might need to revert to months later, such as legal documents, design files, or code repositories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a file deleted more than 30 days ago?
Only if you have Extended File History (EFH) activated. Without EFH, pCloud permanently deletes files after 30 days and they cannot be recovered. If you have EFH, you can recover files deleted within the last 365 days.
Does pCloud keep deleted files in a backup that support can access?
No. pCloud does not keep any hidden backups of deleted files. The Trash is the only recovery mechanism, and once the retention period expires, the data is gone forever. Support cannot restore it for you.
How do I restore a previous version of a file in pCloud?
Right-click the file in the web app or desktop app, select Version history, then choose the version you want to restore. You can download it or replace the current version. This works for files that were overwritten, not deleted.
Does pCloud count deleted files against my storage quota?
Yes. Files in the Trash still occupy storage space until they are permanently deleted. If you are near your quota, you may need to empty the Trash to free up space.
Can I recover a file that was deleted from the pCloud mobile app?
Yes. Deletions from any device go to the same Trash. Open the pCloud mobile app, go to Trash, and restore the file. It will appear back in its original folder.
Is Extended File History worth the cost?
It depends on how much you value long-term recovery. If you regularly work on files that you might need to revert to after several months, or if you want extra peace of mind, the one-time fee is often a good value compared to other services’ monthly fees for similar retention.
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