How to Use Google Drive Version History
Use version history when a Google Drive file still exists but its contents changed. If the file was deleted, start with Google Drive Trash instead.
When Version History Helps
Version history is useful when:
- text was deleted from a Google Doc
- a file was overwritten
- you need to compare older edits
- unwanted changes synced from a computer
It is not the same as recovering a deleted file from Trash.
Google Drive File Versions
Google's Drive restore guidance says Drive can roll files back to previous versions for certain file types, and that individual file versions can be found through version history. For Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, use the editor's version history tools.
Be Careful with Restore
Preview the older version before restoring. If the current file still contains useful changes, make a copy before rolling back.
If the File Was Deleted
Go to Drive Trash and restore the file from there if it is still available. Google says files remain in Trash for 30 days unless deleted forever earlier.
Sources
- Google Drive Help: Restore files in bulk with Google Drive
- Google Drive Help: Recover a deleted file in Google Drive
- Google Drive Help: Find lost files in Google Drive