How Do I Find Deleted Emails in Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo?

We've all experienced what it's like to delete an email accidentally. Very frustrating, right?

Moreover, the email contains sensitive information, such as work projects, sentimental messages, presentation data for tomorrow, etc.

Do not panic! Several popular email providers such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook have "Trash" and "Deleted Items" folders where deleted emails will be stored there for a certain period.

In this article, we will guide you on locating and recovering your deleted emails in these popular email services.

How do I find deleted emails in Gmail?

Accidentally deleting an email in Gmail often happens to us. Thankfully, Gmail provides a safety net in place - "Trash."

Deleted emails will be there 30 days before permanent deletion. So, you still have time to save it.

You can find deleted Gmail emails on Desktop and Mobile versions. Here are the guides:

Desktop Instructions:

Before searching for deleted emails, you must sign in to your Gmail account in your PC browser.

1. On the left-hand side of your Gmail screen, you'll see a list of folders/labels.
2. Scroll down until you find the "Trash" folder. Click on it.
3. If you have many deleted items, use Gmail's search bar (at the top of the screen) to find the specific email you need.
4. Enter keywords, the sender's name, or part of the subject line.
5. Once you find the emails you want, check each email's box to the left.
6. At the top of the screen, locate the "Move to" button (folder icon with an arrow).
7. Click this and choose where you want the emails restored.
8. "Inbox" is the most common choice, but you can select another folder if desired.

Mobile App Instructions:

After the Gmail application is installed and you have signed in, do the steps below to find deleted Gmail emails:

1. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the Gmail app to open the menu.
2. Scroll down and locate the "Trash" folder.
3. You can search within the Trash using the search bar or manually locate the emails you want to recover.
4. Tap the checkboxes beside the emails.
5. Look for the "Move to" button (folder icon with an arrow) at the top of the screen.
6. Tap and choose the destination for your restored emails.

How do I find deleted emails in Outlook?

Stay cool! Outlook is the same as Gmail, which provides a Trash folder to find your accidentally deleted email immediately.

Desktop Instructions:

Let's understand how to search deleted emails in Outlook with Desktop.

1. In the left-hand menu of your Outlook window, find the "Deleted Items" folder. This folder is your primary destination for deleted emails.
2. If the email you're looking for isn't in "Deleted Items," Outlook provides a secondary option. 
3. Click on the "Deleted Items" folder, then locate the "Recover Deleted Items" or "Recover items recently removed from this folder" button – the name can vary slightly depending on your version.
4. After performing either step above, you'll see a list of recoverable emails.
5. Check the box next to the ones you want to recover.
6. Look for the "Restore" button at the top of the screen and click it.

Mobile App Instructions:

Outlook also has a mobile application where you can search for deleted emails. Here's how:

1. The steps on the Outlook mobile app are broadly similar to those on the desktop version.
2. Depending on your app version, there might be minor differences regarding button placement or specific wording.
3. Look for a "Trash" or "Deleted Items" folder and possible "Recover Deleted Items" options within.

How do I find deleted emails in Yahoo?

Yahoo! is often used to exchange emails. Yahoo! is also very popular as an email provider.

Then, how do you get deleted emails back on Yahoo? See the guides below.

Desktop Instructions:

Just like Gmail and Outlook, Yahoo! also has a similar method. Here are the details:

1. On the left-hand menu in Yahoo! Mail, find the "Trash" folder.
2. Click on it to view deleted emails.
3. If your Trash folder is extensive, locate specific messages in the search bar above your emails.
4. Check the box next to the emails you want to restore.
5. At the top of the screen, find the "Move" button.
6. Click it and select "Inbox" (or a different folder where you'd like the emails to go).

Mobile App Instructions:

When you don't have time to open Yahoo! If you're on a PC, you can still search for your email on the mobile app.

1. In the Yahoo! Mail app, tap the three horizontal lines to open a menu.
2. Locate and tap the "Trash" folder.
3. Select the emails you wish to recover.
4. Tap on the "Move" option (represented by a folder icon with an arrow)
5. Choose the destination folder for the restored emails.

Additional Tips for You

Emails that have just been deleted may be relatively easy to find directly.

However, if it has been deleted in the "Trash" or "Deleted Item" folder, it most likely has been permanently deleted.

It would help if you had recovery data tools to save that permanently deleted email, though it is not guaranteed.

That's why you should pay attention to your email. Back up your data and check regularly whether it is still in the Inbox or "Trash" folder.

Let's Rewind

Recovering deleted emails in popular email services like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo is often straightforward.

Remember, your first stop should always be the "Trash" or "Deleted Items" folder.

Don't panic if you don't find the email immediately; additional recovery options might be available!

Knowing you can usually retrieve accidentally deleted emails offers peace of mind for those inevitable digital mishaps.