# Recovering Deleted Obsidian Files Ways to get back a deleted note, roughly in order of how likely they are to work. ## 1. Obsidian's local file recovery (core plugin) Obsidian ships a core plugin called **File Recovery** that snapshots your vault periodically, independent of sync/backup. - Settings → Core plugins → enable **File Recovery** (it's on by default in most versions). - To restore: Settings → File Recovery → find the file/timestamp → **Restore**. - Snapshots live in `.obsidian/plugins` app data (actually under the vault's `.obsidian` config folder, in a hidden trash-like store) and are pruned after a retention period, so this only works if you catch it soon after deletion. ## 2. System trash / Recycle Bin If you deleted the file from within Obsidian or your file manager, check whether it went to the OS trash first — Obsidian's default delete behavior on desktop is often "move to system trash," not permanent delete. - **macOS**: check `~/.Trash`, or the Trash icon in Finder. - **Windows**: check the Recycle Bin. - **Linux**: check `~/.local/share/Trash/files`. You can also set this behavior explicitly: Settings → Files & Links → **Deleted files** → choose "Move to system trash," "Move to Obsidian trash (`.trash` folder in vault)," or "Permanently delete." ## 3. Obsidian's own `.trash` folder If "Deleted files" is set to "Move to Obsidian trash," deleted notes go into a hidden `.trash` folder at the root of your vault. - Show hidden files in your file manager, or use a file explorer plugin inside Obsidian that reveals dotfiles. - Navigate to `<vault>/.trash/` and move the file back into the vault. ## 4. Sync service version history If you use a sync tool, most keep their own version history separate from Obsidian: - **Obsidian Sync**: has built-in file recovery/version history — right-click a file (or use the Sync pane) to view and restore previous versions, including deleted files, for up to the retention window on your plan. - **iCloud Drive**: check `~/Library/Mobile Documents` for cached versions, or use Time Machine if enabled. - **Dropbox**: web interface → right-click file/folder → "Show deleted files" or use "Version history"; Dropbox typically retains deleted files for 30 days (longer on some plans). - **Google Drive**: check Drive's Trash; deleted items are recoverable for 30 days before permanent deletion. - **Syncthing**: check the `.stversions` folder in the vault if versioning is enabled. ## 5. Time-based backups - **Time Machine (macOS)**: browse to the vault folder and step back through snapshots. - **File History (Windows)**: right-click the vault folder → "Restore previous versions." - **Backup plugins**: if you use a community plugin like **Obsidian Git** or a scheduled backup script, check the backup destination (git history, zip archives, etc.) for a prior commit/snapshot containing the file. ## 6. Search your filesystem directly Sometimes a note isn't gone, just moved or renamed: - Use Obsidian's search (or your OS's file search / Spotlight / Everything) for a unique phrase from the note. - Check other folders in the vault — files can end up misplaced during drag-and-drop or plugin operations. ## 7. Undelete tools (last resort, permanent deletion) If the file was permanently deleted (not in any trash/sync history) and you need it back, file undelete tools may recover it if the disk sectors haven't been overwritten: - **macOS**: Disk Drill, PhotoRec. - **Windows**: Recuva, PhotoRec. - **Linux**: `extundelete`, `testdisk`/`photorec`. Act quickly and avoid writing new data to the same disk — every write risks overwriting the deleted file's data before you can recover it. ## Prevention going forward - Set **Deleted files** to "Move to Obsidian trash" or "Move to system trash" (Settings → Files & Links) instead of permanent delete. - Enable **File Recovery** core plugin. - Use **Obsidian Sync** or set up **Obsidian Git** for automatic version-controlled backups. - Periodically back up the whole vault folder to an external drive or cloud storage.