There is no single trash folder on iPhone. Photos, Messages, and Files each have a separate Recently Deleted area. To permanently delete photos and videos, open Photos and clear its Recently Deleted album; use the Messages or Files route below if that is the content you mean. Deletion from these areas is permanent.
Empty Recently Deleted in Photos
For photos and videos, the standard route is through the Photos app. Apple’s current recovery guidance and iOS 26 user guide describe this process; the exact labels or screen layout may differ slightly in iOS 27.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $584.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $409.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $388.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Open Photos.
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Swipe up and tap Recently Deleted under Utilities.
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Tap View Album, then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID (or your passcode if offered).
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Tap Select, choose the items, then tap More and Delete. To clear the album, use Delete All if available, or select all items and delete them.
#1 Best Overall
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
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Confirm the deletion. Once removed from Recently Deleted, the items cannot be recovered through that album. See Apple’s photo recovery instructions and its iOS 26 guide to deleting photos and videos.
Photos and videos ordinarily remain recoverable in Recently Deleted for 30 days, but you can permanently delete them sooner. Apple says that if iCloud storage is over its limit, items deleted from Recently Deleted may be removed immediately and become unavailable for recovery; see Apple’s iCloud storage guidance.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Permanently delete messages from Recently Deleted
Messages has its own Recently Deleted list, separate from Photos. In iOS 27, open Messages, go to the conversation list, tap Filter, then Recently Deleted. Select the conversations, tap the Delete control, and confirm. Apple’s iOS 27 instructions say this deletion cannot be undone.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Deleted messages and attachments can remain there for up to 30 days, but you may remove them permanently earlier. When Messages in iCloud is enabled, deleting messages syncs to your other devices using that Apple Account; it affects your devices, not the other person’s. See Apple’s guide to deleting messages and attachments.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
If you mean deleted files
Files has a separate Recently Deleted location. Open the Files app and go to that location to review or delete files. Apple says files ordinarily stay there for 30 days; deleting them from Recently Deleted removes them immediately and they cannot be recovered. See Apple’s Files recovery instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Which iPhone Recently Deleted location should you use?
| Content | Where to go | Recovery period | Sync detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Photos > Recently Deleted under Utilities | Ordinarily 30 days; permanent deletion can happen sooner (Apple Support, 2025). | Not stated in the cited photo-recovery guidance. |
| Messages and attachments | Messages > Filter > Recently Deleted | Up to 30 days; permanent deletion can happen sooner. | With Messages in iCloud enabled, deletion syncs to the user’s other devices signed into the same Apple Account. |
| Files | Files > Recently Deleted | Ordinarily 30 days; deleting from this location removes files immediately. | Not stated in the cited Files recovery guidance. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
