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How to Recover Missing Word Documents After Deleting an iPad App
Question details
The user needs to recover Word documents that disappeared after uninstalling a Microsoft app from an iPad.
- Product
- Word for iPad
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- The user deleted a Microsoft app (such as Copilot or Word) from their iPad, causing locally saved or cloud-synced Word documents to go missing.
- Observed behavior
- Word documents can no longer be found on the iPad following the uninstallation of an application, requiring recovery based on their original save location.
Before beginning the recovery process, determine whether your documents were primarily saved locally to the iPad's internal storage or synced to a cloud service like OneDrive or iCloud Drive.
Recover Documents from Cloud Storage and Recycle Bins
This is the most effective method if your missing Word documents were synced to a cloud service like OneDrive, SharePoint, or iCloud Drive.
Deleting a Microsoft app on your iPad does not delete files stored in cloud environments. You can easily locate these files using the native iPad Files app or the cloud provider's web interface.
Locate and tap the 'Files' app on your iPad home screen to access your document directories.
Under the 'Browse' tab, look at the 'Locations' sidebar. Tap on 'OneDrive', 'SharePoint', or 'iCloud Drive' to see if your Word documents are still accessible there.
Tap 'Recently Deleted' in the Locations sidebar of the Files app to restore any documents that might have been accidentally moved to the trash.
If files are missing from OneDrive, log in to OneDrive via a web browser, go to Settings, and select 'Restore your OneDrive' to roll your storage back to an earlier date.
Restore Local iPad Files via a Previous Backup
Use this method if your Word documents were stored exclusively in the 'On My iPad' local folder and were erased when the app's local data was removed.
Search Alternative Storage Locations and Messages
Helpful if the files cannot be found in primary folders, or if they were previously shared with colleagues or friends.
Safeguard Your Documents with WPS Office
If you are experiencing file loss or sync issues due to iPad app removals, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides robust cloud integration and secure local file management, ensuring your documents remain safe, accessible, and fully compatible.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Navigate to the Apple App Store on your iPad, search for WPS Office, and tap 'Get' to download the app.
- 2. Open Your Recovered Files: Launch WPS Office, tap 'Open', and navigate to your Files app or cloud storage to open your recovered .docx files.
- 3. Enable WPS Cloud Sync: Sign in with your account and enable WPS Cloud to ensure your edits are automatically backed up and protected against future app deletions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting the Word app on my iPad automatically delete my documents?
It depends on where they are stored. If your documents are saved in OneDrive, SharePoint, or iCloud Drive, they are safe and will not be deleted. However, if they are saved exclusively in the local 'On My iPad' folder assigned to that specific app, they will be deleted along with the app's local data.
Where is the 'Recently Deleted' folder located on an iPad?
You can find the 'Recently Deleted' folder by opening the native 'Files' app, tapping the 'Browse' icon at the bottom of the screen, and looking under the 'Locations' list in the left-hand sidebar.
Can I recover a locally saved iPad document without a backup?
If a document was saved purely to local storage and the app holding it was deleted, iOS clears that app's sandbox data. Without an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup created before the deletion, or a copy sent via email or messages, the file is generally permanently lost.
How does the 'Restore your OneDrive' feature work?
If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, 'Restore your OneDrive' allows you to undo all the actions that occurred on any files and folders within the last 30 days. You can access this feature by logging into OneDrive on a web browser, clicking the Settings gear icon, and selecting 'Restore your OneDrive'.
