Back in December 2020, an APK teardown revealed that Google was preparing to add a Trash feature to its file manager app, Files by Google. It’s now rolling out to some users with version 1.0.378055542 of the app on Android.
As the name suggests, the new Trash feature will let you temporarily delete files from your device using the Files by Google app. You can restore those files for up to 30 days from the Trash folder, after which they are permanently deleted. Of course, you can also manually open the folder and delete the files in it any time if you don’t want them back ever.
This feature reportedly leverages Android’s built-in recycle bin functionality that Google introduced with Android 11 last year. However, according to an XDAreport, it’s currently rolling out with the latest update for Files by Google on devices running Android 12. Note that Android 12 is still in beta. So when the feature launches officially, it should be available on devices running Android 11 as well.
The new update also prepares for Material You redesign of Files by Google
In addition to the Trash folder, Files by Google is also picking up some minor design changes on Android 12. It’s still not the full Material You redesign but there are some hints of it. The app now seems to be using the Google Sans font. It has also seemingly adapted the Material You bottom navigation bar, with an oval-shaped cyan bubble surrounding the icons. A subsequent update could introduce the full Material You recoloring to Files by Google.
Google’s Nearby Share is also replacing the app’s built-in sharing feature with the latest update. It is an expected change as Nearby Sharing is now available on all Android devices with Google Mobile Services. So there’s no reason for Files by Google to have a separate file sharing feature on Android. If you recall, OnePlus removed the File Dash feature from the OnePlus File Manager app because of this very reason.
This change in Files by Google was previously spotted in an APK teardown in March. Google has also already detailed it on an official support page. As the company explains, both devices must be running the latest version of Files by Google for Nearby Share to work properly. You can transfer up to 500 files at once. The app will notify you when you reach the maximum number of files. Files received over Nearby Share are saved in the Downloads folder on Files by Google.