How to Retrieve Expired/Deleted Files from WeTransfer

How to retrieve expired or deleted files from WeTransfer? Can I download a transfer that expired? Scroll down to explore more.

Ivy

By Ivy / Updated on May 19, 2025

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WeTransfer is a cloud-based online platform. It allows you to transfer files to others, especially large files. Unlike other cloud storage, such as Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox, WeTransfer won’t run out of capacity and demand frequent cleaning.

You don’t need to create an account on WeTransfer to share files online safely. You can upload many types of large files quickly on WeTransfer and send the link to download them to other email addresses.

This service is free for transferring a maximum of 20 types of files, up to 3 GB per month, and 10 transfers. With WeTransfer Ultimate, you can set an expiration date for those uploaded files.

WeTransfer

Can I download a transfer that expired?

In the earlier days, you couldn't retrieve or download expired files from WeTransfer, regardless of the account. But now, it introduces a feature to recover expired transfers in the WeTransfer Ultimate account, and it's enabled by default when you create a new transfer.

You can also choose to disable this feature during the upload process, but you cannot change its status after uploading. It means you cannot download expired files even if you are using a WeTransfer Ultimate account. It is recommended to keep this feature and delete transfers from the list if your mind has changed.

Recoverable

How to retrieve expired files from WeTransfer?

Thus, if the sender has made their transfer as Recoverable, you can follow the steps below to retrieve expired files from WeTransfer. Usually, the recovery time is limited to 3 days for free users and 1 year for Ultimate users.

Step 1. Go to your download link and check if there is an option to recover the transfer.

Step 2. Click the Recover files button to recover and download the expired transfer.

Recover File Expired in WeTransfer

💡 Pro Tip: If the transfer was created before the recoverability option was introduced, it will not be recoverable. You can only contact the owner to upload the expired files to WeTransfer again. For WeTransfer files, you need to download the files as soon as possible.

What if you deleted WeTransfer files mistakenly?

Sometimes, you may delete WeTransfer files by mistake after downloading on a PC or iPhone. Usually, you can go to the Recycle Bin first to see whether the deleted WeTransfer files are in it. If not, your files may be permanently deleted. If the files are too large or the Recycle Bin has been emptied, you can’t find files in the Recycle Bin as well.

At this time, the best method is to employ a reliable data recovery software to retrieve them (if you don't have any backups). Don't worry, we will introduce two super useful software, one for Windows PC and the other for iPhone. 

Option 1: Recover deleted WeTransfer files with AOMEI FastRecovery (for Windows)

AOMEI FastRecovery is simple and reliable data recovery software that can quickly restore deleted files from HDDs, SSDs, SD cards, USB drives, cameras, etc., on Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, and Servers. 

AOMEI FastRecovery
Safe and Powerful WeTransfer File Recovery Software 
  • 🧩Scene matching - Deal with accidental deletion, formatted drive, Recycle Bin empty, virus infection, etc.
  • 👵Quick start - With a GUI interface, easy to follow, with no learning curve.
  • 🚀Fast scanning - Quick Scan takes only 3-5 seconds for deleted files/Recycle Bin. Deep Scan for USB/SD cards, also optional.
  • 🔄Flexible, hassle-free searching - Quickly search, filter, preview, and recover files during scanning, especially specific files or folders.
  • 📁1000+ data types  - Recover deleted or lost documents, images, audios, videos, etc., including large files.
  • 💻Partitioning well - Quickly find recovery locations, e.g., Recycle Bin, Desktop, Select folder, specific partitions (C:, D:, E:, etc.), or USB/SD cards.
  • 🛡️Safe & Reliable - AOMEI FastRecovery is read-only and does not write data to your device, causing data overwriting. Please contact us if you have any questions.
  • ...
⚠️Note: Don't download and install such software in the location where the WeTransfer files were deleted, as it may cause data overwriting. Meanwhile, stop using this drive, don't add or write new data, or restart your computer after data loss, especially those saved in the C: drive. The system partition is writing data at all times.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI FastRecovery on the computer and find the drive where the deleted WeTransfer files are saved before. Click Scan.

start-scan-d-drive

Step 2. It will scan the drive with Quick Scan. In addition, you can use the Filter and Search bar to quickly find the deleted WeTransfer files. 

scaning-large-files

Step 3. If the target file is still not found, click Deep Scan to search for more disappearing files on that drive. After that, tick the target files and click Recover.

recover-large-files

⚠️Notes:
  • Please save the recovered files to a new location instead of the original location as it may cause data overwriting. 

  • After scanning, you can double-click the files to preview and confirm that you select the right ones.

Option 2: Recover deleted WeTransfer files with MyRecover for iOS 

It’s easy to recover deleted WeTransfer files from iOS devices if you have iTunes or iCloud backups. However, there is a problem with restoring files from the backup. The previous backup will overwrite the existing data after restoring. To recover part of deleted iOS data, it's wise to use professional iPhone data recovery software.

MyRecover for iOS is highly recommended as it can individually recover deleted or lost photos, videos, notes, contacts, call history, WeChat data, etc., from all iOS devices, from iPhone 7 to newest iPhone 16/Plus/Pro/Max, and corresponding iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad Pro, iPod touch, and iPad. It takes only 3 easy steps to complete.

Step 1. Download AOMEI Data Recovery for iOS on your Windows PC. Connect your iOS devices to the computer and tap Trust the computer on your iOS devices.

Download Software iOS 10 and later
Secure Download

connect-ios-device

Step 2. After the software identifies your iOS devices, click “Scan Now” to start the scanning process.

scan-iphone-data

Step 3. Select the type of data from the left panel and click the file you want to recover. Click “Recover” in the top right corner to save it to another location.

Recover iPhone Data

FAQs about WeTransfer files

Where are WeTransfer files stored on phones?

To keep the files downloaded from WeTransfer, the program creates a folder called 'WeTransfer'. For images, they will be saved in Pictures under a WeTransfer folder, while for videos, you can access them in your device's Movies folder.

Can you recall WeTransfer?

If you don’t use a WeTransfer account to upload files, you can’t recall the uploaded files. After you finish the upload, you can only wait until the download link expires.

How to remove already sent files?

You can open the confirmation email you received after uploading the files. Click the “Delete Transfer” button on the “Manage Transfer” page to delete the transferred files immediately. Alternatively, you can find all of the uploaded files via transfer history. Files on WeTransfer can be deleted from the transfer history.

Conclusion

You can retrieve expired files from WeTransfer if you are using the Ultimate account or the shared link is recoverable, usually up to 3 days for free users after expiration. Otherwise, please contact the sender to re-share it on WeTransfer(if possible).

In addition, some users may deleted WeTransfer files accidentally after downloading, either on Windows PC or iOS devices. Please check the temporary storage or if there are any backups first. If not, try reliable data recovery software - AOMEI FastRecovery for Windows PC and MyRecover for iOS devices. 

Ivy
Ivy · Editor
Ivy is an editor of AOMEI Technology, she covers backup & restore,hard disk & partitions management and cloud files transfer and so on for AOMEI. She is an outgoing girl and enjoys helping people find solutions to their problems. She loves traveling, eating, reading and so on. She usually hangs out with friends at her leisure time.