Outlook on iPad is a widely-used email client that offers a seamless emailing experience. However, when you delete an email or folder on Outlook, it doesn’t get permanently deleted immediately. Instead, it goes to the "Deleted Items" folder, which acts as a recycle bin. While this feature can be useful, it may result in the accumulation of a large number of deleted items in your Outlook account, leading to performance issues. Therefore, it is essential to empty the deleted items folder from time to time. In this blog, we will discuss several methods to empty the deleted items folder in Outlook on iPad.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To empty the deleted items folder in Outlook on iPad, you need the following:
– An iPad with Outlook installed
– Active internet connection
What Should I Pay Attention to?
Before proceeding with the methods, there are a few things you should keep in mind when emptying the deleted items folder:
– Double-check the folder before emptying it as the process is irreversible, and you won’t be able to recover the deleted items once they are emptied.
– Once you delete an item or folder permanently, it cannot be restored.
– Ensure that you have backed up important emails and folders before emptying the folder.
Method 1: Emptying Deleted Items using the User Interface
1. Open the Outlook app on your iPad.
2. Tap on the "Deleted Items" folder.
3. Tap on the "Edit" button in the top-right corner of the screen.
4. Select the "Delete All" option located at the bottom of the screen.
5. A prompt will appear asking you to confirm the deletion. Tap on "Delete" to proceed.
Pros
– Easy and simple method
– No need for technical expertise
– Process can be completed within a few seconds
Cons
– Permanently deletes all items in the "Deleted Items" folder
– No option to restore deleted items
Method 2: Emptying Deleted Items using Settings
1. Open the Outlook app on your iPad.
2. Tap on the "Settings" gear icon located at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
3. Scroll down to the "Storage" section and tap on it.
4. Tap on the "Empty Deleted Items" option.
5. A prompt will appear asking you to confirm the deletion. Tap on "Delete" to proceed.
Pros
– Easy and simple method
– No need for technical expertise
Cons
– Permanently deletes all items in the "Deleted Items" folder
– No option to restore deleted items
Method 3: Emptying Deleted Items using Swipe Gestures
1. Open the Outlook app on your iPad.
2. Swipe left on the "Deleted Items" folder.
3. Select the "Empty Folder" option.
4. A prompt will appear asking you to confirm the deletion. Tap on "Delete" to proceed.
Pros
– Quick and easy method
– No need to navigate through multiple screens
Cons
– Permanently deletes all items in the "Deleted Items" folder
– No option to restore deleted items
Why Can’t I Empty the Deleted Items Folder?
There could be several reasons why you may not be able to empty the deleted items folder in Outlook on iPad, such as:
1. The folder contains important emails that you don’t want to delete.
2. The folder is corrupted or contains an item that cannot be deleted.
3. Your Outlook account has reached its storage limit.
Fixes:
1. You can move important emails to a different folder before deleting the contents of the deleted items folder.
2. Try restarting the Outlook app or your iPad before attempting to delete the contents of the folder. If the issue persists, you may need to contact Outlook support for assistance.
3. You can consider deleting unnecessary emails or upgrading your storage plan.
Suggestions
– Regularly empty the deleted items folder to prevent performance issues and improve the app’s overall speed.
– Create a backup of important emails and folders to avoid losing data.
5 FAQs
Q: Can I recover deleted items after emptying the deleted items folder?
A: No, once you have emptied the deleted items folder, the contents cannot be restored.
Q: How often should I empty the deleted items folder?
A: It is advisable to empty the deleted items folder every few months to ensure optimal performance.
Q: Will emptying the deleted items folder affect my other folders and emails?
A: No, emptying the deleted items folder only deletes the contents of that particular folder and does not affect other folders or emails.
Q: What should I do if I accidentally delete an important email?
A: If you accidentally delete an important email, you can try to recover it from the "Deleted Items" folder. If the email is not present in the folder, you may need to contact Outlook support for assistance.
Q: How can I avoid accidentally deleting important emails?
A: You can avoid accidentally deleting important emails by creating folders for different categories of emails and moving them accordingly. Additionally, you can enable the "Confirm before deleting" option in the settings to avoid accidental deletions.
Conclusion
Emptying the deleted items folder in Outlook on iPad is a simple process that can help prevent performance issues and speed up the app. The methods mentioned above provide different ways to accomplish this task, and you can choose the one that is most convenient for you. However, it is essential to be cautious while deleting items, and you should back up important emails before proceeding. Finally, by following the suggestions and FAQs mentioned in this article, you can ensure that you use Outlook on iPad efficiently and effectively.