> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://zite.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Delete uploaded files

> Permanently delete uploaded files and sensitive documents from a Zite database, and see how long backups keep them.

Clearing a file from an attachment cell is not enough. To permanently delete an uploaded file, delete the whole record, then remove any named backups that include that record.

## Permanently delete a file from a database

Delete the whole record, not just the file in the cell. Then remove any named backups that include that record.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Clearing a file from an attachment cell without deleting the record does not remove the file from storage.

Deleting a database record marks it deleted. Its files stay stored for at least 7 days, and longer if the database has an older backup that includes the record. After that, the files are removed automatically, unless another record still uses the same file.

Permanently deleting a database deletes all of its attachments.

## Delete sensitive documents

For a sensitive document in a database, such as an ID upload:

1. [Delete the whole record](/help/database/manage-data/delete-records.md), not just the file in the cell.
2. Remove any [named backups](/help/database/manage-data/backup-and-restore.md) that include that record.

The file is then removed after at least 7 days, unless another record still uses it.

## How long are backups kept

You can keep up to 10 named backups per database, and they never expire. Point-in-time restore goes back 1 day on Free and 7 days on paid plans.

Because named backups do not expire, a deleted record's file can be kept as long as an older backup that contains it exists. Delete those backups too if you need the file gone.

## Need a file removed sooner

If you need a file removed sooner, or need confirmation that it is gone, contact [support@zite.com](mailto:support@zite.com). For security questions, email [security@zite.com](mailto:security@zite.com).

Related topics

[Delete records](/help/database/manage-data/delete-records.md)
[Backup and restore](/help/database/manage-data/backup-and-restore.md)
[Security at Zite](/help/security.md)


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.