Recover Deleted Photos

We’ve all been there—you accidentally delete a precious photo, and panic sets in. Whether it was a family picture, an important document, or a cherished memory, losing photos can be frustrating. But don’t worry! In most cases, deleted photos can be recovered, whether they were removed from your phone, computer, or cloud storage.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to recover deleted photos using different methods, from built-in recovery options to specialized software. Follow these steps, and you might just get your lost pictures back!

Can You Recover Deleted Photos?

Yes! When you delete a photo, it doesn’t vanish immediately. Instead, it’s usually moved to a temporary trash or recycle bin, where it stays for a certain period before being permanently erased. Even if it’s not in the trash, there are ways to restore it using backups or recovery tools.

How Long Do Deleted Photos Stay Recoverable?

• On Phones (Android & iPhone): Up to 30 days in the “Recently Deleted” folder.
• On Computers (Windows & Mac): Until the Recycle Bin or Trash is emptied.
• On Cloud Storage (Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive): Typically 30–60 days before permanent deletion.

How to Recover Deleted Photos on Android

Method 1: Check the Google Photos Trash

If you use Google Photos, your deleted pictures might still be in the Trash:

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Tap the Library tab and select Trash.
3. Look for your deleted photos.
4. Select the ones you want to restore and tap Restore.

Note: Photos stay in Trash for 60 days before being permanently deleted.

Method 2: Check Your File Manager or Gallery Trash

Many Android phones have a built-in “Recently Deleted” or “Trash” folder in the Gallery or File Manager apps. Check there and restore your images if they haven’t been permanently deleted.

Method 3: Use a Recovery App

If the photos are no longer in Trash, you can try third-party recovery apps like:

• DiskDigger (The free version recovers low-quality images, the paid version restores full-resolution photos)
• Dr.Fone Data Recovery
• EaseUS MobiSaver

These apps scan your device storage for deleted files and help recover them.

How to Recover Deleted Photos on iPhone

Method 1: Restore from Recently Deleted Album

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Go to Albums > Recently Deleted.
3. Select the photos you want to restore and tap Recover.

Note: Photos remain in this folder for 30 days before being permanently deleted.

Method 2: Restore from iCloud Backup

If your photos were backed up to iCloud, you can restore them by:

1. Going to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
2. Selecting a backup that includes your photos.
3. Restoring your device from that backup (this will erase current data, so be cautious).

Method 3: Use Third-Party Recovery Tools

If your photos are not in iCloud or the Recently Deleted folder, tools like iMobie PhoneRescue or Dr.Fone – iPhone Data Recovery can help scan your iPhone for recoverable images.

How to Recover Deleted Photos on Windows & Mac

Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac)

1. Open Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac).
2. Look for your deleted photos.
3. Right-click and select Restore (Windows) or Put Back (Mac).

Method 2: Restore from Backup (OneDrive, Google Drive, Time Machine)

• If you use OneDrive or Google Drive, log in and check the trash folder.
• On Mac, use Time Machine to restore deleted files from a previous backup.

Method 3: Use Photo Recovery Software

If your photos are permanently deleted, software like:

• Recuva (Windows)
• PhotoRec (Windows & Mac, free but advanced users only)
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows & Mac, paid but effective)

…can help scan your hard drive and recover lost images.

How to Recover Deleted Photos from Cloud Storage

Many people back up their photos to cloud services. Here’s how to recover them:

Google Photos

• Open Google Photos.
• Go to Trash and restore photos within 60 days.

iCloud Photos

• Visit iCloud.com, go to Photos > Recently Deleted, and restore your images.

OneDrive & Dropbox

• Log into your account and check the Recycle Bin for deleted photos.

📌 Most cloud services keep deleted photos for 30–60 days before permanent deletion.

Final Tips to Avoid Losing Photos in the Future

🔹 Enable automatic cloud backups (Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive).
🔹 Regularly transfer important photos to a computer or external hard drive.
🔹 Use a file recovery app immediately after accidental deletion for better chances of success.
🔹 Avoid overwriting deleted photos (stop taking new pictures if you need to recover old ones).

Conclusion

Losing important photos can be stressful, but in most cases, they are not gone forever. Whether you’re using an Android phone, iPhone, computer, or cloud storage, there are multiple ways to recover deleted photos and bring back your precious memories.

If you’ve accidentally deleted a picture, don’t panic—follow the methods in this guide, and you’ll likely get it back. To avoid this issue in the future, always keep a backup! Also, if you’re concerned about privacy on social media, you may want to learn How to Lock your Facebook Profile to protect your personal information from strangers.