How to Recover Deleted Photos from Your Phone

It’s a sinking feeling we all dread: the moment you realize you’ve accidentally deleted precious photos from your phone. Whether it’s a cherished memory or an important snapshot, the good news is that those pictures are often not gone for good. With the right steps, you can frequently recover deleted photos from your phone.

This guide will walk you through several methods for both Android and iPhone devices, from simple built-in features to third-party software.

How Is It Possible to Recover Deleted Photos?

When you delete a photo on your phone, it doesn’t usually vanish into thin air immediately. Instead, the operating system marks the space that the photo occupied as available for new data. The actual photo data remains on your phone’s flash storage until it is overwritten by new files. This is why acting quickly is crucial to increase your chances of a successful recovery. Think of it like removing a chapter title from a book’s table of contents; the pages are still there until something new is printed over them.

Recovering Deleted Photos on an iPhone

For iPhone users, there are a few primary ways to get your photos back. Let’s start with the simplest method.

Check the “Recently Deleted” Album

The first place you should always look is the “Recently Deleted” album within the Photos app. This feature is a lifesaver for accidental deletions.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the Albums tab at the bottom.
3. Scroll down to the “Utilities” section and tap on Recently Deleted.
4. You may need to use Face ID or Touch ID to open it.
5. Here, you’ll see all the photos and videos deleted within the last 30 days, along with the number of days remaining before they are permanently removed.
6. Tap Select in the top-right corner.
7. Choose the photos you want to get back.
8. Tap Recover at the bottom and confirm your choice. The photos will be restored to your main photo library.

This is the quickest and easiest way to recover deleted photos on your phone if the deletion was recent.

Restore from an iCloud Backup

If more than 30 days have passed or you’ve emptied the “Recently Deleted” album, your next best bet is an iCloud backup. This method will revert your entire phone to a previous state, so be aware that any data created after the backup date will be lost.

To restore from an iCloud backup:

1. First, check if you have a recent backup by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
2. If you have a suitable backup, you’ll need to erase your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Your iPhone will restart. Follow the on-screen setup instructions until you reach the “Apps & Data” screen.
4. Select Restore from iCloud Backup and sign in with your Apple ID.
5. Choose the backup that you believe contains your deleted photos.

For more details on restoring your device, you can visit the official Apple Support page.

Recovering Deleted Photos on an Android Phone

Android users have similar recovery options, primarily revolving around Google Photos and other backup services.

Look in the Google Photos Trash

Most Android phones use Google Photos as their primary gallery app. Much like the iPhone’s “Recently Deleted” folder, Google Photos has a “Trash” or “Bin” that holds deleted items for a period.

Here are the steps to recover your photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the Library tab at the bottom right.
3. Select the Trash (or Bin) folder at the top.
4. Long-press on any photo you wish to restore.
5. Tap Restore at the bottom. The photo will be moved back into your Google Photos library.

Photos that were backed up will stay in the trash for 60 days, while those that were not backed up will remain for 30 days. You can find more information on the Google Photos Help page.

Check Your Phone’s Gallery App Trash

Some Android manufacturers, like Samsung, include their own gallery app with a separate trash folder. If you use a different gallery app, be sure to check if it has a similar feature. The steps are generally similar to using the Google Photos trash.

Using Third-Party Recovery Software

If the methods above don’t work, specialized data recovery software might be able to help. These applications can perform a deep scan of your phone’s storage to find traces of deleted files.

For Android Users: DiskDigger

DiskDigger is a popular and effective photo recovery app for Android.

• How it works: DiskDigger can scan your phone’s internal memory or SD card for deleted photos. The free version can recover photos and videos. If your device is rooted, it can perform a more thorough scan.
• Keep in mind: The success of the recovery depends on how much time has passed since the deletion and whether the data has been overwritten. The free version may also recover lower-quality versions of your photos.

For iPhone Users: Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (iOS)

For iPhone users seeking a powerful tool, Dr.Fone by Wondershare is a well-regarded option.

• How it works: This desktop software allows you to connect your iPhone to a computer and scan for recoverable data. It can recover photos directly from the device, or from iTunes and iCloud backups without a full restore.
• Keep in mind: Dr.Fone is a premium tool, so you will need to purchase a license to recover files. It offers a free trial to preview the recoverable photos before you commit.

A word of caution: Be wary of less reputable recovery apps. Always download software from official websites or trusted app stores.

Preventive Measures for the Future

Losing photos is stressful, but it can often be avoided. The best way to protect your memories is to have a solid backup strategy.

• Enable Automatic Backups: Ensure that Google Photos or iCloud Photos is set to automatically back up your pictures. This is the most reliable way to keep your photos safe.
• Regularly Check Your Backup Settings: Occasionally verify that your backups are running correctly and that you have enough cloud storage space.
• Think Before You Delete: Take an extra moment to confirm before permanently deleting photos, especially from the “Recently Deleted” or “Trash” folders.

By following these steps, you have a strong chance to recover deleted photos from your phone and can take measures to prevent it from happening again.