You hit delete by accident. Maybe your thumb slipped, or you were clearing space in a panic. Now you’re staring at an empty Photos app wondering if those memories are gone for good. Here’s the real talk: how to find recently deleted photos is one of the most common digital recovery questions people ask, and the good news is that most of the time, your photos aren’t actually gone yet. They’re just hidden in a temporary holding area, waiting for you to either restore them or let them vanish permanently.
This guide walks you through exactly how to recover those photos on iPhone, Android, and cloud services—plus the safety steps that professionals recommend to avoid losing data again.
The Recently Deleted Folder: Your Safety Net
Both Apple and Google built in a grace period for deleted photos. Think of it like a trash can that doesn’t get emptied immediately—your photos sit there for 30 days (on iPhone) or 60 days (on Android) before permanent deletion kicks in. This is your first and best option for recovery, and it’s built right into the operating system.
Apple calls it “Recently Deleted.” Google calls it “Trash.” Same concept, different names. The reason they exist is simple: people make mistakes, and tech companies know it. This feature has saved millions of photos from permanent loss.
The window matters. If you deleted a photo yesterday, you’ve got plenty of time. If it’s been 25 days, move fast. After the grace period expires, recovery becomes exponentially harder and often requires professional data recovery services (which get expensive).
Pro Tip: Set a phone reminder for day 25 if you’re unsure about a deletion. That gives you a five-day buffer before permanent loss, and it takes zero effort.
How to Recover Photos on iPhone
Let’s start with iPhone, since that’s where most accidental deletions happen (based on support forum traffic). The process is straightforward, but there are a few variations depending on your iOS version.
Step-by-Step iPhone Recovery
- Open the Photos app. Don’t overthink this—just tap the Photos icon on your home screen.
- Tap “Albums” at the bottom. You’ll see a list of all your photo collections and folders.
- Scroll down and look for “Recently Deleted.” It’s usually near the bottom of the Albums list. If you don’t see it, your phone might not have any recently deleted photos, or they’ve already been permanently erased.
- Tap “Recently Deleted.” You’ll see a grid of all photos and videos deleted in the last 30 days. They’ll show a countdown timer in the corner indicating how many days until permanent deletion.
- Select the photos you want to recover. Tap “Select” in the top-right corner, then tap each photo you want to restore. You can select multiple photos at once.
- Tap “Recover.” The photos will return to your main library, usually in their original albums or in a default folder.
That’s it. The entire process takes about 90 seconds, and your photos are back in your library like nothing happened.
Safety Note: If you don’t see the Recently Deleted folder, it’s possible someone else deleted the photos and the 30-day window has already closed. In that case, you’ll need to explore backup options (see the cloud backup section below) or consider third-party recovery tools.
If you’re running an older version of iOS (pre-iOS 8), the Recently Deleted folder might not exist on your device. Check your iCloud settings to see if cloud backup is enabled—that’s your backup plan in that case.
Recovering Deleted Photos on Android
Android’s approach is similar to iPhone’s, but the exact steps vary depending on whether you’re using Google Photos, Samsung’s Gallery app, or another manufacturer’s default app. Let’s cover the most common scenarios.
Google Photos (Most Android Phones)
Google Photos is the most widely used photo app on Android, and it has a robust trash system.
- Open Google Photos. Launch the app on your device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner. A menu will drop down.
- Select “Settings.” Scroll down until you find the option for “Trash” or “Bin.”
- Tap “Trash.” You’ll see all photos deleted in the last 60 days.
- Long-press the photos you want to recover. Select multiple photos if needed.
- Tap “Restore.” The photos will return to your library.
Google Photos keeps deleted photos for 60 days, which is double iPhone’s window. This is genuinely helpful if you’re the type who doesn’t notice a deletion for a few weeks.
Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung’s Gallery app has its own Recently Deleted folder, separate from Google Photos.
- Open the Gallery app. This is Samsung’s default photo app (different from Google Photos).
- Tap the three-line menu icon. It’s usually in the top-left or top-right corner.
- Look for “Trash” or “Recently Deleted.” The exact name varies by Galaxy model and One UI version.
- Select the photos you want to restore. Tap the restore button (usually at the bottom).
The timing is similar to other Android devices—around 30 days before permanent deletion.
Real Talk: If you’re using multiple photo apps on Android, photos might be deleted from one app but still exist in another. Google Photos and the Samsung Gallery app maintain separate trash folders. Check both if your photos aren’t where you expect them to be.
Using Cloud Backups (iCloud, Google Photos)
Here’s where things get interesting: if you’ve enabled cloud backup, your photos might be recoverable even after the Recently Deleted folder empties. This is a lifesaver for people who don’t catch deletions immediately.
iCloud Backup (iPhone)
iCloud automatically backs up your photos if you have iCloud+ enabled (or the older iCloud Photo Library feature turned on). This is different from the Recently Deleted folder—it’s a separate safety layer.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud. You’ll see your iCloud storage status.
- Tap “Photos.” Check if iCloud Photos is enabled. If it’s on, your photos are being backed up to Apple’s servers.
- If iCloud Photos is enabled, go to iCloud.com on a computer. Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Click “Photos.” You’ll see your entire photo library as it exists in iCloud.
- Look for deleted photos in the Recently Deleted album. Even if they’re gone from your phone, they might still be in the cloud trash.
- If you find them, recover them from iCloud.com. They’ll sync back to your device automatically.
The catch: iCloud backup only works if you’ve had it enabled before the deletion happened. If you just turned it on after losing photos, it won’t help with those specific images.
Google Photos Backup (Android & iPhone)
Google Photos has a similar backup system that works across devices. If you’re using Google Photos on iPhone, this is especially valuable because it provides a backup independent of iCloud.
- Open Google Photos. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Google account you use for backup.
- Tap your profile icon > Settings > Backup and sync. Verify that backup is enabled.
- Go to Google Photos on the web (photos.google.com). Sign in with your Google account.
- Click the trash icon (usually in the left sidebar). You’ll see your cloud trash, which keeps photos for 60 days.
- Select photos to restore and click “Restore.” They’ll return to your library.
Google Photos is particularly useful because it works on both iPhone and Android, and the cloud trash is independent of your device’s local trash. This means you have two chances to recover: once from your phone’s Recently Deleted folder, and again from Google Photos’ cloud trash.
Pro Tip: If you use both iCloud and Google Photos, you’ve got redundant backups. This is overkill for most people, but it’s genuinely bulletproof for photo recovery. The trade-off is that you’re storing photos in multiple places, which uses more cloud storage.
Third-Party Recovery Tools: When to Use Them
If the Recently Deleted folder is empty and your cloud backups don’t have the photos, you’re entering third-party recovery territory. This is where things get technical—and sometimes sketchy.
What Third-Party Tools Actually Do
Apps like DiskDigger, EaseUS, and PhoneRescue scan your device’s storage for “deleted” data that hasn’t been overwritten yet. When you delete a photo, the file isn’t actually erased immediately—it’s just marked as deleted. The actual data sits on your device until something else gets written over that space. Third-party tools try to recover that data before it’s overwritten.
Here’s the reality: this works maybe 60-70% of the time, depending on how long ago the deletion happened and how much you’ve used your device since. Every photo you take, every app you download, every cache that gets cleared increases the chance that your deleted photo’s data has been overwritten. Once it’s overwritten, it’s gone for good—even professional data recovery services can’t help.
Which Tools Are Legitimate?
Stick with established companies that have been around for years. EaseUS and DiskDigger have solid reputations. Avoid anything that promises 100% recovery or sounds too good to be true—those are red flags for scams or malware.
Before using any third-party tool, understand that many of them require you to either root your Android device or jailbreak your iPhone. This voids warranties and introduces security risks. It’s a last-resort option, not a first choice.
Safety Warning: Some third-party recovery apps ask for excessive permissions or require you to disable security features. If an app asks you to turn off Find My iPhone, disable two-factor authentication, or grant unusual permissions, don’t use it. Legitimate recovery tools don’t need to compromise your security.
A better approach: if you absolutely need to recover deleted photos and the built-in tools don’t work, contact a professional data recovery service. They’re expensive ($300-$1000+), but they have lab equipment and expertise that consumer apps don’t have. Check reviews on the Better Business Bureau before choosing a service.
Preventing Permanent Photo Loss
This is where the real value lives. Recovery is great, but prevention is better. Here’s how to make sure you never lose photos again.
Enable Automatic Backups
For iPhone: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos. Turn on “iCloud Photos.” This backs up every photo you take to Apple’s servers automatically. You’ll need at least 50GB of iCloud storage (the free tier gives you 5GB, which fills up fast if you take lots of photos).
For Android: Open Google Photos > your profile icon > Settings > Backup and sync. Turn on backup. Google Photos offers unlimited storage for compressed photos (which is good enough for most people), or high-quality storage if you want lossless backups.
The beauty of automatic backup is that you don’t have to remember to do anything. Photos sync to the cloud in the background, and you’ve got a copy stored safely away from your phone.
Use Multiple Backup Methods
Don’t rely on a single backup method. If you have an iPhone, enable both iCloud and Google Photos. If you have an Android phone, enable Google Photos and consider using your manufacturer’s backup (Samsung Cloud, OneDrive, etc.). Redundancy sounds excessive until you actually need it.
Regular Computer Backups
Once a month, plug your phone into a computer and back up your photos to an external hard drive. This takes 15 minutes and gives you a physical backup that doesn’t depend on cloud services or your phone’s storage.
On Mac, use the Photos app. On Windows, use File Explorer or a backup tool like Backblaze. The specific tool doesn’t matter as long as you’re copying photos to a location that’s separate from your phone and your primary computer.
Pro Tip: Store that external hard drive somewhere other than your desk. If your house floods, catches fire, or gets robbed, an external drive sitting next to your computer is just as vulnerable as the photos on your phone. Keep it in a safe deposit box, a friend’s house, or a fireproof safe.
Safety and Security Considerations
When you’re recovering photos or setting up backups, security matters. Here’s what you need to know.
Two-Factor Authentication
If you’re accessing cloud backups through iCloud.com or Google Photos on the web, make sure you have two-factor authentication enabled on your accounts. This prevents someone else from accessing your photos if they somehow get your password. For iCloud, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security. For Google, go to myaccount.google.com > Security.
If you’re using a third-party recovery app, never disable two-factor authentication to use it. A legitimate app doesn’t need that level of access.
Privacy on Shared Devices
If you’re recovering photos on a shared computer or device, remember to sign out of your accounts when you’re done. Cloud services remember login information, and if someone else uses that device, they could access your photos.
Malware and Sketchy Apps
Only download recovery apps from official app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play). Sideloaded apps or apps from third-party stores are more likely to contain malware. Check reviews and ratings before installing anything.
If an app asks for permission to access your contacts, messages, or location to recover photos, that’s a red flag. Photo recovery shouldn’t require those permissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to recover deleted photos?
– On iPhone, you have 30 days from the deletion date. On Android (Google Photos), you have 60 days. After that, the photos are permanently deleted from the Recently Deleted or Trash folder. However, if you have cloud backups enabled, the photos might still be recoverable from your cloud storage even after the local trash is emptied.
Can I recover photos after the Recently Deleted folder is empty?
– Yes, but it gets harder. If you have iCloud or Google Photos backups enabled, check those first—they often retain photos longer than the Recently Deleted folder. If backups don’t have the photos, you’ll need to use third-party recovery tools, and success rates drop significantly the longer you wait. The longer your device has been used since the deletion, the more likely the data has been overwritten.
Do third-party recovery apps really work?
– They work sometimes, depending on timing and how much your device has been used since deletion. Success rates are roughly 50-70% if you act quickly, but drop significantly after a few weeks. They’re a last resort, not a first choice. Professional data recovery services have better success rates but cost $300-$1000+.
What’s the difference between iCloud Photos and iCloud Backup?
– iCloud Photos (or iCloud Photo Library) syncs all your photos to iCloud and keeps them in sync across devices. iCloud Backup backs up your entire phone, including photos, to iCloud. They’re different systems. You can have one without the other, though having both provides redundancy. Check your settings to see which one you have enabled.
If I enable Google Photos backup, will my photos be deleted from my phone?
– No. Google Photos backup creates a copy in the cloud. Your photos stay on your phone. The only reason photos would be deleted from your phone is if you manually delete them or if you run out of storage and your phone automatically deletes cached versions (which is rare). Enabling backup adds a safety net without removing anything from your device.
Can I recover photos if I never set up backups?
– If the Recently Deleted folder still has them, yes—that’s built-in and doesn’t require any setup. If the Recently Deleted folder is empty, recovery becomes much harder. You’d need to use third-party tools, and success isn’t guaranteed. This is why setting up backups now is so important, even if you’ve already lost photos in the past.
Is it safe to use third-party recovery apps?
– Legitimate apps from established companies are generally safe. Stick with apps from the official App Store or Google Play, and avoid anything that requires you to jailbreak your iPhone or root your Android device. Read reviews carefully, and if something feels sketchy, it probably is. When in doubt, contact a professional data recovery service instead.
What happens if I restore a photo from Recently Deleted—does it go back to its original album?
– Usually, yes. Restored photos typically return to their original album or folder. However, if the original album was deleted, the photo might go to a default folder like “All Photos” or “Camera Roll.” The exact behavior depends on your device and operating system, but the photo will be back in your library either way.
Can I recover permanently deleted photos from my cloud backup?
– It depends on when they were deleted. If you deleted them from your device but they’re still in your cloud backup, yes. If you deleted them from both your device and your cloud backup, they’re gone. Cloud services typically keep deleted items for 30-60 days, similar to local Recently Deleted folders. After that, they’re permanently removed from the cloud as well.
If I delete a photo from iCloud.com, is it gone from my phone too?
– Yes, if you have iCloud Photos enabled, deleting from the cloud deletes from all synced devices. The photo will move to Recently Deleted on your phone, giving you 30 days to recover it. If you delete it from Recently Deleted, then it’s gone everywhere. This is why the Recently Deleted folder is so important—it’s your last line of defense before permanent deletion.
