How to Recover Deleted Photos: A Complete Guide for Android and iPhone Users

Photos are precious—they’re more than just digital files. They hold memories of birthdays, holidays, family moments, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Accidentally deleting those photos can feel like a punch in the gut. But don’t worry—there are effective ways to recover deleted photos, even if it seems like they’re gone for good.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to recover deleted photos from your phone, whether you’re using an Android device or an iPhone. We’ll also look at recovery methods involving cloud backups, SD cards, and third-party recovery tools.

Phone Overheating: What Causes It and How to Fix It

Why You Might Need to Recover Deleted Photos

Before diving into recovery solutions, it’s important to understand how and why photos get deleted in the first place. Knowing this will help you act faster and choose the right recovery method.

Common Reasons Photos Are Deleted

• Accidental deletion: The most common reason. You may tap the delete button without realizing or mistakenly select the wrong photos.
• System updates or bugs: Some updates may glitch or reset apps, causing photos to disappear.
• Factory resets: Resetting your device wipes all data, including photos.
• Storage issues or corrupt files: A malfunctioning SD card or internal memory issue can lead to lost images.

Fortunately, in most cases, it’s possible to recover deleted photos—especially if you act quickly.

Understanding Photo Deletion: What Happens When You Delete a Photo?

When you delete a photo, it’s not immediately erased from your phone’s storage. Instead, the space it occupied is marked as “available,” and the photo remains recoverable until that space is overwritten by new data. This means your chances to recover deleted photos are highest if you act as soon as possible.

How to Recover Deleted Photos on Android Phones

Android phones vary by brand, but most modern models include built-in recovery features and access to cloud backups.

1. Check the Google Photos Trash Bin

If you use Google Photos, deleted images are stored in the Trash (or Bin) for 30 days.

Steps:

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Tap the Library tab.
3. Go to Trash or Bin.
4. Find and select the deleted photo(s).
5. Tap Restore to recover them.

This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to recover deleted photos if they were synced to Google Photos.

2. Use the Built-in Gallery Recycle Bin (Samsung Devices)

Samsung’s Gallery app has a built-in Recycle Bin that stores deleted items for 30 days.

Steps:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu or More.
3. Select Recycle Bin.
4. Tap the photos you want to recover.
5. Tap Restore.

This method works even if you don’t use Google Photos, giving Samsung users another path to recover deleted photos.

3. Use Cloud Backup Services

If you’ve backed up your photos to a cloud storage service, you can easily restore them.

Google Drive:

• Open Google Drive.
• Search for your photos or check the Photos folder.
• Download them to your phone.

Dropbox/OneDrive:

• Open the respective app.
• Navigate to the folder where photos are stored.
• Select and download your deleted images.

Cloud storage is one of the most reliable ways to recover deleted photos, especially if you sync frequently.

4. Use a Photo Recovery App

If the trash folder or cloud doesn’t have your photos, try a photo recovery app. These apps scan your device for residual photo data that hasn’t been overwritten yet.

Recommended Apps:

• DiskDigger Photo Recovery (for rooted devices)
• Dumpster
• Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android)

Steps:

1. Install a recovery app from the Play Store.
2. Grant storage permissions.
3. Run a basic or deep scan.
4. Preview and select deleted images.
5. Recover and save the photos.

These tools are powerful for those who need to recover deleted photos not backed up or found in trash folders.

⚠️ Note: Some apps require root access for full functionality. Rooting can void warranties and pose security risks.

How to Recover Deleted Photos on iPhone

Apple devices offer built-in recovery options that are easy to use and effective.

1. Use the “Recently Deleted” Album

Photos deleted from your iPhone go to the Recently Deleted folder, where they stay for 30 days before being permanently removed.

Steps:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Scroll to Recently Deleted (under Albums).
3. Tap Select in the top-right corner.
4. Choose the photos you want back.
5. Tap Recover.

This is the simplest way to recover deleted photos on an iPhone.

2. Recover from an iCloud Backup

If your iPhone was backed up before deletion, you can restore from an earlier iCloud backup.

⚠️ Be careful: this process overwrites your current data.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Set up your device again and choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
4. Sign in and select the appropriate backup.

This method works best when other recovery options fail.

3. Use iTunes or Finder Backup (Mac/Windows)

If you’ve backed up your iPhone via iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac), you can use that backup to recover deleted photos.

Steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and newer).
3. Select your iPhone.
4. Click Restore Backup.
5. Choose a backup that contains the lost photos.

This method restores your entire phone, not just photos.

4. Use iOS Recovery Tools

When nothing else works, third-party recovery tools can help.

Popular Tools:

• iMobie PhoneRescue
• Tenorshare UltData
• Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (iOS)

These tools allow you to recover deleted photos without fully wiping your iPhone.

Recovering Deleted Photos from an SD Card

If your phone saves images to a microSD card, you might be able to recover them even after deletion.

Steps:

1. Remove the SD card from your phone.
2. Insert it into a card reader and connect to your PC.
3. Use tools like:
   • Recuva
   • PhotoRec
   • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
4. Run a scan, preview deleted photos, and recover them.

This method is especially helpful for older Android phones or cameras that use SD cards.

Pro Tips to Recover Deleted Photos Successfully

• Stop Using Your Phone: Don’t take new photos or install new apps. This prevents overwriting.
• Act Quickly: The sooner you try to recover, the better your chances.
• Back Up Immediately After Recovery: Once you recover deleted photos, save them to a secure location.
• Use Multiple Recovery Methods: Combine trash folders, cloud backups, and recovery apps if needed.

How to Prevent Photo Loss in the Future

Once you’ve managed to recover deleted photos, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

1. Turn on Cloud Sync

Use Google Photos, iCloud, or OneDrive for automatic backups.

2. Regularly Export to a Computer

Copy photos to your PC or external hard drive for additional safety.

3. Use a Photo Backup App

Apps like Photobucket or Amazon Photos offer extra layers of protection.

4. Avoid Random Deletions

Always double-check before tapping “Delete,” especially in batch selections.

Myths About Recovering Deleted Photos

❌ Myth: “Once deleted, the photo is gone forever.”

✅ Fact: Deleted photos can often be recovered until they’re overwritten.

❌ Myth: “You must be a tech expert to recover deleted photos.”

✅ Fact: Most recovery methods are user-friendly and designed for beginners.

❌ Myth: “You need expensive software.”

✅ Fact: Many recovery tools are free or affordable and work very well.

Final Thoughts

Losing photos can be devastating, but the good news is you can often recover deleted photos with a little effort and the right tools. Whether you’re using built-in trash bins, cloud backups, or advanced recovery software, there’s almost always a way to get your images back.

Just remember: speed is crucial. The sooner you try to recover your lost photos, the higher your chances of success.

Set up regular backups, use cloud services, and handle your photos with care—and you’ll never lose a precious memory again.