Rescue Your Lost Files in Minutes

Losing photos on a phone can be frustrating, especially if they capture valuable memories.

Whether the images were accidentally deleted or lost due to a technical issue, there are multiple ways to recover them.

Understanding the different methods for restoring lost photos can make the process easier and increase the chances of a successful recovery.

There are several solutions available, including checking built-in features like the trash folder, restoring from a backup, or using specialized recovery tools.

In this guide, we will explore various ways to recover deleted photos on Android and iPhone devices.

Checking the Trash or Recently Deleted Folder

Most smartphones have a temporary storage system where deleted files remain for a certain period before they are permanently erased.

• Google Photos Trash (Android): Deleted images remain for 30 days and can be restored.
• Gallery App (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.): Many Android devices have a Trash or Recently Deleted folder.
• Recently Deleted Folder (iPhone): iPhones store deleted photos for 30 days before removing them permanently.

Steps to Recover Photos from the Trash Folder

For Android (Google Photos):

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap on Library and select Trash.
3. Look for deleted photos and select the ones you want to restore.
4. Tap Restore, and the photos will return to the main gallery.

For iPhone (Recently Deleted Album):

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

Checking these temporary storage folders should always be the first step when recovering deleted photos, as it is the simplest and most effective method if the images were removed recently.

Restoring Photos from a Backup

If the deleted photos are not in the trash folder, checking for a backup is the next step.

• Google Photos Backup (Android & iPhone): Photos backed up before deletion may still be available.
• iCloud Backup (iPhone): Checking iCloud Photos or restoring an earlier iCloud backup may help.
• Samsung Cloud (Samsung Devices): Navigate to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Restore Data to check for missing photos.

How to Restore Photos from Backup Services

Google Photos Backup:

1. Open Google Photos and sign in with your Google account.
2. Go to the Photos section and check if the missing images are there.
3. If you find them, download them back to your device.

iCloud Backup (for iPhone Users):

1. Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Photos.
2. Ensure iCloud Photos is turned on.
3. If your photos are not there, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Select Restore from iCloud Backup and choose a backup that contains your lost photos.

Using backups is one of the most reliable ways to recover deleted photos, but it requires that automatic backup features were enabled before the images were lost.

Using Photo Recovery Apps

If the trash folder and cloud backups do not contain the deleted photos, recovery apps may provide a solution.

• Best Recovery Apps for Android: DiskDigger, Dumpster, Dr.Fone – Data Recovery.
• Best Recovery Apps for iPhone: Dr.Fone – iOS Data Recovery, iMobie PhoneRescue, EaseUS MobiSaver.

How to Use Recovery Apps

For Android (Using DiskDigger):

1. Download DiskDigger from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and grant necessary permissions.
3. Run a scan to search for deleted images.
4. Select the photos you want to restore and save them.

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

1. Install Dr.Fone on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone using a USB cable.
3. Open the software and select Recover from iOS Device.
4. Let the program scan for deleted files and restore any found photos.

Some recovery apps require root access (Android) or jailbreak (iPhone) for deeper scans.

Recovering Photos Using a Computer

If mobile recovery apps are not effective, using PC or Mac software may provide better results.

• Best Computer Software for Photo Recovery: Recuva, Tenorshare UltData, Wondershare Dr.Fone.

Steps for PC Recovery

1. Install recovery software on a PC or Mac.
2. Connect the phone using a USB cable.
3. Enable USB debugging (Android) or Trust Device (iPhone).
4. Run a deep scan for deleted photos.
5. Restore and save images on the computer.

Using a computer for recovery increases the chances of success, especially if the phone’s storage has not been heavily used since deletion.

Seeking Professional Data Recovery Services

If all other methods fail, professional data recovery services may be the last option.

• When to Consider Professional Recovery:
  • When the phone is physically damaged.
  • When deleted files were stored in encrypted storage.
  • When all other recovery methods have failed.
• Top Professional Recovery Services:
  • DriveSavers
  • Ontrack Data Recovery
  • Stellar Data Recovery

These services can be expensive but are useful in critical situations.

Additional Tips to Increase Recovery Chances

The success of photo recovery depends on several factors.

Here are some additional tips to increase the chances of restoring lost images:

• Stop using the phone immediately after realizing the photos are missing. Continuing to use the phone can overwrite deleted files, making recovery impossible.
• Do not install new apps or updates on the phone before attempting recovery. Installing new data may replace lost files.
• Perform recovery as soon as possible to increase the chances of finding deleted photos before they are permanently removed.
• Try multiple recovery methods if one solution does not work. A combination of cloud backup, recovery apps, and computer software can yield better results.

Preventing Future Photo Loss

Taking proactive steps can prevent future photo loss.

• Enable automatic cloud backups (Google Photos, iCloud, Samsung Cloud).
• Keep a local backup on a computer or external hard drive.
• Use a recycle bin app like Dumpster for added protection.
• Be cautious when deleting photos and check for backups before removing them permanently.
• Store photos in multiple locations to reduce the risk of loss.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted photos on a phone is possible using various methods.

Checking the trash folder or recently deleted album is the simplest solution. If no backups exist, photo recovery apps or PC recovery software may help.

For extreme cases, professional data recovery services may be necessary.

Taking preventive measures such as automatic backups and external storage can help protect valuable memories and prevent future data loss.

By following these steps, users can increase their chances of successfully restoring

The best option for you

Don’t worry – with the DiskDigger app, you can easily recover your deleted photos and other media files in just a few steps…

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