How to Recover Deleted Photos on Android and iPhone
Have you ever accidentally deleted an important photo?
Or maybe you lost valuable images due to a system error?
You’re not alone. Many Android and iPhone (iOS) users go through this situation. The good news is that there are ways you can try to recover your lost photos.
Let’s start with the basics: restoring photos from the trash.
📱 Recover Photos from Trash (Android)
Step-by-step:
- Open your phone’s Gallery
- Tap the three dots in the top corner
- Select “Trash” or “Recently Deleted”
- Choose the photo you want
- Tap “Restore”
📱 Recover Photos from Trash (iPhone)
Step-by-step:
- Open the Photos app
- Go to the Albums section
- Find the “Recently Deleted” folder
- Select the photo
- Tap “Recover”
☁️ Recover Photos Using Google Photos
One of the most reliable options is using Google Photos, especially if backup is enabled.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Google Photos app
- Tap the menu (three lines in the top corner)
- Go to “Trash”
- Scroll to find your deleted photos
- Tap and hold to select one or more images
- Tap “Restore”
Once restored, your photos will return to your gallery and original albums (if applicable).
📂 Where Your Restored Photos Go
After recovery, your photos will usually appear in:
- Your phone’s Gallery app
- Your Google Photos library
- Original albums (if they were organized before)
⚠️ Important Limitations
- Photos deleted more than 60 days ago may not be recoverable from the trash
- Recovery is not guaranteed in all situations
- New data on your device can overwrite deleted files
🔄 Still Can’t Recover Your Photos?
If Google Photos didn’t work, you still have a few alternatives:
- Check other devices linked to your account
- Look for backups in cloud services
- Try recovery apps (listed below)
📲 Best Apps to Try Photo Recovery
Below are some apps that may help you attempt to recover deleted photos. Results can vary depending on your device and storage condition.
DiskDigger
DiskDigger is a popular app for scanning deleted photos.
How to use:
- Install the app from Google Play
- Open it and tap “Start Basic Photo Scan”
- Wait for the scan
- Select the files
- Tap “Recover”
⚠️ Some features may require a paid version.
👉 You will be redirected to the App Store
📥
DigDeep Image Recovery
This app is known for its simple interface and ease of use.
How to use:
- Open the app
- Allow it to scan your storage
- Browse found images
- Select and restore files
⚠️ No root required in most cases.
👉 You will be redirected to the App Store
📥
Undeleter Data Recovery
A more advanced option that can scan both internal storage and SD cards.
How to use:
- Install and open the app
- Choose scan type
- Wait for results
- Select files and restore
⚠️ Some features may require root access.
👉 You will be redirected to the App Store
📥
Dumpster (Recycle Bin App)
Dumpster works like a recycle bin for your phone.
How it works:
- Install the app
- It automatically saves deleted files
- Restore files directly from the app
⚠️ Only works for files deleted after installation.
👉 You will be redirected to the App Store
📥
Photo Recovery Apps (General)
Some apps offer deeper scans and allow you to move recovered files to different locations.
Basic steps:
- Open the app
- Start scan
- Select recoverable images
- Save them to your device
✅ Final Thoughts
From everyday moments to unforgettable memories, photos are valuable and worth protecting.
Losing them can be frustrating, but as you’ve seen, there are several methods you can try. Whether using built-in features like the trash folder or third-party apps, recovery may be possible in some cases.
Just remember: results are not guaranteed, and acting quickly can improve your chances.
For the future, keeping backups enabled is the best way to avoid losing important files again.
