How to Recover Deleted Photos on Android

Edited 5 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Losing photos from your Android device can be quite frustrating. These photos may be precious memories or important images needed for work or personal purposes. Fortunately, there are several ways you can recover deleted photos. This guide aims to explain the different methods in detail, so that by the end, you have the knowledge to recover your lost images.

Understanding how to delete photos on Android

When you delete a photo on an Android device, it is not immediately permanently deleted. Instead, the system marks the space occupied by the deleted photo as available for new data. As long as this space is not overwritten by new data, there is a chance to recover the deleted photo.

Many Android devices have a "Recently Deleted" folder in the Gallery app. Usually, deleted photos are stored there for about 30 days. If you have not exceeded this time limit, you can easily restore your photos.

Checking the "Recently Deleted" folder

The first step to recovering deleted photos is to check if they are in the "Recently Deleted" folder. This is the easiest method and is often the first method to try:

1. Open the Gallery or Photos app on your Android device.
2. Go to the Albums section.
3. Find and tap Recently Deleted or Trash.
4. Browse to the folder. If you find the photo you want to recover, select it and tap Restore.

Note that depending on the manufacturer and the version of the Android operating system, the steps may vary slightly. For example, Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi may have different paths to access recently deleted items.

Using Google Photos for recovery

If you use Google Photos, it automatically backs up and organizes your photos. This can be very helpful if you have deleted photos from your device storage. Here's how to check for deleted photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap Library at the bottom.
3. Go to the Trash (or Bin) folder.
4. You will see the deleted photos. These remain for 60 days, after which they are permanently deleted. Select the photos you want to restore and tap Restore.

Make sure your Google account is synced with Google Photos; otherwise, the app might not have backed up your pictures.

Using a backup solution

Regular backups are vital for data security. If you have been taking regular backups using your Android's in-built backup feature or a third-party app like Dropbox, OneDrive or even Google Drive, then recovering deleted photos becomes an easy task. Here is a common way to use backups:

1. Make sure the backup service is enabled and working properly.
2. Login to the backup service using your credentials.
3. Navigate through your backup files.
4. Check the latest backup before deleting your photos.
5. Find your deleted photos and restore them according to the options available in that particular service.

Using Android data recovery software

If you can't find your photos in the "Recently Deleted" folder or cloud backup services, consider using data recovery software. These specialized tools are designed to recover lost data from Android devices. Although they can often recover deleted pictures, use them with caution as they cannot always guarantee full recovery. Here's how you can use such a tool:

1. Choose reliable software: Find reputable Android data recovery software online. Some popular software include DiskDigger, dr.fone, and EaseUS MobiSaver.
2. Install the software: Download and install the recovery software on your Windows PC or Mac.
3. Enable USB debugging: On your Android device, go to Settings > About phone, tap the build number seven times to enable Developer options. Then, go back to Settings, find Developer options, and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect to computer: Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to the computer.
5. Run the recovery software: Open the data recovery software and follow the on-screen instructions. The software will scan for recoverable photos.
6. Select and recover photos: After the scan is complete, you will see a list of recoverable files. Preview and select the photos you want to recover, then follow the steps to restore them to your device.

Keep in mind that some recovery tools may require rooting your device, which may void your warranty and pose a security risk.

Precautions to avoid data loss

To minimize the chances of losing photos in the future, consider following these best practices:

• Regular backups: Make it a habit to back up your data regularly. Use cloud services like Google Photos, OneDrive, or device-specific cloud solutions.
• Do not overwrite: If you accidentally deleted a photo, avoid saving new data to prevent overwriting the memory space of the deleted files.
• Prevention tools: Instead of reacting after files are deleted, proactively use file recovery tools and apps.
• Protective features: Take advantage of built-in device features like Android's auto-backup, or take advantage of third-party apps designed to protect and intelligently back up photos and other data.

Conclusion

It is often possible to recover deleted photos on an Android device if you act quickly and use the proper methods. Start with simple solutions like checking the "Recently Deleted" folder or cloud backups before using more advanced solutions like data recovery software. Make sure you maintain regular data backups and use data recovery methods carefully to prevent further loss.

Remember, the more time passes since deletion, the less likely successful recovery is, primarily due to the possibility of data being overwritten. It's always best to take immediate action as soon as you discover photos have been deleted.

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