How to Recover Deleted Photos from Your Phone – Android Guide

When you accidentally delete photos on your Android phone, you can recover deleted photos with simple steps.

This guide walks you through various methods, from checking the trash folder to using third-party apps, ensuring you can get your memories back quickly.

Check Google Photos Trash

If you accidentally delete photos on your Android, Google Photos may have stored them in the Trash for up to 30 days. Here's how to recover them quickly.

1. Open the Google Photos app on your Android phone.
2. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines or your profile picture in the top-right corner).
3. Select Trash from the menu.
4. Browse the deleted photos; they are stored for up to 30 days.
5. Tap on the photo(s) you want to recover.
6. Click Restore to return the photo(s) to your library or original album.

Android's Built-In Gallery App

If you're not using Google Photos, your phone's built-in gallery app may have a Recently Deleted folder. Here's how to check and recover your photos.

1. Open your phone's Gallery app.
2. Navigate to the Albums tab or similar section.
3. Look for the Recently Deleted or Trash folder.
4. Tap on the folder to view deleted photos, usually kept for up to 30 days.
5. Select the images you want to recover.
6. Tap Restore to bring them back to your gallery.

Third-Party Recovery Apps

If your photos aren't in the trash or gallery, third-party recovery apps can help retrieve them. These apps scan your phone for recoverable files. Here's how to use them.

1. Download a trusted recovery app like DiskDigger or Dr.Fone from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and grant necessary permissions (such as accessing storage).
3. Choose the type of file you want to recover, in this case, Photos.
4. The app will scan your device for deleted files.
5. Browse through the list of recoverable photos.
6. Select the images you wish to recover and tap Restore or Recover.
7. Save the recovered photos back to your device or cloud storage.

Restore from Cloud Backup Services

If you've enabled cloud backups, recovering deleted photos from cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox is easy. Follow these steps to restore your images.

1. Open the Google Drive, Dropbox, or your preferred cloud storage app.
2. Sign in with the account you used to back up the photos.
3. Navigate to the Photos folder or search for the deleted images.
4. Select the photos you want to restore.
5. Tap Download to save them back to your device.
6. Ensure you enable automatic backup for future protection.

Explore Social Media Syncs

Many social media platforms automatically sync and store your photos. If you've posted or synced pictures on social media, you might be able to recover them from there. 

Here's how to explore social media syncs for photo recovery.

• Open Facebook, Instagram, or other social media apps where you may have synced or posted your photos.
• Go to your profile and check the Photos or Albums section.
• Look through your posts, stories, or saved photos to find the images you want to recover.
• If the photo is found, download it by tapping the Download or Save option.
• Check if these platforms offer automatic sync and enable it for future protection.

Use File Manager Apps

File manager apps can help you locate hidden or cached images on your phone that may not appear in your gallery. Here's how to use them to recover deleted photos.

• Download a reliable file manager app from the Google Play Store, such as ES File Explorer or Files by Google.
• Open the app and navigate to the internal storage or SD card where your photos are stored.
• Look for folders labeled DCIM, Pictures, or Downloads.
• Check for hidden or cached files by enabling the show hidden files option.
• Search for photo files with common extensions like .jpg or .png.
• If found, copy the files and move them back to a visible folder in your gallery.

Restore Using PC Software

If mobile recovery apps don't work, using PC software is another option to recover deleted photos from your Android device. Here's how to do it with a computer.

• Download reliable recovery software like Recuva or EaseUS MobiSaver on your computer.
• Connect your Android phone to the PC using a USB cable.
• Enable USB Debugging on your phone by going to Settings > Developer Options.
• Open the recovery software on your PC and select your device.
• Choose the file type (e.g., Photos) you want to recover.
• Let the software scan your phone's storage for deleted photos.
• After the scan, review the list of recoverable images.
• Select the photos you want and click Recover to save them to your PC.

Check for Manufacturer Cloud Solutions

Some phone manufacturers provide cloud storage services, which may have backed up your deleted photos. 

Here's how to check for and restore your photos from these services.

• Open your phone's cloud storage app (e.g., Samsung Cloud, Xiaomi Cloud).
• Sign in using your device's account (e.g., Samsung account, Mi account).
• Navigate to the Photos or Gallery section within the cloud app.
• Search for the deleted photos in the backups or synced folders.
• Select the images you want to restore.
• Tap Download or Restore to save them back to your device.

Use Android Recovery Mode

Android's Recovery Mode offers advanced options to recover your device or troubleshoot issues. 

While recovering deleted photos are not always guaranteed, you can try it as a last resort. Here's how to access and use Android Recovery Mode.

• Turn off your Android phone completely.
• Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons (varies by device) to enter Recovery Mode.
• Once in Recovery Mode, use the Volume buttons to navigate the menu.
• Highlight and select Wipe cache partition (this doesn't delete personal data but may fix issues).
• If photos are still missing, consider selecting Factory reset, but this will delete all data on your phone (use only if you've backed up your data).
• After performing any actions, select Reboot system now to restart your device.

Preventing Future Data Loss

It's essential to set up preventive measures to avoid losing important photos in the future. Here's how you can protect your data and prevent future data loss.

• Enable automatic cloud backups: Use services like Google Photos or Dropbox to back up your photos to the cloud automatically.
• Use external storage: Consider saving pictures to an SD card for extra security.
• Regular manual backups: Periodically transfer your photos to a PC or external hard drive for safekeeping.
• Install reliable file recovery apps: For quick recovery, keep a trusted recovery app, such as DiskDigger, installed on your phone.
• Use phone security features: Activate features like Google's Find My Device to remotely back up or lock your device if lost.

To Wrap Up

Recovering deleted photos from your Android phone is possible with various methods, from checking built-in folders to using third-party recovery tools. 

Taking proactive steps, like enabling cloud and regular manual backups, can help prevent future data loss.

Make sure to back up your photos now to protect your memories!