Accidentally deleting photos from your smartphone can feel like a nightmare — whether it’s a memorable vacation, family event, or important work image. The good news is that iPhone and Android devices offer several ways to recover deleted photos, often within minutes. Even if you cleared your trash folder, there are still recovery methods that can help you get your memories back.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to recover deleted photos on both iPhone and Android, including built-in methods, cloud backups, file recovery apps, and advanced solutions.

How to Recover Deleted Photos on iPhone

Apple makes recovery easy thanks to built-in tools and iCloud backup options.

1. Check the Recently Deleted Album (Easiest Method)

When you delete a photo on iPhone, it moves to Recently Deleted, where it stays for 30 days.

Steps:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Go to Albums.
3. Scroll down and tap Recently Deleted.
4. Select the photos you want back.
5. Tap Recover → Recover Photos.

This works even if you deleted multiple images at once.

2. Recover Photos Using iCloud Photos

If you use iCloud Photos, your images may still be in your cloud library — even if they’re gone from the phone.

Check on the Web:

1. Visit iCloud.com in a browser.
2. Log in with your Apple ID.
3. Open Photos.
4. Check the Recently Deleted folder here too.
5. Restore the desired images.

3. Restore from an iCloud Backup

If the photos are not in Recently Deleted, you may be able to recover them through a past iCloud backup.

⚠ Note: This restores your entire phone to an earlier date.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Set up your iPhone again.
4. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
5. Select a backup that was made before the photos were deleted.

4. Restore from iTunes/Finder Backup (Mac or PC)

If you previously backed up your phone to a computer:

1. Connect iPhone to your computer.
2. Open Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows).
3. Select your device.
4. Click Restore Backup.

Choose the backup containing your lost photos.

5. Use Third-Party Recovery Tools (Advanced)

If the photos were permanently deleted, recovery software might help:

• Dr.Fone Data Recovery
• Tenorshare UltData
• iMobie PhoneRescue

These tools can often find deleted photos still stored in the device memory.

How to Recover Deleted Photos on Android

Android phones offer flexible recovery options using built-in tools, Google Photos, manufacturer apps, and recovery software.

1. Check the Trash/Recycle Bin in the Gallery App

Most modern Android devices (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Pixel) have a trash folder.

Steps:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Tap Albums or Menu.
3. Look for Trash / Bin / Recently Deleted.
4. Select the photos.
5. Tap Restore.

Photos stay here for 30–60 days, depending on the brand.

2. Recover Photos Using Google Photos (Most Common Method)

If you use Google Photos, recovery is even easier.

Steps:

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Tap Library.
3. Open Trash.
4. Select photos → Tap Restore.

They will return to your main library and albums.

Good news: Google Photos Trash stores photos for 60 days.

3. Restore from Google Drive Backup

If your photos were backed up manually:

1. Open the Google Drive app.
2. Search for image names or file types (.jpg, .png).
3. Download the photos back to your phone.

4. Manufacturer Cloud Recovery

Some Android brands offer cloud photo backups:

Samsung Cloud

• Settings → Samsung Account → Samsung Cloud → Gallery Sync

Xiaomi Mi Cloud

• Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery

Oppo/Realme Cloud

• Cloud services → Photos

Check if your images were synced before deletion.

5. Use Photo Recovery Apps (For Permanently Deleted Files)

These apps scan internal storage for deleted photo fragments:

• DiskDigger Photo Recovery
• Dr.Fone Android Recovery
• Tenorshare UltData for Android
• EaseUS MobiSaver

Notes:

• Rooting your phone increases recovery success but is optional.
• Do not save new files after deletion — this overwrites data and reduces recovery chances.

6. Recover Photos from SD Card (Android Only)

If your device uses an SD card:

1. Remove the SD card.
2. Insert into a card reader.
3. Scan it using PC software like:
   • Recuva
   • EaseUS
   • Stellar Photo Recovery

SD card recovery often has a higher success rate because files are stored externally.

Expert Tips to Increase Recovery Success

• Act fast: The longer you wait, the harder recovery becomes.
• Avoid installing new apps after deletion.
• Stop taking new photos — this overwrites memory sectors.
• Enable automatic cloud backups to prevent future losses.
• Use trusted tools and avoid unknown recovery apps.

Prevent Losing Photos in the Future

Enable Backup Features:

iPhone

• iCloud Photos
• Google Photos
• OneDrive

Android

• Google Photos Backup
• Samsung Cloud
• Dropbox / OneDrive

Use External Storage

• USB drives
• SD Cards
• Cloud drives

Final Thoughts

Recovering deleted photos on iPhone or Android is absolutely possible — in many cases, even after permanent deletion. Start with the built-in recovery tools (Recently Deleted, Google Photos Trash), then move to cloud backups or recovery apps if needed.

With the right steps, you can restore important memories in minutes.

Whether you’re on iOS or Android, follow this guide and you’ll have the best possible chance of getting your lost photos back.