How to recover deleted photos after deleting from recently deleted
Have you ever been in a situation where you accidentally deleted photos from your phone or computer and then realized, “Oh no! I really need those back!” It’s a stressful experience that many of us can relate to, especially when you’ve deleted photos from the “Recently Deleted” folder. But don’t worry! I’m here to help you out. Let’s explore how to recover deleted photos after deleting them from recently deleted folders.
In this article, we’ll dive into practical methods, tools, and even some tricks that helped me recover photos I thought were gone forever. You don’t have to be a tech genius to get your photos back—sometimes, it’s just a matter of knowing where to look and what steps to follow. Trust me, I’ve been there. Let’s get started.
What Happens When You Delete Photos from Recently Deleted Folder?
Before we jump into the recovery methods, let’s first talk about what happens when you delete a photo from the “Recently Deleted” folder.
When you delete photos from the “Recently Deleted” folder, it might seem like the photos are gone forever. However, in reality, the data isn’t completely erased immediately. Your device or cloud storage will mark the space that the photos took up as available for new data. This means that the photos are still there, just waiting for you to recover them if you act quickly enough. This is good news for you!
When I accidentally deleted a bunch of vacation pictures from the “Recently Deleted” folder, I panicked. However, knowing how recovery works helped me stay calm and find solutions that actually worked for me. Keep reading, and I’ll show you what I did.
Can You Recover Deleted Photos After Deleting Them from Recently Deleted?
Yes, you can! It’s not the end of the road if you’ve emptied the “Recently Deleted” folder. I know it feels like a nightmare, but there are several ways you can still recover those precious memories.
Let me share a personal story. A few months ago, I accidentally emptied my “Recently Deleted” folder after mistakenly thinking I had backed up all my photos to the cloud. Turns out, I didn’t have the backup I thought I had. I was devastated. But then I started doing a bit of research and found out that there are more options than I had thought. With some patience and the right steps, I was able to recover most of the photos I thought I lost forever.
Check Your Cloud Backups for Deleted Photos
One of the first places I recommend checking when recovering deleted photos is your cloud storage. Both iOS and Android devices back up your data to the cloud if you have enabled this feature. Whether it’s iCloud, Google Photos, or any other cloud storage service, your deleted photos may still be stored there.
iCloud for iPhone Users
If you’re an iPhone user like I am, and you’ve deleted photos from the “Recently Deleted” folder, your best bet is iCloud. Photos that are synced with iCloud are not immediately erased from the cloud once you delete them from your device. They stay in the cloud for a while, which means you can go into iCloud Photos and recover them if you’re fast enough.
Google Photos for Android Users
For Android users, Google Photos is a great service for storing photos. It offers an easy way to recover photos even if you’ve deleted them from your phone. If your Google Photos sync is turned on, you may still be able to retrieve them by simply signing into your account and checking the trash folder.
Use a Photo Recovery App to Recover Deleted Photos
When iCloud or Google Photos don’t have what you’re looking for, a third-party photo recovery app can come to your rescue. These apps can scan your phone or computer’s internal memory for deleted files that haven’t yet been overwritten.
Best Photo Recovery Apps to Try
Here are a few apps I found useful in my experience:
- DiskDigger (for Android): This app scans your device for deleted photos and lets you recover them directly.
- PhotoRec (for Windows/Mac): A powerful and free tool that helped me recover deleted photos from my computer’s hard drive.
- EaseUS MobiSaver (for iPhone/Android): This app can recover lost photos, videos, and contacts, and it saved me during a moment of panic when I deleted important family pictures.
Check Your Device’s Local Storage
It might sound old-school, but checking your device’s local storage could help you find some deleted photos. I once thought all was lost, only to realize I had a local storage backup on my computer that stored copies of the photos I had deleted.
How to Do It
- For iPhones, go into your “Files” app and check the “Recently Deleted” folder. Sometimes the file system might have a temporary cache where deleted files are stored before being fully erased.
- For Android, check the file manager and look through the “Internal Storage” folder or the “SD card” folder (if you have one).
How to Use Data Recovery Software for Deleting Photos from Recently Deleted Folder
If none of the above methods work, data recovery software is your last hope. This is a method I used when I was in a real bind. These programs scan your phone or computer for lost or deleted files and attempt to recover them. The best part? These tools often work even if the files have been erased from the “Recently Deleted” folder.
Data Recovery Software to Try
Here are a few programs I used that helped me recover deleted photos:
- Dr.Fone: This software worked wonders for my iPhone. It allowed me to scan my phone and restore lost files directly.
- Recuva: A free recovery tool for Windows that found deleted photos on my computer, even from the empty trash folder.
Prevent Future Photo Deletions with Regular Backups
While it’s great to recover lost photos, it’s even better to prevent such situations in the first place. After I went through the stress of losing photos, I learned the importance of regular backups. Whether it’s iCloud, Google Photos, or external hard drives, ensure that your photos are always backed up.
My Backup Strategy
I now make sure to:
- Back up my photos to both Google Photos and iCloud.
- Regularly transfer important photos to an external hard drive.
- Set up automatic backups for photos on both my phone and computer.
Other Methods to Try: Professional Help or File System Restoration
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t recover your deleted photos, it might be time to consult a professional. I went down this road once when the DIY methods didn’t work. Professionals can access deeper parts of your device’s storage and might be able to help.
How to Find a Good Data Recovery Service
- Search online for reputable data recovery specialists.
- Check reviews to see if other people have had success with them.
- Make sure they offer a free consultation so you can decide whether the cost is worth it.
Final Thoughts: Act Quickly and Stay Calm
Recovering deleted photos after deleting them from the “Recently Deleted” folder is possible, but you need to act quickly. The sooner you try these recovery methods, the better your chances of success. I know it feels like a disaster when you realize you’ve lost something important, but there are ways to recover those memories.
Remember, the key is not to panic. Instead, focus on the tools and options available to you, and don’t hesitate to use professional services if necessary. With the right steps, I can assure you, those deleted photos may just come back to you!