How to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos on Your Android or iPhone

Losing precious photos and videos from your smartphone can be a stressful experience. Whether it's an accidental deletion or a phone malfunction, recovering those lost memories is a priority. Thankfully, various methods exist for both Android and iPhone users to attempt recovery, increasing the chances of getting those files back. Here's a breakdown of some effective solutions for recovering deleted photos and videos.

Recovering Deleted Photos and Videos on Android and iPhone

The good news is that your phone likely holds onto deleted photos and videos for a period, offering a window to restore them. Most operating systems and apps automatically store recently deleted files in a designated folder, like a digital recycle bin. This timeframe varies depending on the app or service you use, with most offering a grace period of 30 to 60 days. Beyond that timeframe, chances of recovery decrease significantly.

Google Photos: A Cloud-Based Solution

If you rely on Google Photos for storing your digital memories, you can easily recover deleted photos and videos. Google Photos keeps recently deleted files in a dedicated "Trash" folder for a period of 60 days. To restore them, simply open the Library tab in Google Photos, locate the Trash folder, select the desired photo or video, and choose the "Restore" option. This process is seamless for both Android and iPhone users.

Files by Google: Local Storage Recovery

Google's Files by Google app also provides a means to recover recently deleted photos and videos. This app stores recently deleted files for 30 days. To recover them, open Files by Google, click on the three-line icon in the top left corner, select "Trash," choose the desired photo, and click "Restore." This method focuses on recovering files stored locally on your device.

iCloud: Backup and Recovery for iPhone Users

For iPhone users who back up their photos and videos to iCloud, recovering deleted files is a straightforward process. iCloud keeps recently deleted photos in a "Recently Deleted" album for 30 days. To restore them, open Photos in iCloud, locate the "Recently Deleted" album, choose the photo you want to restore, and click "Restore." This method relies on your iCloud backup, ensuring that you have a copy of your data.

Gallery (Android): The Built-in Recovery Option

Android phones typically come with a built-in Gallery or Photos app, which provides a "Recently Deleted" folder. This folder automatically saves deleted photos for 30 days, making recovery possible. To restore deleted photos, open Gallery/Photos on your Android phone, click on the "Recently Deleted" folder, select the photo you want to restore, and click "Restore." This option is a convenient and readily available recovery method.

Third-Party Apps: Additional Recovery Options

For more advanced recovery options, third-party apps like DigDeep are available on Android. These apps scan your device for deleted files, potentially retrieving files that have been permanently deleted from other folders. To use DigDeep, download and install the app, open it, and wait while the app scans your data. Select the image you want to recover and the app will attempt to restore it. Remember that the effectiveness of third-party apps varies depending on the app and the specific circumstances of the deleted files.

Important Considerations for Recovery

It's essential to understand that these recovery methods are not foolproof. They are most effective for recently deleted files, with the likelihood of recovery decreasing as time passes. If a deleted photo or video has been deleted for a prolonged period, it might be permanently lost. Additionally, data recovery is a complex process, and there are no guarantees of success. However, the methods outlined above offer a reasonable chance of retrieving your lost photos and videos.