How to Recover Deleted Photos from Android
Accidentally deleted an important photo from your Android phone? Don’t panic. Whether it’s a treasured family picture or a critical screenshot, there’s a good chance you can recover deleted photos from your Android device—even if they’ve been removed from the gallery.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you the most effective methods to recover lost or deleted photos from Android phones and tablets, using both built-in tools and third-party solutions.
🗑️ First Stop: Check the Trash or Recently Deleted Folder
Most Android phones don’t permanently delete photos right away. Instead, deleted images are usually moved to a Trash or Recently Deleted folder, where they remain for 30 days before being permanently erased.
How to Check:
For Google Photos:
- Open the Google Photos app
- Tap Library > Trash
- Browse and select the photos you want to recover
- Tap Restore (photos return to your Google Photos library and device gallery)
📌 Tip: This works only if you use Google Photos as your default gallery app.
For Samsung Gallery:
- Open the Gallery app
- Tap the three dots > Trash (or Recycle Bin)
- Tap and hold the photo(s) to select
- Tap Restore
📆 Note: Items are only kept for up to 30 days in Trash.
📁 Method 2: Use Google Photos Cloud Backup
If Google Photos backup was enabled before deletion, your photos may still exist in the cloud—even if they’re missing from your phone.
Steps:
- Go to photos.google.com in a browser
- Log in with the Google account linked to your phone
- Search or scroll through your photos
- Download or restore missing photos
💡 Google Photos offers unlimited storage for compressed files and 15GB for original quality on free accounts.
🔍 Method 3: Use File Manager or Explore Device Storage
Sometimes deleted photos remain in hidden folders before being permanently wiped.
Try this:
- Open My Files or any File Manager app
- Navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM > .thumbnails or Pictures
- Check for any recently deleted or hidden images
- Move them back to the DCIM folder or view in gallery
⚠️ Hidden files may require enabling "Show hidden files" in settings.
🧰 Method 4: Use Photo Recovery Apps (No Root Required)
If Trash is empty and no cloud backups are available, you can try Android photo recovery apps.
Popular Apps:
- DiskDigger Photo Recovery
- Dumpster
- Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android)
- Tenorshare UltData for Android
- EaseUS MobiSaver
Steps with DiskDigger (Free):
- Download DiskDigger from Google Play
- Open the app and grant necessary permissions
- Tap Start Basic Photo Scan
- Select images to recover > Tap Recover
🚫 Rooting your phone is not required, but recovery results are better on rooted devices.
🖥️ Method 5: Recover Photos Using a PC (Advanced)
Using desktop recovery software often delivers better results—especially if your phone is rooted.
Recommended Tools:
- iMobie PhoneRescue
- Wondershare Dr.Fone
- FonePaw Android Data Recovery
- Recuva (for SD cards only)
General Steps:
- Install recovery software on your PC
- Connect your Android device via USB
- Enable USB Debugging (Settings > Developer Options)
- Scan your device for lost files
- Preview and recover selected photos
🖼️ These tools work best if the deleted files haven’t been overwritten.
🧠 Pro Tips to Prevent Photo Loss in the Future
- Enable Google Photos backup (Settings > Backup & sync)
- Set up Samsung Cloud or OneDrive backup if you're using a Samsung phone
- Regularly back up photos to Google Drive or an external SD card
- Use a Recycle Bin app (like Dumpster) for added protection
- Avoid installing sketchy cleaning apps that may delete files without notice
❓ FAQs – Recovering Deleted Photos from Android
❔ Are permanently deleted photos gone forever?
If photos are deleted from Trash and not backed up, they may be unrecoverable unless you use recovery software quickly before data is overwritten.
❔ Can I recover photos without root?
Yes. Apps like DiskDigger (basic scan) or cloud solutions do not require root. However, full recovery access may need rooted access.
❔ Does Google Photos keep deleted photos forever?
No. Deleted items stay in Trash for 30 days, after which they are permanently removed.
🔚 Final Thoughts
Losing precious photos can be upsetting—but in many cases, they’re not gone forever. Whether you rely on Google Photos, use built-in trash folders, or turn to professional recovery tools, there are multiple ways to recover deleted photos on Android.
📌 Act fast, avoid overwriting new data, and always keep backups turned on for peace of mind.