How to restore the deleted photos

From birthdays to graduations, vacations to ordinary daily moments, photos have become our way of preserving the past. So, when a photo is accidentally deleted, it can feel like losing a piece of our history. Fortunately, just because a photo has been deleted doesn’t always mean it’s lost forever. With the right tools, knowledge, and timing, recovering deleted photos is often possible. 

Recovering Photos from the Recycle Bin or Trash

The first place to check after a deletion is the Recycle Bin on Windows or the Trash on macOS. Most computers temporarily store deleted files in these locations.

On Windows:

Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop.

Look for the deleted photos. You can sort files by date deleted to make the search easier.

Right-click on the desired photo(s) and select Restore. The file will return to its original location.

On macOS:

Open the Trash from the Dock.

Search or browse for your deleted photos.

Right-click the files and choose Put Back to restore them to their original folders.

These steps are the simplest and most effective if the deletion was recent and no permanent deletion (like emptying the bin) has occurred.

Recovering Deleted Photos from Cloud Backups

If you use cloud services such as Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive, or Dropbox, there’s a good chance your photos were synced and backed up before deletion. These services often keep deleted files in a separate “Recently Deleted” folder for a limited time.

Google Photos:

Open Google Photos on your browser or app.

Navigate to the Trash or Bin section.

Select the photo(s) you want to recover.

Tap or click Restore. The photo will be returned to your main library.

iCloud Photos:

Visit iCloud.com and log in.

Click on Photos, then go to the Recently Deleted album.

Select the photo(s) and click Recover.

Dropbox:

Sign in to your Dropbox account online.

Navigate to Deleted files.

Locate the photo(s) and click Restore.

OneDrive:

Log in to your OneDrive account.

Open the Recycle Bin.

Select the photo(s) you wish to recover.

Click Restore.

Cloud backups can save you from disaster, especially if your device was lost or damaged in addition to deletion.

Recovering Photos from Android Devices

Android users have several ways to recover deleted photos, depending on whether the photos were stored internally, on an SD card, or backed up.

Using Google Photos

If Google Photos is enabled, your deleted photos may be in the app’s trash folder for up to 60 days.

Open Google Photos.

Tap on Library, then Trash.

Tap Select and choose the photos you want to restore.

Tap Restore to return the images to your gallery.

File Recovery Apps

If you didn’t use Google Photos or emptied the trash, a data recovery app might help.

Popular Android photo recovery apps include:

DiskDigger Photo Recovery

Dr.Fone – Data Recovery

Tenorshare UltData for Android

Steps with DiskDigger (for example):

Download DiskDigger from the Google Play Store.

Launch the app and grant storage permissions.

Choose a full scan for rooted devices or a basic scan for unrooted ones.

Select the photos to recover and save them to your device or cloud.

Note: Root access may be required for deep recovery, but basic recovery works without root for many recent deletions.

Recovering Photos from iPhones and iPads

Apple provides robust native recovery options through the Photos app and iCloud.

Recently Deleted Album

Photos deleted from an iPhone or iPad go to the Recently Deleted album for 30 days.

Open the Photos app.

Go to Albums > Recently Deleted.

Tap Select, choose the photos, and tap Recover.

iCloud Backup

If your photos are no longer in the Recently Deleted album, and you have iCloud backups, you can restore your iPhone from a previous backup.

To restore from iCloud:

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

After your iPhone restarts, choose Restore from iCloud Backup during setup.

Sign in and select a backup from a date before the deletion occurred.

Note: This process will replace current data with the older backup, so proceed cautiously.

Third-Party iOS Recovery Tools

When native methods fail, specialized tools can dig deeper.

Examples include:

iMobie PhoneRescue

Tenorshare UltData

Dr.Fone for iOS

These tools scan device memory and iTunes/iCloud backups for recoverable files. You can preview and selectively recover photos without restoring the entire backup.

Recovering Deleted Photos from Memory Cards

Photos stored on SD cards in cameras or Android phones can often be retrieved, especially if the card hasn’t been reformatted or overwritten.

Using Photo Recovery Software

Panda Assistant

Accidentally deleted a precious photo? Don’t panic Panda Assistant is here to help you recover your lost memories quickly and efficiently. Whether the photo was erased from your computer, SD card, USB drive, or external hard disk, Panda Assistant’s smart recovery system is designed to locate and restore deleted files, even if they were removed from the recycle bin.

Using advanced scanning algorithms, Panda Assistant digs deep into your storage device to find traces of deleted photos that traditional search methods might miss. With just a few clicks, you can initiate a comprehensive scan that identifies recoverable images, preview them before restoration, and safely recover them without overwriting your existing data.

Panda Assistant supports a wide range of file formats including JPG, PNG, RAW, and more. It’s compatible with both Windows and macOS systems, making it a versatile solution for photographers, everyday users, and professionals alike. Whether you deleted a single image or lost an entire folder, Panda Assistant can help bring your visuals back.

What sets Panda Assistant apart is its user-friendly interface and step-by-step recovery process. You don’t need technical expertise to recover your files just install the software, choose your drive, run a scan, and recover the photos you thought were gone forever.

General steps:

Select the drive corresponding to your SD card.

Start a deep scan.

Preview found images.

Select and recover to a new location (never the same card).

Photo recovery software is surprisingly effective at retrieving deleted images from formatted or corrupted cards, assuming physical damage hasn’t occurred.

Restoring Photos on External Hard Drives or USB Devices

Photos stored on external drives or USB sticks can be deleted or lost due to accidental formatting, corruption, or virus attacks.

Recovery process:

Connect the drive to your computer.

Use software like:

Panda Assistant

Scan the drive for lost files.

Filter results by file type (JPEG, PNG, RAW, etc.).

Select and restore the desired images.

Tip: Avoid using the drive after deletion to prevent overwriting data. Always recover files to a different drive.

Recovering Photos from Backup Drives

If you’ve set up regular backups with Time Machine (Mac) or File History (Windows), restoring lost photos becomes simple.

Windows File History:

Connect your backup drive.

Navigate to the folder where your photos were originally stored.

Click History on the toolbar.

Browse versions and restore the one that includes the lost photos.

Mac Time Machine:

Connect your Time Machine drive.

Open the folder where the deleted photos were stored.

Launch Time Machine.

Browse older versions and click Restore.

Backups remain the most reliable safety net against data loss. If you don’t use one yet, consider implementing a backup strategy immediately.

What to Do If Recovery Fails

Sometimes, despite all attempts, recovery may not be successful due to overwriting, physical damage, or extensive corruption. In these cases, you still have a few options:

Consult a Professional Recovery Service

If the photos are truly irreplaceable, you might want to consider a data recovery specialist. These services use advanced tools in cleanroom environments to extract data from damaged or overwritten storage media.

Examples of well-known services:

DriveSavers

Ontrack

Secure Data Recovery

Costs vary but can be high, especially for severe damage. Some services offer free evaluations.

Preventive Tips for the Future

Avoiding data loss is better than recovering from it. Here are some proactive steps to safeguard your photos:

Enable Cloud Backups: Automatically back up photos with iCloud, Google Photos, or Dropbox.

Use External Backups: Maintain offline copies on external hard drives or USB sticks.

Avoid Deleting in Bulk: Mistakes often happen when cleaning up large numbers of files.

Update Software Regularly: System crashes and bugs can lead to data loss if your OS or apps are outdated.

Handle Storage Devices Carefully: Improper ejection or physical mishandling of drives and cards can lead to corruption.

Invest in Reliable Recovery Tools: Keep trusted recovery software installed for emergencies.

Losing photos can be a distressing experience, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. Whether you’re using a phone, computer, memory card, or cloud service, a variety of solutions exist to help recover deleted images. The key is to act quickly, avoid overwriting data, and choose the method best suited to your situation. As powerful as recovery tools can be, they are no substitute for consistent, thoughtful backup habits. By combining recovery knowledge with proactive prevention, you can protect your photo memories both now and in the future.