We've gathered some methods in this article to help you recover your deleted media!
Recover your Google Photos files hassle-free
Recover your Google Photos files hassle-freeDeleting a photo by accident hurts, but it can be fixed. If Google Photos backup is turned on, the service keeps everything in trash for 60 days – enough time to undo the mistake.
In this guide, you'll learn step-by-step how to restore images on your phone or computer, discover why photos sometimes disappear from trash, and check out extra tools that can save the day when the official method doesn't work!
Methods to recover deleted photos from Google Photos
The procedure is simple and works on any platform. You just need an internet connection and a Google account.
On your phone
- Check that Google Photos is up to date on Android or iOS.
- Open the app and tap Library.
- Go to the Trash folder.
- Press the photo or video you want to restore (you can select multiple files).
- Tap Restore. Done! The media goes back to the original album and reappears in Photos.
Quick tip: restored items keep their original date and time. If you don't see the file at the top of the gallery, scroll to the date it was taken.
On your PC
- Go to photos.google.com and log in.
- Click the three-line menu (top left corner) and choose Trash.
- Hover over the item you want and check the selection circle.
- Use Restore in the top right corner. Files immediately go back to the original album.
What if the photo isn't in trash?
- Backup disabled: without backup, Google Photos won't send the file to trash. Turn it on in Settings > Backup and sync to prevent future losses.
- File archived: open Library > Archive and check if the image was moved there.
- App albums: photos from WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook are in separate folders within the Library tab. It's worth checking each one.
- Wrong date: timezone changes can hide the file elsewhere in your timeline. Use the search bar with keywords or approximate dates.
Useful apps to recover deleted photos from Google Photos
When deletion is permanent, third-party solutions can track fragments still present in your device's memory.
DiskDigger:
Scans internal storage and SD card for thumbnails and complete files. Works without root, but deep scanning requires extra permissions.
Deleted Photo Recovery:
Besides images, it finds videos, audio, and documents. The interface is in English, but the buttons are clear and the process takes just a few minutes.
Recover Deleted Photos:
Over 10 million downloads on Play Store. The app runs an algorithm that maps "empty" disk sectors and tries to rebuild data not yet overwritten.
✅ Truth time
Heads up: the more time passes after deletion, the lower your chances of success.
Avoid installing new apps or taking many photos before attempting recovery.
With these steps, your memories have a great chance of coming back to your gallery.
Keep automatic backup turned on and, whenever possible, make an extra copy in another cloud service or external hard drive – caution is never too much when it comes to digital memories.