Without a recycle bin and without backups, an app can scour your phone for leftover photos.
Why it can still work
When a photo is removed from the trash, the system simply frees up the space it occupied.
As long as no new files are written there, part of the image can remain in memory.
Each new photo, download, or update may overwrite this space, so get started soon.
Search with DiskDigger
Follow the steps in order and avoid using your cell phone during the search.
Turn on airplane mode, close other apps, and plug in the charger.
Open DiskDigger, allow access to your files, and tap on the basic photo search.
The images appear as they are found. Ignore the very small ones, which are usually icons.
Send the photos to the cloud or to your computer, never to the same memory card.
What to expect
Without root access, the search primarily finds thumbnails and cached copies, sometimes of lower quality.
With an SD card, the chances are usually higher because it's not encrypted like internal memory.
If nothing appears
Repeat the search with the SD card, if the photos were on it, and check the Google Photos trash again.
If there's still no result, the space has probably already been reused. In that case, it's best to protect yourself for next time.
1. DiskDigger
Google Play
Search for deleted photos in internal memory and on the SD card.
Basic search is free and does not require root access.
Download on Google Play
2. Google Photos
Google Play
Check his trash can before you start searching.
Then, use the backup to save what you recovered.
Download on Google PlayFrequently Asked Questions
How long does the search take?
From a few minutes to more than an hour, depending on memory.
Why was the photo cropped?
Part of the file has already been occupied by other data.
Do I need to root my phone?
It is not recommended. It is risky and could erase data.