Compare the recovery options, from the simplest to the most difficult, and see what to expect from each one.
No tool can work miracles
Before comparing, it's worth knowing the limitations. Recent cell phones use encryption and quickly free up deleted space, so no app can guarantee to bring back a photo or conversation that isn't in the trash or backed up.
What changes from one option to another is where it's being searched. Therefore, the correct order is to start with the simplest ones and only then move on to the recovery tools.
The options, from the simplest to the most difficult
It's the quickest option and it doesn't cost anything. If the photo was deleted a few days ago, it's probably still there, in its original quality.
Limit: the time limit. On Google Photos, it's 60 days for items with backups and 30 days for those without backups. On the manufacturer's gallery, it's usually 30 days.
Photos with active backups remain in Google Photos even if they disappear from the device, unless they have also been deleted from the cloud. In WhatsApp, backups to Google Drive or iCloud restore conversations up to the date they were created.
Limitation: only what was saved before the deletion remains, and restoring WhatsApp requires reinstalling the application.
Applications like DiskDigger scan memory for deleted photos and videos. Without root access, they primarily find thumbnails and cached copies.
Limitation: the result is usually partial, often in low resolution, and does not include the text from WhatsApp conversations.
If the photos were on a microSD card or USB drive, a free Windows program like Recuva can scan the card with a reader. This is usually the most likely scenario outside of the recycle bin and backup.
Limitation: it is not suitable for the internal memory of current cell phones, which the computer does not recognize as a regular hard drive.
For phones that won't turn on or for files containing high value, data recovery labs can attempt what apps can't.
Limitations: high cost and no guarantee. Request a diagnosis and quote before authorizing the service.
Summary: photos and messages
Photos and messages behave differently when it comes to retrieval:
- Photos: the recycle bin and backup restore the original quality; recovery apps retrieve what's left, sometimes just thumbnails.
- Photos on a memory card: program on the computer, with a good chance of recovery if nothing has been overwritten.
- WhatsApp messages: the realistic approach is to back them up. Without it, the text is unlikely to be recovered.
- Photos and videos received on WhatsApp: sometimes they remain in the app's media folder or in Google Photos.
Beware of promises
Be wary of programs that promise to recover any conversation without a backup or that charge before showing a preview of what they found. Reputable programs show the recovered files before asking for payment.
Never give your WhatsApp passwords or verification code to websites or people who claim to recover messages. This is a common scam to steal accounts.
1. Google Photos
Google Play
First place to look: the recycle bin keeps deleted photos for 30 to 60 days, and backups keep copies in the cloud.
In the Collections (or Library) tab, tap Trash and restore what you need.
Download on Google Play
2. DiskDigger
Google Play
It scans your phone's memory and card for deleted photos and videos.
Without root access, the result is usually incomplete. Save what you find elsewhere.
Download on Google Play
3. Dumpster
Google Play
Creates an extra trash bin for photos, videos, and files deleted after installation.
It is more useful for preventing further losses than for recovering what has already been deleted.
Download on Google Play
4. WhatsApp
Google Play
Backing up to Google Drive is the realistic way to recover deleted conversations.
Check the date of the last backup in Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
Download on Google PlayFrequently Asked Questions
What is the safest way to recover?
The recycle bin and backup restore the original file. The other options depend on whether the data is still in memory.
Do free apps work?
For a basic search, yes. Paid versions usually unlock more features, but they don't change the limit imposed by the phone's encryption.
Can I recover deleted messages from Telegram?
Regular Telegram conversations are stored on the service's servers. When you delete a message, it's also removed from there, and there's no way to recover it.
Do these options work on iPhone?
On iPhones, the options are the recently deleted items album, which stores photos for 30 days, and the iCloud backup. Recovery apps have limited access to the system.
What if nothing works?
If there's no trash can, backup, or memory card, the chances are slim. Specialized repair is the last resort, with no guarantee of success.