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Have you lost your most precious memories? Don't panic: there are practical solutions and powerful tools that can help you restore your deleted photos in minutes.
When memories disappear…
Imagine opening your phone's gallery and realizing that all those photos from an unforgettable trip, a family party, or even everyday moments have disappeared. Has something similar happened to you? You're not alone. Millions of people face image loss every day, whether due to human error, technical failures, or device formatting.
But here comes the good news: recovering deleted photos is possible, and in this article we'll show you step by step how to do it. What's more, we'll introduce you to a tool that has already helped thousands of people around the world to restore their memories. Want to know what it is? Keep reading.
Why do photos get lost?
Before discussing solutions, it is essential to understand the most common causes of image loss:
- Accidental deletion
You hit the wrong button and… goodbye, photos! - Formatting the device
Whether on a hard drive, USB stick or SD card. - System or software failure
Operating system errors that delete entire folders. - Malware or virus attacks
Some viruses delete files or hide them. - Factory reset your phone
When you reset settings, everything is erased, including images.
Do you identify with any of these scenarios?
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Where do photos go when you delete them?
Here's what most people don't know: When you delete a photo, it doesn't disappear immediately.
What actually happens is that the space occupied by that image is marked as "available" for new data. As long as it isn't overwritten by another file, the photo is still there, hidden but recoverable. Therefore, acting quickly is key.
First Golden Rule!
Stop using the device immediately!
Each new photo, app, or file can overwrite old data. If you want to recover your images, the less you use your phone or memory card, the better.
Recommended Tools for Photo Recovery
Here's what everyone wants to know: What tool to use to recover deleted photos?
"Here's an app that can help."
APP
Dr.fone
1. DiskDigger (Android)
Ideal for those looking to recover images from their cell phone. No root required (although advanced mode does offer more benefits).
- Pros: Easy to use, free in basic mode.
- Cons: Unattractive interface.
👉 Tip: Ideal for recovering recently deleted photos.
2. Recuva (Windows)
A classic among recovery programs. Very useful if you lost photos from an SD card or flash drive connected to your computer.
- Pros: Intuitive, fast, free.
- Cons: Not compatible with Mac.
👉 Tip: Run a deep scan for best results.
3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows and Mac)
A professional tool, ideal for more complex cases.
- Pros: Very effective, modern interface.
- Cons: The free version has a recovery limit.
👉 Tip: Use it if you have formatted a disk or deleted many images at once.
4. PhotoRec (Windows, Mac and Linux)
For advanced users. Although its interface is less user-friendly (it runs in the terminal), it is extremely powerful.
- Pros: Recovers hundreds of formats.
- Cons: It is not visual or suitable for beginners.
How to Use the Tool Step by Step
We are going to show you the process using as an example Recuva, one of the most downloaded and effective tools.
Step 1: Download and install Recuva
Go to the official site of Piriform Recuva and download the program. Install it on your computer.
Important: Do not install it on the same disk where the lost photos were.
Step 2: Select the file type
When you open Recuva, it will ask you what type of file you want to recover. Choose “Images”.
Step 3: Choose the location where the photos were
Select the exact location where the photos were stored: a folder, an SD card, an external drive, etc.
Step 4: Deep Scan (optional but recommended)
Activate the “deep scan” option to improve results, especially if the images were deleted a long time ago.
Step 5: Examine the results
You'll see a list of recoverable photos. Recuva marks them in green (recoverable), yellow, or red (corrupted).
Step 6: Recover and save to another device
Select the images and click “Recover.” Save the files to a different location to prevent overwriting.
What if you can't use a tool?
Don't worry. Here are some other simple strategies:
Check your trash or recently deleted album
On most Android and iOS phones, deleted photos go to a temporary folder (Trash or “Deleted”).
- On iPhone: Photos app > Albums > Deleted.
- On Android: Google Photos > Trash.
Check your cloud (Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive)
Did you have automatic backup enabled? Then it's very likely the photos are still there.
👉 Go to your activity history and check if there was a sync before the deletion.
Tips to prevent future losses
Although recovering photos is possible, prevention is always the best strategy.
Here are some tips that can save your memories in the future:
✅ Activate automatic cloud backup
- Use Google Photos, iCloud, Amazon Photos or Dropbox.
- Set up automatic backup when connected to Wi-Fi.
✅ Make a physical backup
Save your important photos to an external drive or flash drive as well.
✅ Use reliable memory cards
Avoid generic brands and buy quality cards to prevent data corruption.
✅ Don't ignore error signals
If your phone starts to malfunction, save your photos as soon as possible. It could be a sign that something is wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I recover photos deleted months ago?
If possible, but it depends on whether the space was overwritten. Use deep scans to try to locate them.
❓ What happens if I format the SD card?
Many tools like PhotoRec or EaseUS can recover photos even after formatting.
❓ Do free tools work well?
Yes, especially if the photos were recently deleted. However, in more critical cases, the paid versions often offer better results.
Conclusion: Don't lose hope
Losing photos can be painful, but it doesn't have to be permanent. Today, thanks to increasingly accessible tools, Hundreds of thousands of people have managed to recover their most valuable memories —and you can do it too.
Did you realize that acting quickly is essential? Have you tried any of the tools we mentioned? Tell us about your experience.
📲 Share this article with someone who needs to recover their photos.
🛠️ Have you tried any of these tools? Which one worked best for you? Let us know in the comments.
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