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Did you accidentally delete those photos you treasure so much?
You're not the only one who's been through this. The good news is that recovering deleted photos from your phone is possible, and you don't need to be an expert to do it.
Here I show you the lesser-known but most effective methods to bring back those images.
What Really Happens When You Delete a Photo from Your Phone?
Most people believe that deleting a photo means it's gone forever. However, this isn't entirely true.
When you delete an image, the system marks the space as "available," but the data remains there, invisible to the user.
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This means that if you act quickly, you can recover them before they are overwritten with new information.
Amazing Methods to Recover Deleted Photos
Method 1: Explore your phone's hidden trash
Many users are unaware that their mobile devices have a recycle bin where deleted photos are stored for a period of time:
- Android: Go to Google Photos, select "Library," and then select "Trash." There you'll find photos deleted in the last 30 days.
- iOS: Open the Photos app, scroll to Albums, and select Recently Deleted. Images remain there for 30 days before being permanently deleted.
Not in the trash? Don't worry, there are still options.
Method 2: Use the Power of the Cloud
If you sync your images to the cloud, your photos can be safe, even if you delete them from your device:
- Google Photos: Many times, even if you delete them from your gallery, they're still available in your Google account. Just log in and check your Trash.
- iCloud: If you have an iPhone, sign in to iCloud.com and check Photos. There you can find them under Recently Deleted.
- OneDrive: For Microsoft users, OneDrive stores deleted files in a special folder for 30 days.
Method 3: Advanced Recovery without Applications
Did you know that some Android phones allow you to recover data with a simple trick? Settings → Storage → File ExplorerSome devices keep temporary copies of images before completely deleting them. It's worth checking.
Method 4: Mobile Apps for Photo Recovery
If the above methods didn't work, there are specialized applications to scan your phone's memory for deleted files:
- DigDeep Image Recovery: Perform a complete scan of the mobile's internal and external memory.
- DiskDigger: Popular on Android for recovering deleted images and videos.
- Dr.Fone: Available for Android and iOS, it allows you to restore photos and other files in a matter of minutes.
Tips to Avoid Losing Photos in the Future
- Automatic synchronization: Turn on backup to Google Photos or iCloud so you never lose another image again.
- Copy to multiple locations: Save your most valuable photos to an external drive or USB flash drive.
- Review before deleting: Many times, the problem is a simple typo.
Method 2: Use the Power of the Cloud
One of the advantages of modern technology is the ability to sync our photos to the cloud.
If you've enabled this option on your phone, your images may still be there, even after you delete them from your device.
Google Photos: This service stores all synced photos in the cloud. Even if you delete them from your gallery, they remain in the Trash folder for 30 days. To recover them, simply open the app, go to "Library," then "Trash," select the images, and tap "Restore."
iCloud: On iOS devices, iCloud keeps a copy of your photos in Recently Deleted. The images remain there for 30 days. Just open Photos, go to Albums, and select Recently Deleted. There you'll find the photos ready to be restored.
OneDrive: If you use OneDrive, the Microsoft service also saves a temporary copy of deleted files in the Recycle Bin folder for 30 days. You can access it from the app or the web version to recover them with a simple click.
Dropbox: In Dropbox, deleted photos are kept in "Deleted Files" for 30 days before disappearing permanently. Just log in to your account, review that section, and restore the files you want.
If you've checked these services and still haven't found your images, don't worry: there are other advanced solutions that can help you recover those precious memories.
Method 3: Advanced Recovery without Applications
Few users are aware of this option, but some Android phones allow you to restore photos natively, without the need for additional applications.
In "Settings" → "Storage" → "File Explorer," some models keep a temporary copy of your files before completely deleting them. If you're lucky, you might find your photos there.
On Samsung devices, for example, the My Files app stores cached copies that can be recovered before being overwritten.
It is worth reviewing this section before attempting more complex methods.
Method 4: Mobile Apps for Photo Recovery
If conventional methods don't work, there are specialized apps that can scan your phone's memory for deleted images.
These tools are capable of exploring storage sectors that are not normally accessible to the average user.
Below, I show you the most effective ones:
DigDeep Image Recovery (Android): This free app performs a deep scan of internal memory and SD cards. Its simple interface allows you to view recovered photos before restoring them. Simply open the app, start the scan, and select the images you want to recover.
DiskDigger (Android): Very popular among Android users, DiskDigger allows you to recover not only photos but also videos and documents. It works even without root access, although if the device is rooted, the results are even more comprehensive.

DiskDigger
Dr.Fone (iOS and Android): It's a comprehensive solution for recovering deleted photos, messages, and other files. With an intuitive interface, it allows you to specifically select the type of data you want to restore. It also offers PC versions that increase the recovery success rate.

Dr.Fone Data Recovery
Tenorshare UltData (iOS): For iPhone users, this tool allows you to recover photos even if you don't have an iCloud backup. It's ideal if the file was deleted more than 30 days ago and is no longer in "Recently Deleted."
EaseUS MobiSaver (iOS and Android): This free app scans your device for deleted images and files. It also allows you to create backup copies to prevent future losses.
Tips to Improve Photo Recovery
- Avoid Overwriting Data: Once you notice a missing photo, avoid taking new photos or downloading apps. This reduces the risk of overwriting data still in memory.
- Perform a Full Scan: Some applications allow for a "deep scan." Although it takes longer, it significantly increases the likelihood of file recovery.
- Try Different Apps: Sometimes one app can't find the files, but another can. Don't hesitate to try more than one option.
- Do not format the memory: If your phone asks you to format the SD card, avoid doing so until you attempt recovery. Formatting erases all traces of previous files.
What if the Photos Were Deleted a Long Time Ago?
If weeks or even months have passed, the chances of recovery are reduced, but not eliminated. There are advanced computer recovery tools that can help in these cases:
- Recuva (Windows): Free software to scan hard drives, USB drives, and SD cards for deleted files.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Ideal for in-depth analysis, it allows you to recover photos, videos and documents even after accidental formatting.
- PhotoRec: Free and open source, it specializes in recovering photos from damaged hard drives, memory cards, and SD cards.
Ready to recover those deleted photos from your phone?
Follow these methods and discover that your memories were never gone, they were just waiting to be found.