Photo Recovery: How to Recover Deleted Photos from Android, iPhone, and PC (Ultimate Guide)
In today’s digital world, we store thousands of precious memories in the form of photos on our smartphones and computers. But what happens when these memories are accidentally deleted? Losing photos can be heartbreaking—but don’t worry! Photo recovery is possible, and in this article, you’ll learn how to recover deleted photos from Android, iPhone, and PC easily, along with the best photo recovery apps and tools you can use in 2024.
What is Photo Recovery?
Photo recovery refers to the process of retrieving deleted, lost, or formatted pictures from digital storage devices like smartphones, SD cards, USB drives, or computer hard drives. Whether the photos were accidentally deleted, lost due to system errors, corrupted storage, or a factory reset, recovery tools can often help bring them back.
How to Recover Deleted Photos on Android
There are several ways to recover photos on Android—depending on whether your device is rooted and if you had a backup enabled.
1. Recover from Google Photos Trash
If your deleted photo was synced to Google Photos:
- Open Google Photos
- Tap on Library > Trash
- Select the deleted photos
- Tap Restore
Google Photos keeps deleted files in the Trash for 30 days.
2. Use a Photo Recovery App for Android
If the image isn’t in the trash, use a powerful recovery app like:
- DiskDigger Photo Recovery
- Dumpster
- Photo Recovery App by Tasty Blueberry PI
Steps to use DiskDigger:
- Download DiskDigger from the Play Store
- Allow permissions and scan internal storage
- Preview the deleted photos
- Tap Recover to save them again
For deep scanning, root access is often required.
How to Recover Deleted Photos on iPhone (iOS)
Apple users can also recover photos if they act quickly.
1. Check the Recently Deleted Folder
- Open the Photos app
- Go to Albums > Recently Deleted
- Select the images and tap Recover
Photos stay in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days.
2. Restore from iCloud Backup
If the photo is not in the recently deleted album:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings
- Restore from your iCloud backup that contains the photo
3. Use a Professional iPhone Data Recovery Tool
If you don’t have a backup, use tools like:
- iMobie PhoneRescue
- Dr.Fone – Data Recovery
- Tenorshare UltData
These apps scan your device for recoverable files and help bring lost photos back.
How to Recover Deleted Photos on PC (Windows/Mac)
Accidentally deleted important photos from your computer? Don’t worry—recovery is often possible.
1. Check Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac)
- Open the Recycle Bin
- Look for the deleted photo
- Right-click and choose Restore
2. Restore from Backup
If you’ve enabled File History (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac), you can restore deleted images from there.
3. Use Photo Recovery Software
For permanently deleted photos:
- Recuva (Windows)
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- PhotoRec (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Stellar Photo Recovery
Steps using Recuva:
- Download and install Recuva
- Choose file type: Pictures
- Select the drive to scan
- Recover your lost photos with one click
Pro Tips to Increase Photo Recovery Success
- Stop using the device after deletion to avoid overwriting data
- Don’t install recovery apps on the same drive where photos were lost
- Use cloud backup services like Google Photos or iCloud
- Backup your photos regularly to external hard drives or USB
Best Free Photo Recovery Apps (2024 Updated)
| App Name | Platform | Free Version? | Root Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DiskDigger | Android | Yes (limited) | No (basic), Yes (deep) |
| Dumpster | Android | Yes | No |
| Recuva | Windows | Yes | No |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows/Mac | Yes (2GB free) | No |
| iMobie PhoneRescue | iOS | Trial available | No |
| Dr.Fone Data Recovery | Android/iOS | Yes (limited) | No |
Is Photo Recovery Safe?
Yes, photo recovery apps are generally safe if you download them from trusted sources like the Play Store, App Store, or official websites. Avoid unknown APKs or shady software that might contain malware.
Conclusion
Whether you accidentally deleted a memorable photo from your phone or lost images after a system crash, photo recovery tools offer a powerful way to get them back. The sooner you act, the higher your chances of full recovery. With the right tools and techniques, you can restore your lost photos from Android, iPhone, and PC in just a few steps
