Photos accidentally deleted: what to do now
Based on your answers, see which method is most likely to get your photos back.
Why does time matter so much?
When you delete a photo on Android, you usually have two options. The first is the Google Photos trash, which holds the item for 60 days when it was backed up and for about 30 days when it was only on the device.
Once this period has passed, the photo is removed from the trash, but the file may remain in memory until it is overwritten by new data. This second chance diminishes with each photo taken, application updated, or file downloaded.
Until the attempt is complete, leave your phone idle: no new photos, no downloads, and no installing anything other than the app you intend to use.
Which path to follow in your case?
Find the situation you marked in the quiz below and start with that one.
Deleted today or this week
The photo is most likely still in the trash. Open Google Photos or the manufacturer's gallery and restore it from there, without installing anything.
Deleted this month
It's still worth checking the recycle bin, but the deadline may be approaching, especially for photos without backups. Do it today and see how many days are left for each item.
It's been gone for a while now
The recycle bin has probably already been emptied. All that's left is to use an application that scans the memory for remnants of the images. Some reappear complete, others only as thumbnails, and in some cases nothing appears at all.
The photos were on the memory card
Stop using the card and search with a recovery app, saving what you find elsewhere. Cards usually give better results than internal memory.
The photos came via WhatsApp
Open the WhatsApp media folder in a file manager and reopen the conversation. The image may still be saved there, or you may be able to download it again from within the conversation itself.
Also look in these places
Sometimes the photo wasn't deleted, it just disappeared from the main screen. The Google Photos Archive folder hides images that were archived by mistake.
If you use more than one Google account on your phone, each one has its own trash bin. Switch accounts and check the other one before resorting to more time-consuming methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which method should I try first?
The trash can. It's fast, requires no installation, and returns the photo in its original quality.
Do I need a computer?
No. All the paths here work on your phone.
Why do some photos come back blurry?
When part of the file has already been replaced with new data, the app can only assemble a smaller or incomplete version.
Are the apps paid?
They are all free to use. Some offer extra paid features, which are not necessary to get started.
Does it work for videos?
The process is the same. Because the videos are large files, they are returned incomplete more often.
Download the apps
Tap the app you want to install. The button opens its official page on Google Play.
