How to Recover Deleted Photos from Your Phone or Computer

Recover recently deleted photos from your phone, Google Photos, iCloud, or computer before they are permanently removed.

Steps

1
Open the Photos app
on your phone or computer. Most devices have a "Recently Deleted" folder.
2
Tap "Albums" or "Trash"
to find deleted items. On Android, open the Google Photos app and tap "Trash."
3
Select the photos
you want to bring back. You can pick individual photos or tap "Select All."
4
Tap "Recover" or "Restore"
to move the photos back to your main library. They go to their original albums.
5
Check the Trash folder on your computer
if using Windows or Mac. Right-click the photo and choose "Restore."

Can I recover photos after the 30 day window expires?Show

No, photos are permanently deleted after the holding period and cannot be recovered from the device.

Does emptying the Trash on a computer delete photos forever?Show

Yes, emptying the Trash or Recycle Bin removes the files and makes recovery difficult without special software.

Can I recover photos from a broken phone?Show

Yes, take the phone to a repair shop. They may be able to access the storage card or internal memory.

Will recovering photos restore them to their original folders?Show

Yes, most apps return photos to their original albums or to the main camera roll.

Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated May 18, 2026.