How to Recover Deleted Photos
from Android
Accidentally deleted photos are almost always recoverable — if you act quickly and check the right places in the right order.
Last updated: June 2026 · 7 min read
Stop using the phone immediately
Every photo you take or file you download after deletion can overwrite the space where your photo was stored. The sooner you stop using the phone, the higher the chance of recovery.
Step 1: Check Google Photos Trash (Works 95% of the Time)
If you had Google Photos installed and sync enabled, deleted photos go to a Trash folder for 60 days before permanent deletion.
Open Google Photos
Most Android phones have this pre-installed. If not, download it from Play Store.
Tap the Library tab at the bottom
Then tap "Trash" (or "Bin" on some versions).
Find your photos
They stay here for 60 days from deletion. Long-press to select them.
Tap Restore
The photos go back to your Gallery and Google Photos library.
If you don't see the photos in Trash, either sync was off, or the 60 days have passed. Move to Step 2.
Step 2: Check Your Gallery's Own Trash or Recently Deleted
Most Android manufacturers add their own trash folder in the built-in Gallery app, separate from Google Photos.
Samsung (My Files / Gallery)
Gallery → ☰ Menu → Trash. Keeps photos for 30 days.
Xiaomi / Redmi (MIUI Gallery)
Gallery → Albums → Recently Deleted. Keeps for 30 days.
Motorola
Google Photos trash (Moto doesn't have its own gallery trash).
Realme / OPPO (ColorOS)
Gallery → ☰ → Recently Deleted. 30-day retention.
Vivo
Gallery → ☰ → Recycle Bin. 30-day retention.
Step 3: Check WhatsApp if the Photo Was Shared There
WhatsApp saves received photos to the phone automatically unless you've changed this setting. Even if you deleted the photo from Gallery, it may still exist in the WhatsApp folder.
Check Files app → WhatsApp → Media → WhatsApp Images
This folder survives independent of the Gallery. Received photos from all chats are saved here by default.
Check Google Drive for WhatsApp backups
If you have WhatsApp cloud backup enabled (Settings → Chats → Chat Backup), your photos may be in the backup. Restoring the backup gets everything back.
Step 4: Check Google Drive and Other Cloud Backups
If you use Google One automatic backup or manually backed up to Drive, your photos may be there even if they were deleted from your phone.
- Open Google Drive → search by file name or scroll through recent uploads
- Check Google One app if you have a paid subscription — it may have device backups
- If you use Amazon Photos, Dropbox, or OneDrive, check those apps too
Step 5: Third-Party Recovery Apps (Last Resort)
If none of the above work, third-party file recovery tools can sometimes find deleted photos in unallocated storage space — but this requires either a PC connection or root access, and success is not guaranteed.
DiskDigger (Android)
Free app on Play Store. Works without root for basic recovery, with root for deep scan. Good first option to try.
PhotoRec + TestDisk (PC)
Connect your phone via USB in file transfer mode, run PhotoRec on your PC. Free and open-source. Works on Windows, Mac, Linux.
Professional data recovery service
Local repair shops in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai offer data recovery for ₹1,000–₹5,000 depending on complexity.
How to Prevent This from Happening Again
Turn on Google Photos backup
Open Google Photos → Profile → Photos settings → Backup. Set it to Back up over Wi-Fi. Your photos sync automatically and stay in Trash for 60 days after deletion.
Enable WhatsApp cloud backup weekly
WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → Back Up. This saves your photos, videos, and messages to Google Drive.
Do not delete from both places at once
Deleting from Gallery AND from WhatsApp in the same action removes both copies. Delete from only one place if you're unsure.