How to recover deleted photos on Android

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To recover deleted photos on Android, users can utilize built-in features like Google Photos, third-party recovery apps, or connect their device to a computer for recovery. Each method varies in effectiveness based on the time elapsed since deletion and whether the data has been overwritten.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before attempting to recover deleted photos, ensure you meet the following requirements:
  • •An Android device with sufficient battery life (at least 50%)
  • •Internet connection for cloud recovery options
  • •Access to Google Photos or other backup services
  • •USB cable for connecting to a computer (if using recovery software)
  • •Sufficient storage space on the device or external storage for recovered files

Method 1: Recovering Photos from Google Photos

This method is effective if you have Google Photos installed and have enabled backup and sync. It is the easiest and most reliable way to recover deleted photos.
  • •Step 1: Open the Google Photos app on your Android device.
  • •Step 2: Tap on 'Trash' or 'Bin' from the menu on the left side (three horizontal lines in the top left corner).
  • •Step 3: Browse through the deleted photos; select the ones you wish to recover.
  • •Step 4: Tap on 'Restore' at the bottom of the screen. The photos will be restored to your main library.
  • •Step 5: Verify recovery by checking your main photo library.

For Android 11 and above

In Android 11 and later, the Google Photos interface may have slight changes.
  • •Step 1: Open Google Photos and tap on 'Photos' at the bottom.
  • •Step 2: Tap on 'Library' and then 'Trash'.
  • •Step 3: Follow the same recovery steps as above.

For Android 10 and below

Older versions may have a slightly different layout.
  • •Step 1: Open Google Photos and tap on 'Menu'.
  • •Step 2: Select 'Trash' and follow the recovery steps.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Recovery Apps

If photos are not found in Google Photos, third-party apps can be used to recover deleted files. This method is useful when the photos were deleted from the device storage directly.
  • •Step 1: Download a reputable recovery app such as DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver from the Google Play Store.
  • •Step 2: Open the app and grant necessary permissions (storage access).
  • •Step 3: Select the type of files you want to recover (e.g., photos).
  • •Step 4: Start the scan; this may take some time depending on the amount of data.
  • •Step 5: Once the scan is complete, browse the recoverable files and select the photos you wish to restore.
  • •Step 6: Tap on 'Recover' and choose a location to save the recovered files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems during the recovery process, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'No photos found' - Solution: Ensure you are checking the correct Trash/Bin and that the photos were deleted within the last 30 days.
  • •Issue: Recovery app crashes - Fix: Restart your device and ensure the app is updated to the latest version.
  • •Problem: Photos not appearing after recovery - Workaround: Check the app permissions or try a different recovery app.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

Enhance your recovery process with these advanced techniques:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: N/A - Android does not support keyboard shortcuts for recovery.
  • •Command line: N/A - Recovery on Android typically does not involve command line usage.
  • •Hidden feature: Enable 'Backup & Sync' in Google Photos settings to automatically back up photos in the future.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

Regular backups using cloud services like Google Photos or Dropbox can save you from permanent data loss.