How to Recover Deleted Photos on Android Phone Or Tablet

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Losing precious photos from your Android phone or tablet can be heartbreaking. Whether you accidentally deleted them, formatted your device, or lost them due to a software crash, there are ways to get them back!

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In this easy-to-follow guide, we’ll explain how to recover deleted photos on Android using different methods. Even a small kid can understand these steps—so don’t worry!

Can Deleted Photos Be Recovered on Android?

Yes! When you delete a photo, it doesn’t disappear immediately. Instead, Android marks the space as “available” for new data. Until new files overwrite that space, you can still recover your photos.

Important:

Stop using your phone immediately to prevent overwriting deleted photos.
The sooner you try to recover, the better your chances.

Method 1: Check Google Photos or Gallery Trash (Easiest Way!)

Before trying advanced methods, check if your deleted photos are in the Trash or Bin folder.

Steps to Recover from Google Photos Trash:

Open Google Photos on your Android phone.
Tap Library at the bottom.
Select Trash (or Bin).
Find your deleted photos and tap Restore.

📌 Note:

Google Photos keeps deleted files for 30 days before permanent deletion.
If you backed up photos to Google Photos, they may still be in your cloud storage.

Steps to Recover from Gallery Trash (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.):

Some Android phones have a Recycle Bin in their Gallery app:

Open the Gallery app.
Look for Trash, Recycle Bin, or Recently Deleted.
Select photos and tap Restore.

📌 Note:

Different brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, etc.) have different trash storage periods (usually 15-30 days).

Method 2: Recover from a Backup (Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, etc.)

If you had auto-backup enabled, your photos might still be safe in cloud storage.

A. Restore from Google Drive Backup

Open Google Drive on your phone or computer.
Go to Backups.
Check if your photos are saved there.

B. Restore from Samsung Cloud (For Samsung Users)

Open Settings > Samsung Cloud.
Tap Gallery > Trash.
Select and Restore deleted photos.

📌 Note:

Samsung Cloud keeps deleted files for 15 days.

Method 3: Use a Photo Recovery App (No Backup? Try This!)

If your photos aren’t in the trash or backup, you can use a photo recovery app. Here are the best ones:

Best Android Photo Recovery Apps:

DiskDigger Photo Recovery (Free & Paid)
Dumpster – Recycle Bin (Prevents future deletions)
EaseUS MobiSaver (Easy recovery for Android)

How to Use DiskDigger to Recover Deleted Photos:

Download DiskDigger from the Play Store.
Open the app and tap Start Basic Photo Scan.
Wait for the scan to complete.
Select the photos you want to recover.
Tap Recover and save them to a safe folder.

⚠ Warning:

Some apps require root access for deep scanning (not recommended for beginners).
Avoid installing recovery apps on the same storage where photos were deleted.

Method 4: Recover Deleted Photos from SD Card

If your photos were on an SD card, you can recover them easily:

Steps to Recover Photos from SD Card:

Remove the SD card from your phone.
Insert it into a computer (using a card reader).
Use a PC recovery tool like:

Recuva (Free)
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Scan the SD card and recover lost photos.

Method 5: Connect to a Computer & Use Data Recovery Software

If nothing else works, connect your Android phone to a PC and use professional recovery software.

Steps to Recover Photos Using a Computer:

Connect your Android phone to a computer via USB.
Enable USB Debugging (Go to Settings > About Phone > Tap “Build Number” 7 times to unlock Developer Options).
Open Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
Download a data recovery tool like:

Wondershare Dr.Fone
iMyFone D-Back

Scan your phone and recover deleted photos.

How to Prevent Losing Photos in the Future?

To avoid losing photos again, follow these tips:

✅ Turn on Google Photos Backup (Settings > Backup & Sync).
✅ Use an SD Card and back it up regularly.
✅ Enable Recycle Bin in your Gallery app.
✅ Use Cloud Storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive).

Final Thoughts

Losing photos is stressful, but recovery is possible! Try these methods in order:

Check Google Photos/Gallery Trash
Restore from Backup (Google Drive, Samsung Cloud)
Use a Recovery App (DiskDigger, Dumpster)
Recover from SD Card or Computer

The sooner you act, the better your chances. Never give up hope! 🚀

Did this guide help you? Share it with friends who might need it! 😊

FAQs

Q1. Can I recover permanently deleted photos from Android?

If they were deleted more than 30 days ago (Google Photos) or overwritten, recovery is difficult.

Q2. Do I need to root my Android for photo recovery?

Some apps require root, but basic recovery works without it.

Q3. Are recovery apps safe?

Stick to trusted apps like DiskDigger or EaseUS to avoid malware.

Vikas Chaudhari

Vikas Chaudhari is a seasoned how-to guide writer passionate about simplifying complex tasks into actionable steps. With 10 years] of experience in creating clear, engaging tutorials, Vikas empowers readers to achieve more with confidence. Whether it’s DIY home hacks, tech tips, or lifestyle shortcuts, his guides are known for their clarity, practicality, and user focus. Outside writing, Vikas enjoys tinkering with projects, exploring productivity tools, or reading up on emerging tech trends.