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How to recover deleted photos on iPhones

Lewis Hanney | WeBuyAnyPhone.com


How to recover deleted photos on iPhones

One moment you’re swiping through your photos, and the next, a beloved picture seems to vanish into thin air. Before you give up hope, take a breath, there are ways to recover those lost images.

If you deleted a photo by mistake or it vanished for another reason, don’t think you lost it forever. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you retrieve your precious memories. Here you can learn how to get your deleted photos back on iPhone.

What happens when you delete a photo?

When you delete a photo on your iPhone, it doesn’t instantly disappear. Instead, the system temporarily stores it in a safety net called the Recently Deleted folder. You have a window of time (typically 30 days) to recover the image before it’s removed permanently.

But, there are other you can recover permanently deleted photos from your iPhone.

 

Your options for retrieving deleted photos on iPhone

Recently Deleted folder: The easiest place to start. 

iCloud backup: Great if you’ve been using iCloud to store your images.

Third-party recovery apps: For when the built-in options aren’t enough.

iTunes backup: An old-school yet effective recovery method.

Prevention tips: Keep your photos safe with smart practices.

 

How to recover photos deleted from the recently deleted folder

The Recently Deleted folder in the Photos app is your first stop when a photo goes missing. It acts like a computer's recycling bin, giving you a chance to recover images you didn’t mean to erase.

1.Open the Photos app and tap on the Albums tab. 

2.Scroll down to locate the Recently Deleted album. 

3.Inside, you’ll see thumbnails of photos deleted in the last 30 days. Each photo will display the number of days remaining before it becomes permanently deletes it.

4.Select the photo you want to recover, tap Recover, and confirm your choice.

Just remember that your iPhone erases photos in the recently deleted album after 30 days.

 

How to recover permanently deleted photos from iCloud

If you can’t find your photo in the Recently Deleted folder, iCloud might save the day. You can often recover photos backed up to iCloud with just a few steps.

1.Log into your iCloud account via a browser or your iPhone’s settings.

2.Open Photos in iCloud and browse through your library. If the photo is there, you can download it back to your device.

3.Ensure you update your iCloud settings and enable backups to prevent future losses.

iCloud not only helps you recover your photos but also ensures their safe, long-term storage.

 

When to consider third-party recovery apps

Sometimes, Apple’s built-in features aren’t enough. That’s where third-party recovery apps come in. These tools specialise in digging deeper into your device’s storage to find photos that appear lost.

Look for apps that specialise in data recovery. Some examples are Dr.Fone, Enigma Recovery, or Stellar Data Recovery.

Download and install the app, then follow its instructions to scan your iPhone for recoverable files.

Many of these apps offer free trials, so you can test them without committing to a purchase.

Understand that We Buy Any Phone is not connected to these apps. They are not responsible for what you find in them, how they work, or any problems you may have while using them. Always review app permissions and user feedback carefully before proceeding.

Keep in mind that third-party tools can be powerful, but they cannot guarantee recovery of every lost photo. Use them as a last resort when other methods have failed.

 

Restoring photos from an iTunes backup

If you regularly back up your iPhone to a computer using iTunes, this method could be a lifesaver.

1.Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes or Finder (for macOS Catalina or later). 2.Select your device and choose the Restore Backup option.

3.Select a backup made before the photo was deleted, and follow the prompts to restore it.

Restoring from a backup replaces your current data with the older backup. So think carefully before using this method - especially if you’ve made recent changes to your device.

 

Using iCloud Photo Library

The iCloud Photo Library syncs your photos across all Apple devices, which can make recovery even easier. If you enable this feature, your photos might still exist on another device linked to your account.

1.Check your iPad, Mac, or any other Apple device logged into the same iCloud account.

2.Use a stable internet connection to sync your devices and refresh your photo library.

3.If the photo is on another device, you can download it back to your iPhone.

This feature works best when you’ve enabled photo syncing and regularly check your iCloud settings.

 

Recovering photos through shared albums or the same Apple ID

Shared albums and multiple devices using the same Apple ID offer additional ways to retrieve lost photos.

Shared albums: If you’ve shared a photo with someone else, it might still exist in their library. Other devices: Check your other Apple devices to see if the missing image is still there.

These options provide alternative recovery methods without needing a full backup or third-party app.

 

How to prevent photo loss in the future

Avoid losing photos in the first place is your best option. Here are a few simple tips to protect your memories:

1.Back up regularly: Use iCloud or iTunes to save your photos consistently.

2.Optimise storage: Enable iCloud’s storage optimization to reduce the need for manual deletions.

3.Mark favourites: Highlight important photos as favourites so they’re easy to find and less likely to be deleted.

4.Double-check before deleting: Take a moment to review photos before you remove them.

By following these steps, you can avoid losing your photos.

 

In summary

Losing a photo can feel like a disaster, but recovery is often easier than you think. But, there are plenty of ways to bring back lost images. Whether you use the Recently Deleted folder, iCloud, or even third-party apps. And with preventative measures in place, you can keep your photo library safe and secure.

The next time you lose a photo, you now know how to recover permanently deleted photos on your iPhone.

 

Frequently asked questions

How do I recover deleted photos on iPhone?

Start with the Recently Deleted folder in the Photos app. If that doesn’t work, check your iCloud backups or use recovery tools.

Are permanently deleted photos gone forever?

Not always, you may be able to recover them using third-party apps or data recovery services.

How To

How to recover deleted photos on iPhones

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you retrieve your precious memories. Here you can learn how to get your deleted photos back on iPhone.

Lewis Hanney | WeBuyAnyPhone.com

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