Delete a photo by accident? Here’s how to get it back
You’re browsing photos, your finger slips and poof! A cherished image is gone forever. Before you panic, know there might be a way to bring it back. The best part is it works even if you accidentally deleted something days ago.
Google Photos
Google Photos is one of the most forgiving apps when it comes to accidental deletion. There’s usually an “undo” button that flashes on your screen for a few seconds after the deed.
That said, any photo you delete will land in the Trash folder for up to 60 days, as long as Back up and Sync is enabled.
- On your iPhone or Android, open Google Photos.
- At the bottom, select Library > Trash.
- Touch and hold the photo you want to restore. Tap Restore.
FYI: Even if you don’t have Back up and Sync enabled, there’s a good chance your photo will be recoverable for up to 30 days. If you empty the trash folder, though, you’re out of luck.
Apple Photos
Any images you delete will appear in the Recently Deleted album. You’ll have up to 30 days to get them back, whether you have iCloud enabled or not.
- Open the Photos app.
- Select Albums and tap Recently Deleted.
- Use the Face ID or Touch ID if prompted.
- Select the deleted photo and tap Recover.
If you can’t find a deleted pic, there’s a slim chance it’s actually “hidden.” To check:
- Open the Photos app. Select Albums and tap Hidden under Utilities.
- Use the Face ID or Touch ID if prompted.
- Select the photo you want to unhide. Tap the More button and select Unhide.
Voila, your deleted (or hidden) photo is back.
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