How to recover deleted photos from an iPhone
I understand the distress that comes with accidentally deleting cherished photos from your iPhone. It can certainly cause a moment of panic. However, there is often a way to recover those images.
To help you, I have put together a simple chart along with several tips. This guide offers effective solutions for different situations, whether you have accidentally deleted a photo or it has been lost beyond the 30-day recovery period.
How can I find deleted photos on my iPhone?
When a photo is deleted from your iPhone, it is transferred to the Recently Deleted folder (Photos ➙ Albums ➙ Utilities ➙ Recently Deleted). This photo remains in that folder for a duration of 30 days, allowing you the opportunity to recover it if you reconsider your decision; after this period, it is permanently removed.
The easiest way to recover permanently deleted photos on iPhone (Mac needed)
It is important to note that a Mac is required to utilize this method.
In certain instances, iPhone applications may not suffice for the recovery of permanently deleted photos. In such cases, it becomes necessary to employ more robust software that must be installed on your Mac. I consistently utilize Disk Drill, a sophisticated tool for file recovery and backup. There was a time when I could not depend on a backup due to its outdated nature, which compelled me to resort to this solution as my sole option.
To recover permanently deleted photos from an iPhone using Disk Drill, please follow these steps:
- Download and install Disk Drill on your Mac.
- Navigate to the Data Recovery panel on the left and select iPhones & iPads.
- Connect your iPhone to the Mac using a USB cable.
- Choose your iPhone from the list and initiate a search for lost data.
- Select Photos from the panel on the left to preview the images available for recovery.
- Mark the boxes next to the photos you wish to restore and click on Recover.
Disk Drill offers exceptional versatility, as it is not limited to Apple devices alone. When utilized on a Mac, it is capable of recovering files from a variety of sources, including Android devices, USB drives, and SD cards from digital cameras. I have assisted numerous friends in retrieving their cherished photos using Disk Drill, and witnessing their expressions of relief and happiness, often accompanied by sincere embraces, has been immensely gratifying.
How to recover photos from Recently Deleted album in Photos
If the images you seek have been deleted recently, recovering them on your Mac or iPhone is a straightforward process.
The Recently Deleted folder in Photos serves as an essential tool for retrieving deleted photos from your iPhone camera roll. This folder appears in the sidebar following the deletion of an item and facilitates the reversal of your action. To restore your photos, simply access the Recently Deleted folder, select the desired item or items, and click on the Recover option located in the upper right corner.
How to restore deleted pictures from iPhone with iCloud backups
If you have lost significant images and are relying on iCloud for assistance, there are two important points to consider:
Firstly, when you remove photos from your iPhone, they are simultaneously deleted from your iCloud Photos library. Secondly, to recover deleted images, you will need to locate an iCloud backup of your iPhone. To set up a backup, navigate to iPhone Settings, select your name, and then choose iCloud followed by iCloud Backup.
To utilize an iCloud backup for recovering photos that are no longer visible on your iPhone, you must be prepared to erase all data on your device and reset it to factory settings. Afterward, follow these steps to restore your iPhone and retrieve your images:
- Power on your iPhone.
- Begin at the Hello screen and follow the on-screen prompts until you reach Apps & Data, then select Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Log in to your iCloud account.
- Select the desired backup and initiate the transfer.
- Remain connected to WiFi to ensure the process completes successfully.
How to restore photos with cloud storage
Cloud storage solutions, such as Dropbox and OneDrive, are widely utilized for maintaining file synchronization across various devices and can also serve as a backup for your photographs.
To synchronize your iPhone photos with Dropbox or OneDrive, you need to activate the Camera Uploads feature in the Settings, which will ensure that your photos are automatically uploaded to the cloud.
Once you upload your photos to OneDrive, you can safely remove the uploaded images from your iPhone, as the copies stored in OneDrive will remain intact and function as your backup.
In the case of Dropbox, recovering deleted photos from your iPhone is only possible if you have also selected the option for photo backup.
How to retrieve deleted photos on iPhone using Finder
You have the option to back up your iPhone to your Mac, allowing you to utilize this backup in the future, thus alleviating concerns regarding the recovery of deleted photos from your iPhone.
For macOS Catalina or later, the process of creating and restoring iPhone backups is conducted through Finder. To locate and upload the necessary backup, please follow these steps:
- Launch Finder from the Dock on your Mac.
- Connect your iPhone to the Mac using a USB cable.
- Click on the icon representing your iPhone when it appears in the sidebar.
- Select the option to Restore Backup.
- Review the available backups and choose the desired version, then click Restore.
This alternative may indeed serve as a crucial solution for restoring images on your iPhone; however, it is important to acknowledge its specific limitations:
You will not have the ability to preview the contents of your backup, making it uncertain whether it includes the desired photos. Additionally, it is not possible to selectively restore only the photos; to retrieve the deleted images, you must restore the entire backup to your iPhone.
How to retrieve deleted photos on iPhone using iTunes
To recover deleted photos on your phone using macOS Mojave or earlier, follow these steps involving iTunes:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
- Launch iTunes on your Mac.
- When your iPhone’s icon is displayed, click on Summary and then select Restore Backup.
- After the backup process is finished, you can view the restored photos in the Photos app on your iPhone.
How to recover deleted photos from iPhone camera roll and live to share the tips
To summarize, if you have lost your files and are questioning whether it is possible to recover permanently deleted photos from your iPhone, your situation may be challenging; however, there are still a few avenues you can explore. The most effective methods include restoring from an iPhone backup or utilizing Disk Drill on your Mac, which specializes in photo recovery.
It is important to note that you cannot depend on cloud synchronization as a backup for your iPhone camera roll, as the images stored in iCloud and Dropbox will mirror those on your device. To ensure a safer backup, you must set up iCloud backup or Dropbox photo backup.
Additionally, installing CloudMounter can significantly simplify your experience by providing centralized access to all your cloud accounts directly from Finder on your Mac. As a more reliable alternative to cloud synchronization, you might also consider ChronoSync Express, which allows for hourly syncing or backing up of folders between your Mac and iPhone’s, should you choose to do so.
Most importantly, do not miss the opportunity to test all the applications mentioned with a free seven-day trial of Setapp, a platform offering high-performance, top-tier iOS and macOS applications. This will allow you to practice recovering deleted photos on your device while exploring over 240 potential options to enhance your productivity.
FAQ
Can you recover deleted photos from iPhone that are not in iCloud?
It is indeed possible to retrieve deleted photos from your iPhone that are no longer present in the camera roll by accessing a backup stored on your Mac, an external hard drive, or an alternative cloud storage service.
Are permanently deleted photos gone forever?
In certain instances, it is not guaranteed that lost files can be recovered. Frequently, such files may be permanently deleted, particularly if they have been overwritten multiple times. However, Disk Drill, a specialized data recovery application for Mac, frequently proves effective in retrieving lost files. To utilize this service, install Disk Drill on your Mac, connect your iPhone, and perform a scan to recover the necessary files.
iphone photo loss
Experiencing the loss of photos on your iPhone can be quite troubling, especially when those images capture significant moments. This unfortunate occurrence may result from accidental deletions, failed software updates, or app malfunctions, causing a wave of anxiety upon realizing that treasured photos are no longer accessible.
Thankfully, various recovery methods exist, including the Recently Deleted folder, iCloud backups, and third-party recovery solutions such as Disk Drill. Implementing preventive measures, such as routinely backing up your photos, can mitigate the risk of future losses and help preserve your invaluable memories.
My Personal Experience
A few weeks ago, I accidentally deleted some important photos from my iPhone. Initially, I believed this would not pose a problem, as I was aware of the 30-day recovery window available in the “Recently Deleted” folder. I quickly accessed that folder, hopeful that I would be able to restore my lost photos. Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found.
I explored every possible avenue—searching through iCloud, reviewing backups, and even investigating third-party recovery applications. Despite my comprehensive efforts, I was unable to retrieve the photographs. This experience was quite frustrating, particularly because those pictures were deeply meaningful to me. I quickly accessed that folder, expecting to find my photos available for restoration. Unfortunately, they were missing.
i just tried on iphone 7, iphone 8 and iphone 14.
