Accidentally deleting precious photos from your Android phone can be a heart-stopping moment. Whether it’s a clumsy tap or a moment of digital spring cleaning gone wrong, the feeling of loss can be significant. Fortunately, recovering deleted photos on Android is often possible, and in many cases, quite straightforward. This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to restore your lost memories, ensuring you understand each step to maximize your chances of recovery.
Can You Really Get Back Deleted Photos on Android?
Yes, in most instances, you absolutely can recover deleted photos from your Android device. Think of deleted files on your phone much like deleted files on your computer. When you delete a photo, it’s not immediately erased from the storage. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as available for new data. Until that space is overwritten, the deleted photo remains recoverable.
This principle applies to various file types, as explained in our broader guide on recovering deleted files on Android. However, Android’s security measures can complicate the process. The operating system limits direct access to the device’s storage, meaning that the success of photo recovery often depends on factors like whether your device is rooted and how quickly you act after deletion.
The Role of Rooting in Android Photo Recovery
Rooting your Android device is akin to gaining administrator rights on a Windows PC. Root access bypasses the standard Android security restrictions, granting data recovery applications deeper access to the system’s storage. This enhanced access significantly improves the effectiveness of recovery tools. On a rooted device, recovery software can perform a more thorough scan, delving into every sector of your phone’s memory to locate and restore deleted pictures.
However, it’s crucial to understand that rooting your phone after data loss may not be helpful and could even be detrimental. The rooting process itself involves writing new data to your phone’s storage, which can potentially overwrite the very photos you’re trying to recover, making the process impossible.
Why Time is of the Essence: TRIM and Photo Recovery
Acting quickly after realizing you’ve deleted photos is paramount. Modern Android devices utilize flash storage, which employs a feature called TRIM. TRIM optimizes the performance and lifespan of flash memory by proactively erasing data blocks that are no longer in use.
TRIM operates periodically, often during idle time, system updates, or device reboots. When TRIM runs, it can permanently erase deleted files, including your photos, by physically removing their data from the storage. This is why immediate action is crucial to maximize your chances of successful photo recovery before TRIM kicks in and potentially overwrites your lost images.
Scenarios and Solutions for Android Photo Recovery
The best approach to recovering your deleted photos depends on how they were lost and where they were stored. Here’s a breakdown of common scenarios and recommended solutions:
Scenario 1: Recent Accidental Deletion
- Possible Solutions:
- Check the Trash/Recycle Bin: Many apps, like Google Photos and Files by Google, have built-in trash folders where deleted items are temporarily stored.
- Disk Drill SD Card Scan: If your photos were on an SD card, using Disk Drill on a computer to scan the card is a powerful option.
- DiskDigger (Android App): DiskDigger can scan both internal and external storage directly from your Android device.
Scenario 2: Permanent Deletion from Phone Memory
- Possible Solutions:
- DiskDigger (Android App): For recovering from internal memory, DiskDigger is often the go-to Android app.
- Disk Drill SD Card Scan: If the photos were originally on an SD card that was used as internal storage, scanning the card with Disk Drill might still be effective.
- Google Drive Recovery: If you used Google Drive to back up your photos, check the Drive’s trash folder online.
Scenario 3: Permanent Deletion from SD Card
- Possible Solutions:
- Disk Drill SD Card Scan: Disk Drill excels at recovering data from SD cards when connected to a computer.
- DiskDigger (Android App): DiskDigger can also scan SD cards directly on your Android device.
Scenario 4: Unknown Photo Loss
- Possible Solutions:
- Check the Trash/Recycle Bin: Start with the simplest step and check trash folders in Google Photos and Files by Google.
- Google Photos Gallery: Sometimes photos may be moved or archived within Google Photos instead of being deleted.
- DiskDigger (Android App): A general scan with DiskDigger can help locate photos if you’re unsure where they might be.
Scenario 5: After Factory Reset/Phone Reflash
- Possible Solutions:
- Disk Drill SD Card Scan: If you were using an SD card, scanning it with Disk Drill after a factory reset is a primary recovery method.
- Google Photos Gallery: If your photos were backed up to Google Photos, they should still be accessible online.
- Google Drive Recovery: Similarly, check Google Drive if you used it for photo backups.
Step-by-Step Methods to Recover Deleted Photos
Let’s delve into the most effective methods to retrieve your deleted photos, covering a range of scenarios and tools you can use. Whether you’re using a Samsung, Xiaomi, or any other Android device, these solutions are designed to be broadly applicable. For Mac users, we also have a dedicated guide on Android data recovery on Macs.
For a broader selection of recovery apps, you can explore our guide to the best Android data recovery software. Many of these tools can recover deleted photos even without backups or root access.
Method 1: Recovering Photos from an Android Memory Card using Disk Drill
Disk Drill stands out as a top-tier data recovery application. Its consistent performance in data recovery comparisons, coupled with its user-friendly interface, makes it an excellent choice. A key advantage of Disk Drill is its extensive support for over 100 different image and graphic file formats.
Equally important is Disk Drill’s compatibility with various SD card types used in Android phones, regardless of the manufacturer (SanDisk, Transcend, Kingston, etc.). As long as your computer can recognize the SD card, Disk Drill can access it and attempt to recover photos deleted from your Android device.
For a more in-depth look, you can read our detailed review of Disk Drill.
Important Note: Disk Drill can only scan external storage (SD cards) by connecting the card directly to your computer. You’ll need to remove the SD card from your phone and use an SD card reader if your computer doesn’t have a built-in slot.
Steps to Recover Deleted Photos from an SD Card with Disk Drill:
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Connect and Select SD Card: Safely remove the SD card from your Android phone and connect it to your computer using an SD card reader. Download and install Disk Drill from the official website. Launch Disk Drill, locate your SD card in the Device/Disk list, and click Search for lost data.
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Initiate Scan: Allow Disk Drill to thoroughly scan the SD card. While you can preview results during the scan, letting it complete ensures the most comprehensive recovery.
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Review Found Items: Once the scan is complete, click Review found items in the top right corner to see the recoverable files.
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Filter and Locate Photos: Disk Drill may find a large number of files. Use the categories on the left and filters above the file list to narrow down your search to image files and quickly locate your deleted photos.
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Select and Recover: Preview the found photos, and check the boxes next to the ones you want to recover. Click the Recover button at the bottom right.
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Choose Recovery Location: Select a safe location on your computer to save the recovered photos. Crucially, do not save them back to the SD card you are recovering from, as this could overwrite other recoverable data. Click Next.
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Complete Recovery: Disk Drill will complete the recovery process and provide a summary. Click Show recovered data in Explorer to view your recovered photos in your computer’s file manager.
For alternative SD card recovery solutions, refer to our guide on how to recover deleted photos from SD cards on PC, Mac, and Android. If you’re dealing with a formatted SD card, our article on how to recover files from formatted SD cards on Android can provide further assistance.
Method 2: Recovering Lost Photos from Android Internal Memory with DiskDigger
Many apps, such as Snapchat and Viber, primarily use Android’s internal storage by default. Disk Drill, in its desktop version, cannot directly access internal storage on Android devices. This is where apps like DiskDigger become invaluable.
We have reviewed the PC version of DiskDigger, but the Android app, available on the Google Play Store, is designed for on-device recovery. DiskDigger for Android can scan both internal and external storage directly on your phone.
For the best results, a rooted Android device is recommended. Without root access, DiskDigger can still recover photos, but it will be limited to a basic scan, and recovered photos might be lower resolution than the originals.
Steps to Recover Photos from Android Internal Memory using DiskDigger:
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Install DiskDigger: Search for “DiskDigger” in the Google Play Store and install the app on your Android phone.
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Grant Permissions: When prompted, grant DiskDigger permission to access your device’s photos, media, and files. This is essential for the app to scan your storage.
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Start Basic Photo Search: Tap on Start Basic Photo Search. This will initiate a scan for recoverable photos. For a deeper scan, especially on rooted devices, you might see a “Full Scan” option.
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Select and Recover Photos: Review the photos DiskDigger finds. Check the boxes next to the photos you want to recover and tap Recover.
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Choose Recovery Method: Select how you want to recover the files. Options include saving directly to a folder on your device, uploading to cloud storage, or sending via email.
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Complete Recovery: Follow the prompts based on your chosen recovery method. For example, if you choose to save to a cloud service, you’ll be asked to select the specific app and location. In our example, we chose to email the recovered photos.
DiskDigger is a highly effective native Android app for photo recovery, but there are other options available. Explore our article on the best SD card recovery apps for Android for more choices.
Method 3: Restoring Photos from the Trash Folder in Files by Google
Unlike traditional desktop operating systems, Android doesn’t have a system-wide Recycle Bin by default. However, many file management apps, including Google’s own Files by Google app, incorporate a Trash folder. If you use Files by Google and accidentally deleted photos through it, recovery is often a simple process.
Steps to Recover Photos from the Files by Google Trash Folder:
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Open Files by Google: Launch the Files by Google app on your Android device. Access the menu by tapping the burger icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner or swiping from the left edge of the screen.
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Go to Trash: Tap on the Trash option in the Files by Google menu.
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Locate Deleted Photos: Scroll through the Trash folder to find your accidentally deleted photos.
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Select Photos for Recovery: Check the circles to the right of the photos you want to restore.
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Restore Photos: Tap Restore at the bottom of the screen. This will return the selected photos to their original locations on your device.
Method 4: Retrieving Photos from the Google Photos Trash Folder
If you use Google Photos to manage your photos, it also has its own Trash folder. This is a common scenario since Google Photos is often the default gallery app on many Android devices.
Steps to Recover Photos from the Google Photos Trash Folder:
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Open Google Photos and Go to Trash: Launch the Google Photos app. At the top of the screen, you’ll see shortcut options. Swipe left on these options until you see Trash and tap it. Alternatively, tap on “Library” at the bottom right and then select “Trash”.
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Select Photos for Recovery: Check the circles next to the photos you want to recover from the Trash. Then, tap Restore at the bottom right of the screen.
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Confirm Restore: A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap Restore again to confirm that you want to recover the selected photos.
Method 5: Recovering Deleted Photos from Google Drive
If you utilize Google Drive for photo backups, you might be able to retrieve deleted photos from your Google Drive account’s online storage. This method is effective if your photos were synced with Google Drive before deletion.
Steps to Recover Photos from Google Drive Trash:
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Open Google Drive: Launch the Google Drive app on your Android device. Check your files to see if your photos are immediately visible.
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Go to Trash in Google Drive: If you don’t see your photos, access the main menu by tapping the burger icon in the top left corner or swiping from the left edge of the screen. Select Trash.
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Locate and Select Photos in Trash: Find your deleted photos within the Google Drive Trash. Tap and hold on each photo to select it for recovery.
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Restore Photos: Once you’ve selected all the photos, tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner and choose Restore. This will move your photos out of the Trash and back into your Google Drive.
Important Time Limit: Google Drive permanently deletes files from the Trash after 30 days. Ensure you recover your photos within this timeframe.
Conclusion: Act Fast to Recover Your Android Photos
As we’ve explored, recovering deleted photos on Android is often achievable, even without dedicated backups. The presence of trash folders in various apps, combined with powerful data recovery tools, significantly increases your chances of restoring lost memories.
However, it’s crucial to remember that time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of your deleted photos being overwritten and becoming unrecoverable. Act quickly and use the methods outlined in this guide to maximize your success in retrieving your accidentally deleted photos on your Android device.
FAQ
How to find deleted photos on Android?
To find deleted photos on Android, start by checking the Trash or Recycle Bin folders in apps like Google Photos and Files by Google. If they aren’t there, consider using a data recovery app like DiskDigger directly on your Android device. For SD card recovery, connecting the card to a PC and using Disk Drill often yields better results due to its more robust recovery engine and deeper storage access. Desktop data recovery solutions generally offer more advanced features and don’t require root access for thorough scans.
How to recover permanently deleted photos from the Gallery?
“Permanently deleted” from the Gallery usually means photos are no longer in the Gallery app’s Trash folder. However, recovery is still possible using data recovery apps. DiskDigger is a suitable option for this. Launch DiskDigger, tap “Start Basic Photo Search,” select the found photos, and choose a recovery location.
How can I retrieve deleted pictures from my Android?
You can retrieve deleted pictures from your Android through several methods:
- Trash Folders: Check Trash folders in apps like Google Photos, Files by Google, and cloud storage apps (like Google Drive).
- Data Recovery Apps: Use apps like DiskDigger on your Android phone for internal and external storage scans, or Disk Drill on a computer for SD card recovery.
How to retrieve deleted photos on Samsung?
Samsung devices use a modified Android system, but the general recovery methods remain the same. You can use the methods described for any Android device. However, Samsung-specific guides may offer tailored advice. Consider checking guides on how to recover photos from Samsung phones or Samsung SD card recovery for potentially optimized steps and Samsung-specific nuances.
