Losing photos can be devastating. Thankfully, there are several ways to recover them, depending on where they were stored and how they were deleted. This guide will walk you through various photo recovery methods on iCloud, iPhone, and Mac.
Recovering Deleted Photos from iCloud
iCloud Photos automatically backs up your photos and videos, making recovery possible if you accidentally delete them. Deleted photos are kept in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days before being permanently removed. Here’s how to recover them:
On iCloud.com:
- Access Photos on iCloud.com.
- Locate the Recently Deleted album in the sidebar (click the sidebar icon if it’s not visible).
- Select the photos you wish to recover.
- Click the Recover button.
alt text: icloud photo recovery interface showing recently deleted album
Recovering Deleted Photos on iPhone
Your iPhone also retains deleted photos in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days. Follow these steps to recover them:
- Open the Photos app.
- Navigate to the Albums tab.
- Scroll down to Utilities and tap on Recently Deleted.
- Authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID if prompted (iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, or later).
- Tap Select, choose the photos to recover, and tap Recover. Alternatively, tap Recover All to restore everything.
- Confirm by tapping Recover Photo.
Recovering Deleted Photos on Mac
Similar to iCloud and iPhone, your Mac stores deleted photos in a Recently Deleted album within the Photos app. Here’s how to recover them:
- Open the Photos application on your Mac.
- In the sidebar, click on Recently Deleted. Unlock the album with Touch ID or your password if necessary.
- Select the photos you want to restore.
- Click the Recover button.
Keep in mind that once the Recently Deleted album is emptied, either manually or after 30 days, the photos are permanently deleted from this location.
Other Recovery Options: Time Machine
If your photos are deleted permanently from the Recently Deleted album, you might still have recovery options. If you use Time Machine to back up your Mac, you might be able to restore your Photos library to a point before the photos were deleted.
Conclusion
Recovering lost photos is often possible thanks to features like iCloud Photos and the Recently Deleted album. Remember to act quickly, as deleted photos are only temporarily stored. Utilizing backup solutions like Time Machine can provide an additional layer of protection against permanent photo loss. If you’ve exhausted these options, consider consulting a data recovery specialist.
