Accidentally deleting photos and videos can be frustrating, but don’t worry—your iPhone has built-in tools to help you recover them. If needed, third-party recovery options can also help. Follow this step-by-step guide to get your lost media back.
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Method 1: Recover from the “Recently Deleted” Album
Your iPhone automatically stores deleted photos and videos in a special folder for 30 days before permanently removing them. Here’s how to retrieve them:
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Tap on Albums at the bottom of the screen.
- Scroll down and select Recently Deleted under “Utilities.”
- Browse through the deleted items and find the photo or video you want to restore.
- Tap on the photo or video, then tap Recover (or select multiple and tap Recover All).
- The recovered item will be restored to its original album.
Note: If the item has been deleted for more than 30 days, it will no longer be in the Recently Deleted album.
Method 2: Restore from iCloud Backup
If the photo or video is no longer in the Recently Deleted album, you may be able to recover it from an iCloud backup. Here’s how:
- Check iCloud Photos:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos.
- Ensure that iCloud Photos is turned on.
- Visit iCloud.com on a computer, sign in, and check if the photo is in the Photos section.
- Restore an iCloud Backup (Last Resort)
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Follow the setup steps and choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Select a backup from before the photos or videos were deleted.
Warning: This will erase your iPhone and restore it from the selected backup, so back up your current data first.
Method 3: Use Third-Party Recovery Apps
If you don’t have a backup, third-party recovery tools can help scan your device for lost photos and videos. Some popular options include:
- Dr.Fone – Data Recovery
- iMobie PhoneRescue
- Tenorshare UltData
How to Use a Recovery App:
- Download and install the recovery app on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to scan for deleted files.
- Select the photos and videos you want to restore and save them to your device.
Note: These apps are not always guaranteed to work, and some require a paid version for full recovery.
Prevent Future Data Loss
To avoid losing important photos and videos in the future, consider these tips:
- Turn on iCloud Photos to automatically back up your images.
- Use Google Photos or Dropbox as an extra backup.
- Regularly save important photos to a computer or external drive.
Final Thoughts
Losing photos and videos can be stressful, but with these recovery methods, you have a good chance of getting them back. Start with the Recently Deleted album, check your iCloud backups, and use third-party apps if necessary. By backing up your media regularly, you can prevent future data loss.
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