Recover Deleted Pictures from Google Photos Easily

Accidentally deleting cherished photos from Google Photos can be a nightmare. However, with Google’s user-friendly recovery options, you can breathe easy. This guide will walk you through personalized steps to recover your deleted pictures from Google Photos, ensuring that your precious memories are never truly lost.

Check the Trash Bin First: Google Photos has a built-in safeguard where deleted photos are moved to the Trash Bin (or Recycle Bin) and kept there for 60 days before being permanently deleted. Here’s how to recover them from the Trash Bin:

• Open Google Photos: Launch the Google Photos app on your smartphone or visit the Google Photos website on your computer.
• Access the Trash Bin:
  • On the app: Tap on the “Library” tab at the bottom, then select “Trash.”
  • On the website: Click on the “Menu” (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner and select “Trash.”
• Recover Your Photos:
  • Browse through the photos in the Trash Bin. Once you find the photos you want to recover, tap and hold (or click) to select them.
  • Also, tap on the “Restore” button (usually a curved arrow) to move them back to your main photo library.

Recover Pictures from Google Photos on Android and iOS

• Open the Google Photos App: Ensure you are signed in to the Google account associated with your photos.
• Navigate to the Trash: Tap on “Library” at the bottom, then go to “Trash.”
• Select and Restore: Also, tap and hold the photos you want to recover. Once selected, tap on the “Restore” button to return them to your library.

Using Google Takeout for Recovery: Google Takeout allows you to download a copy of all your Google Photos data, which might include deleted pictures if they were included in a previous backup.

• Visit Google Takeout: Go to Google Takeout and log in with your Google account.
• Select Google Photos: Deselect all services except Google Photos to avoid downloading unnecessary data.
• Create Export: Click on “Next step” and then choose your preferred delivery method (e.g., download link via email).
• Download and Extract: Once the export is ready, download and extract the files to check if the deleted photos are included.

Check Device Backups: If you use multiple devices, your photos might be backed up elsewhere:

• Check Other Devices: Look for backups on other devices where you might have used Google Photos. More so, the app often syncs across all devices linked to your Google account.
• Backup and Restore Settings: On Android, check the “Backup & restore” settings to see if photos were backed up automatically. Also, on iOS, check iCloud settings if you’ve used the Google Photos app to sync with iCloud.

Using Third-Party Recovery Tools to Recover Pictures

There are several third-party recovery tools available that might help you recover photos that are not in the Trash Bin. More so, use these tools with caution:

• DiskDigger (Android): Download DiskDigger from the Google Play Store. It allows you to scan your device for deleted pictures and recover them.
• Dr.Fone (iOS/Android): Dr.Fone offers recovery tools for both iOS and Android. Also, download the software, follow the instructions to scan your device, and recover deleted photos.

Prevent Future Loss: To avoid the stress of recovering deleted photos in the future, consider these tips:

• Enable Automatic Backup: Ensure that automatic backup is enabled in Google Photos. Go to “Settings” > “Backup & sync” and toggle it on.
• Regularly Backup to External Storage: Periodically back up your photos to an external hard drive or cloud service for extra security.
• Organize and Manage Photos: Regularly organize and manage your photos in Google Photos. Also, create albums and use tags to make finding specific photos easier.

Recovering deleted photos from Google Photos is straightforward if you know where to look and what steps to take.