In the digital age we live in, our photos are more than just bits and bytes. They are moments, memories, smiles, and stories. If you’ve accidentally deleted a cherished photo from your Android device, the initial panic can be overwhelming. But take heart, fellow tech enthusiasts, the digital realm often gives us a second chance. Here’s a quick guide on how to retrieve those deleted photos from your Android Recycle Bin.
Method 1: Using Android’s Native “Recently Deleted” Album
If you’re using a modern Android device, there’s a good chance it has a built-in “Recently Deleted” album. This feature, introduced in Android 10, serves as a safety net for your photos. It keeps deleted photos for 30 days before permanently removing them. If you’re within that grace period, here’s how you can recover your photos:
- Open the ‘Gallery’ app and tap on ‘Albums’.
- Scroll down to find the ‘Recently Deleted’ album.
- Open it and select the photos you wish to restore.
- Tap ‘Restore’ and voila! Your photos are back.
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Method 2: Delving into Google Photos
If you’re using Google Photos, you’re in luck. Google Photos offers a feature similar to Android’s “Recently Deleted” album. Deleted photos are moved to the trash and kept there for 60 days. Here’s how to retrieve them:
- Open the Google Photos app.
- On the bottom right, tap ‘Library’ and then ‘Trash’.
- Select the photos you wish to recover.
- Tap ‘Restore’, and your photos will be back in your gallery.
Remember, the photos stay in the trash for 60 days. After that, Google Photos permanently deletes them. For more information, check Google’s official help page.
Method 3: Enlisting the Aid of Third-Party Apps
For times when the native Android or Google Photos option doesn’t work, third-party apps come to the rescue. One such app I recommend is Dr.Fone, a data recovery tool that has saved me from many similar photo-loss crises. Dr.Fone can help you recover deleted files, including photos, directly from your phone or an SD card. Here’s how:
- Download and install Dr.Fone from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app, select ‘Recover’, and grant the necessary permissions.
- Select the file type you wish to recover, in this case, ‘Gallery’.
- Click ‘Next’, and the app will begin scanning.
- Once the scan is complete, select the photos you wish to recover and tap ‘Recover’.
Method 4: Using Desktop Software
If all else fails, it’s time to bring in the big guns – recovery software for your desktop. One robust tool is Recuva, a free data recovery tool that can recover files from your computer, your SD card, or directly from your phone. Here’s how you can use Recuva:
- Download and install Recuva from the official website.
- Connect your Android device to your computer and enable file transfer mode.
- Open Recuva, select the drive that represents your Android device, and let Recuva scan for deleted files.
- Once the scan is complete, select your photos and click ‘Recover’.
Remember, the sooner you start the recovery process after deleting a photo, the higher your chances are of successful recovery.
