Stop Using the Device: When you delete photos, they aren't immediately erased from the storage. Instead, the system marks the space as available for new data. To avoid overwriting these files, stop using the device immediately.
Check Recycle Bin/Trash: The first place to look for deleted photos is the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). If your photos are there, you can restore them with just a few clicks.
Recovering Photos on Different Platforms
Windows
1. Recycle Bin
Open Recycle Bin: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
Locate Your Photos: Browse through the files. If you find your photos, right-click and select "Restore."
2. File History
Access File History: Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
Restore Files: Browse through the history to find the deleted photos. Select and restore them.
3. Data Recovery Software
Panda Data Recovery is a powerful and intuitive software designed to retrieve lost or deleted files from USB drives, external hard drives, and other storage devices. It features a straightforward interface that makes it accessible for users of all skill levels. The software provides two primary scanning options: Quick Scan for rapid recovery of recently deleted files and Deep Scan for more comprehensive searches to recover files from formatted or corrupted drives.
Panda Data Recovery supports a wide range of file formats, including documents, images, videos, and audio files, ensuring versatility for various recovery scenarios. Users can preview files before recovery, allowing them to verify the integrity of the data. The software is compatible with multiple file systems, such as FAT, NTFS, and exFAT, which broadens its application across different devices.
Additional features include file filtering options to streamline the recovery process and the ability to create disk images for safe data recovery from damaged drives. With ongoing updates and reliable customer support, Panda Data Recovery provides a secure and efficient solution for anyone looking to recover important files, making it an essential tool for data recovery needs.
Mac
1. Trash
Open Trash: Click on the Trash icon in the dock.
Restore Photos: Find your photos, right-click, and select "Put Back."
2. Time Machine
Open Time Machine: Connect your Time Machine backup drive.
Restore Photos: Navigate to the date before the photos were deleted and restore them.
3. Data Recovery Software
For Mac, reliable data recovery software includes:
PhotoRec:
Download and install PhotoRec.
Open the terminal and run PhotoRec.
Follow the prompts to recover your photos.
Stellar Data Recovery:
Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.
Open the software, select the drive, and scan.
Preview and recover your photos.
Smartphones (iOS and Android)
iOS
Recently Deleted Album
Open Photos App: Go to Albums > Recently Deleted.
Recover Photos: Select the photos you want to restore and tap "Recover."
iCloud
iCloud Website: Log in to iCloud.com.
Photos: Go to Photos > Recently Deleted and restore your photos.
Data Recovery Apps
Dr.Fone:
Download and install Dr.Fone on your computer.
Connect your iPhone and follow the prompts to scan and recover your photos.
EaseUS MobiSaver:
Download and install EaseUS MobiSaver.
Connect your iPhone and scan for deleted photos.
Preview and recover your photos.
Android
Google Photos
Google Photos App: Open the app and go to Library > Trash.
Restore Photos: Select the photos and tap "Restore."
Manufacturer-Specific Cloud Services
Samsung Cloud: Open Samsung Cloud and go to Trash. Restore your photos from there.
Huawei Cloud: Similar steps as Samsung Cloud.
Data Recovery Apps
DiskDigger:
Download DiskDigger from the Play Store.
Open the app, grant permissions, and scan your device.
Preview and recover your photos.
Dr.Fone:
Download and install Dr.Fone on your computer.
Connect your Android device and follow the prompts to recover your photos.
Memory Cards and External Drives
Stop Using the Card/Drive: Prevent further data from being written to the card or drive.
Data Recovery Software: Use software like Recuva, Disk Drill, or PhotoRec to scan the memory card or external drive and recover photos.
Advanced Methods
Professional Data Recovery Services
If software recovery fails, consider professional data recovery services. They have specialized equipment and expertise to recover data from damaged or corrupted storage devices. Look for reputable services like DriveSavers, Ontrack, or local data recovery specialists.
Using Command-Line Tools
Windows (Command Prompt)
Attrib Command:
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Use the command attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.* (replace X with your drive letter) to restore hidden files.
Mac (Terminal)
TestDisk:
Install TestDisk using Homebrew (brew install testdisk).
Open Terminal and run TestDisk.
Follow the prompts to scan and recover your photos.
Cloud Backups
Dropbox:
Website: Log in to dropbox.com.
File Recovery: Go to Files > Deleted Files and restore your photos.
OneDrive:
Website: Log in to onedrive.com.
Recycle Bin: Go to Recycle Bin and restore your photos.
Other Cloud Services: Follow similar steps for other cloud storage services like Google Drive, Box, or Mega.
Preventive Measures
Regular Backups: Regularly back up your photos to external drives, cloud storage, or network-attached storage (NAS) devices.
Use Reliable Storage: Invest in high-quality memory cards, external drives, and SSDs.
Enable Automatic Backup: Use automatic backup services on your smartphone and computer.
File Organization: Keep your photos organized in folders and use consistent naming conventions.
Recovery Software: Keep reliable recovery software installed and up-to-date.
