How to Recover Deleted Photos on iPhone (2025 Ultimate Guide)
Quick answer: Recently deleted photos can be recovered directly from the “Recently Deleted” folder for up to 30 days. After that, you may still recover them through iCloud Photos, iCloud Backup, iTunes/Finder backups, third-party tools, or by extracting data from a secondary device where the photo still synced.
On this page
- 1. Before You Try to Recover Photos
- 2. Check the Recently Deleted Folder
- 3. Recover Photos from iCloud Photos
- 4. Restore from an iCloud Backup
- 5. Recover Photos Using iTunes/Finder
- 6. Advanced Methods (Third-Party Tools)
- 7. If Your Photos Were Permanently Deleted
- 8. Troubleshooting
- 9. FAQ
- 10. Sources
1. Before You Try to Recover Photos
iPhones automatically sync your photos through iCloud if the feature is enabled. This means your deleted photo may still exist on:
- iCloud Photos
- iCloud device backups
- iTunes/Finder backups
- Other linked devices (iPad, Mac)
- Your “Recently Deleted” folder (30 days)
Always stop taking new photos if you want to maximize recovery chances. New photos overwrite deleted data.
2. Check the Recently Deleted Folder
This is the fastest method and works for up to 30 days after deletion.
- Open the Photos app.
- Go to Albums.
- Scroll down to Recently Deleted.
- Select the photos you want to recover.
- Tap Recover.
If you turned off iCloud Photos as soon as you deleted the photos, they may still be available locally even after 30 days.
3. Recover Photos from iCloud Photos
If iCloud Photos was turned on, your photos may still be stored in the cloud even if they disappeared from your phone.
Method A: Check iCloud Photos Online
- Go to icloud.com and sign in.
- Open Photos.
- Browse all albums and the Recently Deleted folder.
- Restore photos if available.
Method B: Turn iCloud Photos Off and On
- Go to Settings.
- Tap your name → iCloud → Photos.
- Turn off iCloud Photos.
- Wait 60 seconds and turn it back on.
4. Restore from an iCloud Backup
Restoring a backup replaces all data on your iPhone. Use only if the photos were in a previous backup.
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Select a backup created before the photos were deleted.
5. Recover Photos Using iTunes/Finder
- Connect your iPhone to a computer.
- Open Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows).
- Select your device.
- Choose Restore Backup.
- Select an older backup containing the photos.
6. Advanced Methods (Third-Party Tools)
These tools can scan your device storage and extract fragments of deleted photos.
- Dr.Fone Data Recovery
- Tenorshare UltData
- iMobie PhoneRescue
These methods work best if you stopped using your phone immediately after the photos were deleted.
7. If Your Photos Were Permanently Deleted
If the 30-day period expired and no backup exists, try one of the following:
- Check synced devices (iPad, Mac).
- Search your WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger saved media.
- Look in your Files app (photo exports, edits, RAW files).
- Ask contacts who may still have the images.
8. Troubleshooting
“iCloud Photos is not syncing”
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Ensure enough iCloud storage.
- Restart iPhone.
- Toggle iCloud Photos off/on.
“Photos disappeared after update”
This is usually an iCloud sync delay. Wait up to a few hours and keep the device on Wi-Fi.
“I restored a backup but photos are still missing”
- The backup may not have included Photos.
- Try a different backup (older).
- Check iCloud Photos separately.
9. FAQ
Can I recover photos deleted more than 30 days ago?
Yes, if the photos existed in an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup, or if they synced to another Apple device.
Do third-party tools really work?
They can, but only if deleted data has not been overwritten.
Will restoring a backup delete my current data?
Yes. Always save your current photos and files before restoring older backups.
Does Apple keep deleted photos on its servers?
Apple keeps Recently Deleted photos for 30 days only.
