How do you delete recently deleted photos? This is a common question that many people ask themselves after they accidentally delete important images. Whether you’re using an Android or iOS device, there are steps you can take to recover or permanently delete these photos. In this article, we’ll explore the different methods to help you regain control over your deleted photos and maintain your privacy.
Firstly, if you’ve just deleted a photo and haven’t yet closed the app or restarted your device, you may still be able to recover it. Most smartphones have a Recently Deleted album or folder where deleted photos are temporarily stored. To access this folder, follow these steps:
1. On an iPhone, open the Photos app and tap the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen. Scroll down and tap “Recently Deleted.”
2. On an Android device, open the Google Photos app and tap the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner. Select “Albums” and then scroll down to find “Recently Deleted.”
Once you’re in the Recently Deleted folder, you can view all the photos you’ve deleted within the last 30 days. To recover a photo, simply tap on it and then select “Restore.” The photo will be moved back to its original location in your photo library.
If you can’t find the Recently Deleted folder or if the photos have been deleted for more than 30 days, you may still have a chance to recover them. On an iPhone, you can use the iCloud Backup feature to restore your deleted photos. Here’s how:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen and then select “iCloud.”
3. Scroll down and tap “Photos.”
4. Turn on the “iCloud Photos” option.
5. Go to your computer and log in to iCloud.com using your Apple ID.
6. Click on the Photos app and then select “Recently Deleted” from the menu on the left.
7. Choose the photos you want to recover and click “Restore.”
On an Android device, you can use Google Photos to recover deleted photos. Follow these steps:
1. Open the Google Photos app on your Android device.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner and select “Library.”
3. Scroll down and tap “Trash.”
4. Find the photos you want to recover and tap the “Restore” button next to each photo.
However, if you’ve already cleared the Recently Deleted folder or if you’re looking to permanently delete photos, you’ll need to take additional steps. On an iPhone, you can use the “Erase All Content and Settings” option to remove all data from your device, including deleted photos. Here’s how:
1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Tap “Erase All Content and Settings” and enter your passcode when prompted.
On an Android device, you can delete photos permanently by deleting them from the storage location. This could be the internal storage or an SD card. Here’s how:
1. Open the Gallery or Google Photos app on your Android device.
2. Navigate to the folder where the deleted photos are stored.
3. Tap and hold the photos you want to delete, then select “Delete” or “Delete from Device.”
Remember, once you’ve permanently deleted photos, they cannot be easily recovered. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that you have backups of your important images to avoid data loss.