How to Recover Deleted Photos in Google Photos

Deleted a photo in Google Photos by mistake? It usually isn’t gone yet. Deleted items wait in the trash for a while, and photos that only seem to be missing are often in the archive or a different account. Here’s where to look, in order.

Step 1: Act within 30 days

Google says photos and videos in the trash are permanently deleted after 30 days. You can restore an item only if all of these are true:

• It was moved to the trash less than 30 days ago.
• The trash hasn’t been emptied since.
• It wasn’t deleted permanently from the trash.

So if you’ve just deleted something important, restore it now rather than later.

Step 2: Restore from the trash on Android

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. At the bottom, tap Collections, then Trash. (In some regions it’s called Bin.)
3. Touch and hold the photo or video.
4. At the bottom, tap Restore.

The item goes back to your Google Photos library, to any albums it was in, and to your phone’s gallery app.

Step 3: Restore from the trash on a computer

1. Go to photos.google.com and sign in.
2. On the left, click Trash.
3. Hold the pointer over the photo or video and click the Select check mark. Select any others you want back.
4. At the top right, click Restore, then confirm with Restore.

This works for any photo that was backed up to your Google Account, whichever phone it came from.

Step 4: Not in the trash? Check the archive

Archived photos are hidden from your main photo view, which can make them look deleted. To check:

• On a computer, go to photos.google.com/archive, or click Archive in the menu on the left.
• Open the photo and unarchive it if you want it back in your main view.

Archived items still appear in albums, search results and device folders, so a quick search can also find them.

Step 5: Make sure you’re in the right account

Google notes that photos can seem to disappear because you’re signed in to a different Google Account. If you have more than one account, such as a personal and a work account, switch to the other account in the app or on photos.google.com, then check its library and trash too.

Step 6: Search for the photo

A photo may simply be filed under a date you didn’t expect. Google suggests:

• On a computer, open Recently Added (photos.google.com/search/tra) to see what was uploaded lately.
• Use Search at the top with words that describe the photo, such as a place, a person or “beach”.
• Remember that photos taken before 4 AM are sorted into the previous day.
• If you use a Locked Folder, look there too.

Photos saved by other apps, such as messaging or social apps, may sit in device folders on the phone. On Android, tap Collections, then On this device, and open the app’s folder.

Step 7: Check that backup was on

If a photo was never backed up, it was only on your phone. If it was deleted there before it was uploaded, Google Photos never had a copy to restore. Check your backup settings so it doesn’t happen again:

1. In the Google Photos app, tap your profile photo or initial at the top.
2. Tap Photos settings, then Back up.
3. Make sure Back up is turned on and that Backup account shows the account you expect.
4. Check Back up device folders if you want photos from other apps included.

Google also notes that deleting a photo with another gallery or file app can remove it from your phone before it’s backed up.

What can’t be recovered

Some things can’t be undone, according to Google:

• Photos and videos you deleted permanently from the trash, or that were in the trash when you emptied it.
• Items that stayed in the trash for more than 30 days.
• Permanently deleted items can’t be brought back with Google Takeout either.

Google also says that if you’re inactive in Google Photos for two years or more, your content may be deleted.

Avoid losing photos next time

• Keep backup turned on in Google Photos.
• If you see a Delete permanently prompt when you delete something, your trash may be full. Google suggests emptying old items from the trash first, so new deletions can still be restored.
• Before you delete photos to free up space, make sure they’ve finished backing up.

Related guides

If you’re deleting photos because your account is full, our guide to freeing up Google storage shows safer ways to make room. You can also back up your Android phone so photos, contacts and settings are covered, or free up storage on Android once your photos are safely backed up.

The bottom line

Deleted photos stay in the Google Photos trash for 30 days, and you can restore them from Collections › Trash on Android or Trash on photos.google.com. If a photo isn’t there, check the archive, your other accounts and search before giving up. Keep backup on so the next mistake is easy to fix.