The Recently Deleted folder on an iPhone is a temporary location for deleted data, such as photos, videos, or other files. It allows users to recover any accidentally deleted files. This folder keeps the deleted files for 30 days, after which they are permanently deleted. You can find this folder within apps like Photos and Notes, etc.
Losing images from an iPhone, whether due to accidental deletion, device malfunction, software issues, or any other reasons can be frustrating. But it gets worse when you lose them from the “Recently Deleted” folder. Fortunately, there are ways to recover deleted photos on iPhone when you delete them from the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder.
In this blog, we have shared some quick methods for recovering permanently deleted photos from iPhone. So, let's get started!
Can You Recover Photos Deleted From the Recently Deleted Folder?
You can recover deleted photos from your iPhone after deleting them from the Recently Deleted folder using iCloud and iTunes backups. However, Apple backups have their disadvantage. Photo recovery with iCloud and iTunes results in losing your existing data on your iPhone!
How to Recover Deleted Photos from iPhone?
There are four best solutions to recover deleted photos on iPhone after deleting them from the Recently Deleted folder: iCloud, iTunes, and other cloud backup services, as well as professional iPhone data recovery software. Use the solution that fits your needs and helps you retrieve lost photos from your iPhone.
1. Recover Permanently Deleted Photos on iPhone from iCloud
Apple iCloud automatically syncs all your iPhone photos and videos if you have enabled iCloud Photos. You can use iCloud.com to recover deleted photos after deleting them from your iPhone's 'Recently Deleted' folder.
Here’s how to recover permanently deleted photos from iPhone using iCloud.com
- Visit the iCloud website and then log in to your Apple account using your Apple ID and password.
- Once you are logged in, click on 'Photos'.
- Click Recently Deleted Album at the left sidebar, select the photos you wish to restore, and click Recover.
3. Retrieve Deleted Photos on iPhone from iTunes
iTunes is another good way to retrieve permanently deleted photos from iPhone for free. However, iTunes doesn’t allow selective recovery of deleted photos from the backup. This means you have to erase all existing data on your iPhone and replace the current device data with the previous iTunes backup. Here’s how to do it:
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First, connect your iPhone to your Mac with macOS Mojave or an earlier operating system version.
- On the iTunes window, click the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner.
- Next, click Summary in the left pane.
- Click the Restore Backup option in the Backup section.
- Now, select the backup containing the lost photos, and click Restore. Wait for the restore process to be completed.
- Restoring data from an iTunes backup will erase all current data on your iPhone. Be sure to back up your current data separately before proceeding.
- This method only works if the photos were included in a backup made before they were deleted.
3. Recover Recently Deleted Photos with iPhone recovery software [Recommended]
Sometimes, the manual methods mentioned above to recover deleted photos on iPhone don't work. Some of you may not have photos backed up in iCloud or iTunes, or iCloud Photos is not enabled on your iPhone. In such a case, use iPhone data recovery software to restore pictures after they are deleted from the Recently Deleted folder on the iPhone.
This software efficiently recovers deleted photos, videos and other data from iPhone, iPad, iTunes, and iCloud backup files. The software supports recovery from all data loss scenarios like accidental deletion, failed iOS update, iPhone stuck in recovery mode, etc. This iPhone data recovery software is compatible with all variants of iPad and iPhone, including iPhone 16/15/14 and below.
Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
Download the free version from here.
Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
Download the free version from here.
Follow the steps to discover how to use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to recover deleted photos:
- Download, install, and launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your PC or Mac.
- Then, select the Camera Roll and Photo Stream and click Next.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.
- Next, select your device and click Scan.
- If your iPhone is encrypted, enter your iPhone password and click OK.
- Now, you can see the scan progress in the progress bar at the bottom.
- Once the scanning is completed, click OK in the Scan Complete dialog box. A list of recoverable data will be displayed on the left. Preview the recoverable photos and other media files.
- Select the files you want to restore, click Save, and choose the destination and any desired location to save them.
4. Recover recently deleted photos from other cloud storage
iPhone users who don't completely rely on iCloud and iTunes for backup use third-party cloud backup services, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc., to back up their device photos. Then, check these cloud services to recover your deleted pictures and restore these photos on a PC, Mac, or directly on your iPhone.
How Do I Avoid Losing Important Photos on iPhone?
Taking an iPhone backup is the best way to avoid losing photos because of accidental or intentional deletion. You can keep a copy of your iPhone data on a Cloud server or any storage media.
There are several ways to take a backup of your iPhone photos; the safest choices are iTunes and iCloud. Follow the instructions below to create a backup immediately.
Back up iPhone photos using iTunes
Follow these steps to use iTunes:
- Download and install iTunes on your Windows or Mac.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer and click Trust when the Trust/Untrust pop appears.
- Next, on the Device Summary page, click on Back Up Now.
- Wait for the process to finish. This will take a backup of your entire iPhone, including photos and videos.
Back up iPhone photos using iCloud
Follow these steps to utilize iCloud:
- Unlock your iPhone and open Settings.
- Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
- Select iCloud on the following page.
- Now, click on Photos.
- Turn on the toggle of Sync this iPhone and wait for the process to finish.
You can use this iCloud backup to restore iPhone photos when needed. To learn more, read: How to Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup?
Conclusion
An iPhone recovery software is the perfect approach to recover deleted photos from an iPhone after 30 days of deleting them from the 'Recently Deleted' folder. We recommend Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone. It is fast and can retrieve permanently deleted photos without affecting your iPhone's current data. Unlike iCloud and iTunes backup, which annoyingly replace existing data with old backup data, the software can restore only those photos you deleted.
Vishakha Singh is a Senior Writer at Stellar with half a decade of experience in writing content in diverse verticals. She loves creating photo/video recovery & repair tutorials. Vishakha also specializes in writing full-blown iPhone and Android guides.
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