How to Recover Deleted Photos on Samsung Galaxy Phones

Accidentally deleting a cherished photo from your Samsung Galaxy phone can be upsetting, but don’t worry, there are multiple ways to recover them. Below is a comprehensive guide to retrieving your deleted photos using built-in features, cloud services, and advanced techniques. Follow these methods step-by-step to maximize your chances of success.

Method 1: Check the Trash or Recycle Bin in the Gallery App

Deleted photos on Samsung Galaxy phones are typically moved to the Trash or Recycle Bin in the Gallery app, where they stay for up to 30 days before being permanently erased.

Steps:
1. Open the Gallery app on your phone.
2. Tap the Menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Trash or Recycle Bin.
4. Browse or search for the photo you want to recover.
5. Tap and hold the photo to select it.
6. Tap Restore to return it to its original album.
Note: If the photo isn’t there, it may have been deleted over 30 days ago or permanently removed. Try the next methods.

Method 2: Restore from Samsung Cloud

If you’ve enabled Auto Sync with Samsung Cloud, your photos may be backed up and recoverable from the cloud. Deleted photos remain in Samsung Cloud’s Trash for 15 days.

Steps:
1. Go to Settings on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
2. Tap Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud.
3. Select Gallery to view backed-up photos.
4. Choose the photos you want to recover.
5. Tap Restore to download them back to your device.
Note: This works only if Auto Sync was active before the deletion.

Method 3: Restore from Google Photos

If you use Google Photos with backup enabled, deleted photos stay in the app’s Trash for up to 60 days.

Steps:
1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap Library at the bottom.
3. Select Trash.
4. Find and select the photo you want.
5. Tap Restore to move it back to your gallery.
Note: This method requires prior backup to Google Photos.

Method 4: Use Samsung’s My Files App

The My Files app has a Trash folder that stores deleted files, including photos, for 30 days.

Steps:
1. Open the My Files app.
2. Scroll to Utilities and tap Trash.
3. Browse and select the photos you want to recover.
4. Tap Restore to retrieve them.
Note: Useful for photos deleted from internal storage or an SD card.

Method 5: Restore from an SD Card Using a Computer

If your photos were on an SD card, you can use a computer and data recovery software to retrieve them.

Steps:
1. Remove the SD card from your phone.
2. Insert it into a card reader connected to your computer.
3. Download a recovery tool like Disk Drill or Recuva.
4. Open the software and select the SD card as the target.
5. Scan for deleted files and preview recoverable photos.
6. Save the selected photos to your computer.
Note: Stop using the SD card immediately after deletion to avoid overwriting data.

Method 6: Use Third-Party Recovery Software for Internal Storage

For photos stored in your phone’s internal memory, third-party software can help, though it might require rooting your device.

Steps:
1. Install software like Dr.Fone or DiskDigger on your computer.
2. Connect your Samsung Galaxy phone via USB.
3. Enable USB debugging (Settings > Developer options > USB debugging).
4. Follow the software’s instructions to scan internal storage.
5. Preview and select photos to recover.
6. Save them to your computer or phone.
Note: Rooting may void your warranty and carries risks, proceed carefully.

Method 7: Restore from Google Drive or OneDrive

If you’ve backed up photos to Google Drive or OneDrive, you can recover them from these cloud services.

Google Drive Steps:
1. Open the Google Drive app.
2. Tap the Menu icon and select Backups.
3. Choose the backup with your photos.
4. Tap Restore to retrieve them.
OneDrive Steps:
1. Open the OneDrive app.
2. Tap Photos at the bottom.
3. Select the photos you want.
4. Tap the three dots and choose Save to download them.
Note: This works only if you previously backed up to these services.

Method 8: Use Professional Data Recovery Services

If all methods fail, professional data recovery services can attempt to retrieve your photos, though this is expensive.

Steps:
1. Find a reputable data recovery service.
2. Contact them and describe your issue.
3. Follow their instructions to send your phone or SD card.
4. Await recovery and data return.
Note: Use this as a last resort due to cost and potential risks.

Tips for Success

Act quickly after deletion to avoid data being overwritten.
Reduce phone usage until recovery is complete.
Try each method in order until you succeed.

With these steps, you should be able to recover your deleted photos from your Samsung Galaxy phone. Good luck!