Accidentally Deleted Photos From Google Photos? Don’t Panic! Here’s How To Get Them Back
Losing precious memories stored in your Google Photos library can be a heart-wrenching experience. But before you despair, take a deep breath! Google Photos offers a safety net called the Trash folder, designed to keep your deleted photos and videos safe for a specific period. This article will guide you through the process of recovering those accidentally deleted photos and videos from the Google Photos Trash folder, explaining how to retrieve them and what situations might prevent recovery.
Understanding Google Photos’ Trash Folder
The Trash folder operates as a temporary holding area for your deleted content, giving you some breathing room before it’s gone forever. Here’s how it works:
- 60-Day Holding Period: When you delete a photo or video from Google Photos, it’s moved to the Trash folder and remains there for 60 days.
- Recovery Window: During these 60 days, you can retrieve your deleted content from the Trash folder, effectively restoring it to its original location in your Google Photos library.
- Permanent Deletion: After the 60-day period, items in the Trash folder are permanently deleted from Google Photos.
Important Notes:
- Back Up and Sync is Key: For this recovery process to work, the Back Up and Sync feature in Google Photos must be enabled. This ensures that your photos and videos are regularly backed up to Google’s servers.
- Android 11 and Later: On devices running Android 11 or later, the Trash folder retention period is reduced to 30 days for photos and videos that weren’t backed up.
- Permanent Deletion Scenarios: There are several scenarios where recovery is impossible:
- Emptying the Trash Folder: If you’ve emptied the Trash folder, the data is gone for good.
- Over 60 Days in Trash: Items remaining in the Trash for over 60 days (or 30 days on Android 11 and later for non-backed up content) are permanently deleted.
- Permanently Deleted from Gallery: If you permanently deleted the photo or video from your device’s Gallery app without backing it up first, it won’t be available for recovery in Google Photos.
Steps to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos From Google Photos
If you’ve accidentally deleted a photo or video and haven’t permanently deleted it from the Trash folder, recovering them is straightforward. Follow these steps:
Using an Android Phone, Android Tablet, iPhone, or iPad:
- Open the Google Photos App: Launch the Google Photos app on your device.
- Go to Library: Tap on the Library tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Access the Trash Folder: Select the Trash folder from the list.
- Locate the Deleted Items: Browse through the Trash folder until you find the photo(s) or video(s) you want to restore.
- Restore the Content:
- Touch and Hold: Touch and hold the photo or video you want to recover.
- Select Restore: Tap on the "Restore" option at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirmation: The photo or video will be moved back to your phone’s Gallery app, your Google Photos library, and any albums it was originally in.
Using a Web Browser:
- Access Google Photos Website: Visit the Google Photos website: https://photos.google.com/.
- Log In: Log in to your Google account.
- Locate the Trash Folder: On the left side of the window, click on the Trash folder.
- Select Deleted Items: Place your cursor over the photo or video you wish to restore and click on Select.
- Restore Content: Click on the Restore button located at the top right of the window.
- Confirmation: The chosen photo or video will be restored to your Google Photos account and will be added back to any albums it was previously part of.
Taking Proactive Steps to Prevent Accidental Deletion
While the Trash folder offers a safety net, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk of losing precious photos and videos:
- Enable Back Up and Sync: Ensure that the Back Up and Sync feature is activated in Google Photos. This will automatically back up your photos and videos to Google’s servers, safeguarding them even if your device is lost, damaged, or stolen.
- Use Google Photos’ Archive Feature: If you have photos or videos that you don’t frequently access, consider archiving them. Archiving hides items from your main view, allowing you to declutter your library while still maintaining access to them.
- Download Your Photos and Videos: As an extra layer of protection, consider regularly downloading your photos and videos from Google Photos to your device’s storage, a local hard drive, or an external storage device. This creates a backup that is independent of Google Photos.
Additional Tips for Managing Your Google Photos Library
- Organize Your Photos: Google Photos offers robust organizing tools. Use features like albums, folders, and facial recognition to create a structured and easily navigable library.
- Use Google Photos’ Search Feature: Utilize Google Photos’ powerful search engine to quickly find specific photos and videos based on keywords, dates, locations, and even objects within the images.
- Share Photos and Videos: Share your memories with friends and family by creating shared albums.
- Create Stories: Use Google Photos’ Story feature to assemble a collection of photos and videos, adding text, music, and effects to create a compelling narrative.
Conclusion
Losing your memories stored in Google Photos can be distressing, but the Trash folder acts as a valuable safety net. By understanding how it works and following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily recover those deleted photos and videos. Remember to take proactive steps to protect your digital memories, like enabling Back Up and Sync and regularly downloading your photos and videos. With a little effort, you can ensure your precious moments are safe and readily accessible for years to come!
