How do I recover deleted photos from an iPhone?
Answer
Check Recently Deleted in Photos first, then iCloud.com; only restore a full backup if the photos are not in those places, because a full restore can erase newer items.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Restoring an older backup can permanently remove photos, messages, and apps created after that backup date.
- Do not share your Apple ID password or recovery codes with anyone offering to recover photos for a fee.
Follow these steps
Check Recently Deleted on the iPhone
Open Photos > Albums > Recently Deleted, select the missing pictures, and tap Recover if they are still listed.
You should see: The photos return to the library, or Recently Deleted does not contain them.
Check iCloud Photos on the web
On a computer, sign into iCloud.com with the same Apple ID, open Photos, and look for the pictures or a Recently Deleted album there.
You should see: Photos are recovered from iCloud, or they are also missing online.
Review iCloud Backup dates before restoring
On the iPhone go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and note the latest backup date. Only consider restore if that backup is from before the deletion.
You should see: You know whether a backup is recent enough to contain the photos.
Avoid an unnecessary full erase
If Recently Deleted or iCloud still has the photos, recover them there instead of erasing the iPhone. If you must restore, back up today’s important data elsewhere first.
You should see: You choose the least destructive recovery path.
Restore from backup only as a last step
If needed, use a computer backup or erase-and-restore from the backup dated before the deletion, accepting that newer photos and apps after that date may be lost.
You should see: The older photos return, or you decide the tradeoff is not worth it.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Albums named Recently Deleted, photos still present at iCloud.com, and an iCloud or computer backup dated before the deletion.
Before you change anything: Stop taking steps that free storage by permanently erasing Recently Deleted items. Check the date of any backup before restoring. Prefer recovering individual photos over erasing the whole iPhone. Sign into the same Apple ID that owned the photos.