Accidentally deleting photos can feel stressful — especially if they contain important memories. The good news is that Google Photos gives you multiple ways to recover deleted images, depending on when and how they were removed.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

• Where deleted photos go

• How long does Google keep deleted photos

• How to recover photos from Trash (Android, iPhone, Desktop)

• What to do if Tthe trashis empty

• How to recover permanently deleted photos

• Tips to prevent photo loss in the future

Let’s walk through everything step by step.

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Where Do Deleted Photos Go in Google Photos?

When you delete a photo in Google Photos:

• It moves to the Trash (also called Bin)

• It stays there for 30 days (if not backed up)

• It stays for up to 60 days (if backed up)

During this period, you can restore it easily.

After that, it may be permanently deleted.

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Method 1: Recover Deleted Photos from Trash (Mobile)

If you deleted the photo recently, this is the easiest method.

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On Android

Step 1: Open Google Photos

Launch the app.

Step 2: Tap “Library”

At the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Tap “Trash” (or Bin)

You’ll see deleted photos.

Step 4: Select the Photo

Press and hold to select.

Step 5: Tap “Restore”

The photo will return to:

• Your main gallery

• Original album (if it was in one)

Done.

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On iPhone

Steps are almost the same:

1. Open Google Photos

2. Tap Library

3. Tap Trash

4. Select photo

5. Tap Restore

Your photo is recovered.

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Method 2: Recover Deleted Photos from Desktop

If you’re using a computer:

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Step 1: Go to photos.google.com

Sign in to your account.

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Step 2: Click “Trash”

You’ll find it in the left-side menu.

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Step 3: Select the Photo

Click the checkmark.

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Step 4: Click “Restore”

Top-right corner.

The photo returns to your main library.

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What If Trash Is Empty?

If you cannot find the photo in Trash, consider these possibilities:

• It was deleted more than 60 days ago

• Trash was manually emptied

• It was never backed up

• It was permanently deleted

Let’s see what you can do.

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Method 3: Check Other Google Accounts

Sometimes photos were backed up using a different account.

Check:

• Work Gmail

• Old Gmail

• Secondary account

Switch accounts in Google Photos and check Trash.

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Method 4: Check Device Gallery (If Not Backed Up)

If backup was off:

• The photo might still be in your phone’s Gallery app

• Check the “Recently Deleted” folder on your device

On Android:
Gallery → Recently Deleted

On iPhone:
Photos app → Recently Deleted

You may restore it from there.

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Method 5: Check Shared Albums

If you shared the photo earlier:

• Open Shared albums

• Check if someone else still has the image

• Download it again

This works if the photo was shared before deletion.

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Can You Recover Permanently Deleted Photos?

If:

• More than 60 days passed

• Trash was emptied

• No backup exists

Recovery becomes difficult.

However, you can try:

Contact Google Support (Limited Success)

Sometimes, recently deleted photos may be recoverable if:

• Deleted very recently

• Account activity is low

But success is not guaranteed.

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Important: Difference Between Device Deletion and Cloud Deletion

If you:

Delete photo from Google Photos → It deletes from cloud AND synced devices.

If you:
Delete from phone gallery (without backup on) → It may not affect Google Photos.

Understanding this helps avoid confusion.

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How Long Does Google Keep Deleted Photos?

• Backed up photos → 60 days in Trash

• Not backed up → 30 days

• After that → Permanently removed

After permanent deletion, Google usually cannot recover them.

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How to Prevent Losing Photos Again

To avoid future loss:

1. Turn On Backup

Google Photos → Profile → Turn on Backup

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2. Enable 2-Step Verification

Protect your account from hacking.

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3. Don’t Empty Trash Immediately

Wait a few days before clearing.

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4. Download Important Photos

Keep local copies of very important files.

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5. Use Google Takeout for Backup

You can download all your Google Photos as a backup archive.

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Common Problems and Fixes

Photo Not Showing After Restore

Fix:

• Refresh app

• Clear cache

• Checkthe  internet connection

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Restored Photo Missing from Album

Fix:

• It returns to the main gallery

• You may need to manually add it back to the album

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Can’t Find Trash Folder

Fix:

• Update Google Photos

• Make sure you’re signed in

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What Happens After You Restore a Photo?

When restored:

• It returns to the original date

• It reappears in albums

• It syncs across devices

It’s like it was never deleted.

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Quick Summary

To recover deleted photos in Google Photos:

On Mobile:
Library → Trash → Select → Restore

On Desktop:
Trash → Select → Restore

If not found:

• Check other accounts

• Check the phone’s Recently Deleted

• Check shared albums

Remember:
Photos stay in Trash for up to 60 days.

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Final Thoughts

Losing photos can feel upsetting, but Google Photos makes recovery simple if you act within the allowed time. Always check the Trash folder first — most deleted photos can be restored in seconds.

To stay safe in the future, keep backup turned on and avoid emptying Trash immediately.

Now that you know how to recover deleted photos in Google Photos, you can quickly restore your important memories whenever needed.