Uncovering the Mystery: Where Do Deleted Photos Go?

Have you ever accidentally deleted a precious photo from your phone or computer? Or perhaps intentionally cleared out storage by getting rid of old pictures? It’s a common occurrence in the digital age, where we have thousands of photos at our fingertips. But have you ever wondered where those deleted photos actually go? Many people believe that once a photo is deleted, it is gone forever. However, there is a common misconception about permanently deleted photos and where they actually end up. In this chapter, we will delve into the truth behind this misconception and uncover where those seemingly lost photos go.

Common Misconception about Permanently Deleted Photos and Where They Actually Go

When it comes to permanently deleted photos on our electronic devices, there is a common misconception that once they are gone, they are gone forever. However, this is not entirely true. While it may seem like your precious memories are lost forever, there is still a chance for recovery. In this chapter, we will explore the truth about where deleted photos actually go and how you can potentially retrieve them back.

The Truth About Permanently Deleted Photos on Windows 

When you delete a photo from your Windows device, it is typically moved to the “Recently Deleted” folder or similar location. This folder acts as a temporary holding area for deleted photos, allowing you to recover them if necessary.

However, if you use the Shift + Del shortcut or empty the recycle bin after deleting the photo, it is considered a permanent deletion. This means that the photo will not be moved to the “Recently Deleted” folder and is instead permanently deleted from your device’s storage. It is important to note that permanently deleted photos cannot be recovered from the “Recently Deleted” folder and may require specialized software or services to recover. Additionally, even if they are deleted from your device’s storage, they may still exist in other locations such as cloud servers or forensic software.

The blue blocks are the deleted data, they still exists somewhere in your hard drive.

The Truth About Permanently Deleted Photos on Android

On Android devices, photos are stored in a temporary folder called the cache. When you delete a photo, it is removed from the main folder and moved to the cache. This allows for easier and faster access to the photo if you decide to restore it. However, if you clear your cache or the cache gets full, the photos will be permanently deleted.

The Truth About Permanently Deleted Photos on iPhone

On iPhones, photos are also moved to a temporary folder called Recently Deleted after deletion. This folder keeps the photos for 30 days before permanently deleting them. This gives you a chance to restore the photos within that time frame. After 30 days, the photos are completely removed from your device.

For more information on how to recover deleted photos on specific devices and the options available, please refer to the following chapters about “Explanation of where deleted photos go on Windows 10/11 and the options for recovering them.

Type 1 : Where Do Deleted Photos Go on Windows 10/11?

The thought of permanently losing precious photos can be a nightmare for anyone. Fortunately, with advancements in technology, deleted photos can still be recovered if the right actions are taken at the right time. But where do these deleted photos actually go on Windows 10/11? Let’s find out.

Method 1: Using Renee Undeleter

If you have accidentally deleted photos on Windows 10/11, the best and easiest way to recover them is by using data recovery software. One such reliable tool is Renee Undeleter.

Step 1: Download, install and run Renee Undeleter on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Select the [File Recovery] option in the main interface.

Please avoid installing the software on the disk containing the data to be recovered in order to prevent data overwriting. Also, refrain from saving new data to the same disk partition after a file is lost to avoid further damage or complete loss of the lost file.

Step 3: Next, select the partition where the lost data is located, and click [Next].

Step 4: Select the [Quick Scan] option and click the [Next] button to scan.

The [Quick Scan] mode scans the initial 30GB of available space on the chosen disk. If desired files are not found, the [Deep Scan] mode can be used for a thorough scan of the hard disk partition, though it will require additional time.

Step 4: Wait for the scan to complete

you can double-click the file to preview, then check the files that need to be recovered, and click the [Recover] button to recover the files to other disks.

Method 2: Using Previous Versions

Previous Versions allows you to restore previous versions of files and folders on Windows 10/11. However, this method is only applicable for specific files and folders, and it is advisable to use it as soon as possible after deleting the photos.

Step 1: Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the deleted photo was located.

Step 2: Right-click on the folder and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: In the Properties window, click on the “Previous Versions” tab.

Step 4: If available, you will see a list of previous versions of the folder with their timestamp and size. Select the version you want to restore and click on the “Open” button.

This will open a window showing the contents of the selected version. From here, you can copy and paste the deleted photos to a new location on your device.

After the process is complete, you should be able to find your deleted photos in their original location.

If you have disabled System Protection or if your device ran out of disk space, there may be no available backups to recover from.

The advantage of using data recovery software is that it can recover permanently deleted photos from various storage devices, including computers, removable drives, and more. However, the disadvantage is that if new data is written over the deleted photos, it becomes difficult to recover them. Therefore, it is essential to stop using the storage space where the deleted photos were stored, to increase the chances of successful recovery.

To learn more about methods for finding permanently deleted photos on Mac, refer to the subsequent chapters about “Methods for Finding Permanently Deleted Photos on Mac.”

Type 2 : Finding permanently deleted photos on Mac

When you accidentally delete photos on your Mac, you may panic and wonder where they go and if you can recover them. Fortunately, there are options for finding and restoring permanently deleted photos on Mac.

Method 1: Using Time Machine

If you have enabled Time Machine on your Mac, you can easily find and restore deleted photos from a previous backup. Time Machine is a built-in feature on Mac that automatically backs up your files, including photos, to an external hard drive.

To use Time Machine to recover deleted photos, connect the external hard drive and follow these steps:

- Open the Finder and navigate to the folder where the photos were stored.

- Click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select “Enter Time Machine“.

- Use the timeline on the right side to go back to a date when the photos were still available.

- Select the photos you want to restore and click on the “Restore” button.

Method 2: Using Data Recovery software

If you do not have a Time Machine backup, you can still recover permanently deleted photos with the help of data recovery software. One of the most reliable tools for this task is Renee Undeleter.

In summary, when you accidentally delete photos on your Mac, you can use Time Machine or data recovery software to find and restore them. Time Machine is the easier and more reliable option, but it requires a previous backup. Data recovery software may come in handy when Time Machine is not available, but it may require some technical knowledge and comes at a cost.

To learn more about recovering permanently deleted photos, you can check out the subsequent chapters about steps to recover photos on iPhone or iPad without backup, using data recovery software or iCloud Photos/Google Photos.

Type 3 : Recover Permanently Deleted Photos on iPhone or iPad Without Backup

Losing precious photos on your iPhone or iPad can be a nightmare, especially if you don’t have a backup of those photos. But fear not, as there are ways to recover those permanently deleted photos without a backup. In this chapter, we will discuss two different methods for recovering permanently deleted photos on iPhone or iPad without a backup.

Method 1: Using Data Recovery Software

If you have permanently deleted your photos from your iPhone or iPad and do not have a backup, you can still recover them using data recovery software. This method involves using third-party software to scan your device and retrieve the deleted photos. Follow the steps below to recover deleted photos using data recovery software:

Step 1: Download and install a reliable data recovery software on your computer. There are many options available, such as Renee iPhone Recovery, EaseUS MobiSaver, Dr. Fone, and iMyFone D-Back, among others.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a USB cable.
Step 3: Launch the data recovery software and select the option to recover deleted data from iOS devices.
Step 4: The software will scan your device for any deleted files, including photos.
Step 5: Once the scan is complete, you will be able to preview the deleted photos. Select the ones you want to recover and click on the “Recover” button.
Step 6: The software will prompt you to choose a destination to save the recovered photos. Select a location on your computer and click “Recover” to save the photos.

Method 2: Using iCloud Photos or Google Photos

If you have enabled iCloud Photos or Google Photos on your iPhone or iPad, there is a chance that your deleted photos may still be stored in the cloud. Follow the steps below to check if your photos are still available:

Step 1: Open the iCloud Photos or Google Photos app on your device.
Step 2: If you’re using iCloud Photos, go to the “Recently Deleted” folder. If you’re using Google Photos, go to the “Trash” folder.
Step 3: If your deleted photos are found in the folder, select the ones you want to recover and click on the “Recover” button.
Step 4: The photos will be restored to your device and saved in your Camera Roll or Gallery.

It’s important to note that iCloud Photos and Google Photos only keep deleted photos for a limited period of time. In case you have exceeded the time limit, these methods will not work.

Summary: While it is always recommended to regularly backup your device to avoid any data loss, there are still ways to recover permanently deleted photos on your iPhone or iPad without a backup. This chapter discussed two different methods for recovering deleted photos using data recovery software and utilizing iCloud Photos or Google Photos. However, it’s always best to have a backup of your important data to avoid such situations in the future.

If you’re an Android user and want to learn how to recover permanently deleted photos from your Android gallery, keep reading our next chapter where we will discuss two different options for recovering deleted photos on Android devices.

Recovering Permanently Deleted Photos From Android Gallery

As a writer, it can be devastating to accidentally delete important photos from your Android device. Fortunately, there are ways to recover these photos, even if you have permanently deleted them. In this chapter, we will discuss two options for recovering permanently deleted photos from your Android gallery: using a data recovery app and using Google Photos or Samsung Cloud.

Option 1: Using a Data Recovery App

If you have permanently deleted photos from your Android device, your best option for recovering them is by using a data recovery app. One of the most popular and reliable data recovery apps for Android is EaseUS MobiSaver. Follow these steps to recover your permanently deleted photos using this app:

Step 1: Install and run EaseUS MobiSaver for Android and connect your device to your computer with a USB cable.
Step 2: After your device is connected, the app will scan it to find all existing and lost data. You can easily find the photos you want to recover by choosing the correct file types.
Step 3: Preview all found photos and select the ones you want to restore. Then click the “Recover” button to restore the selected data to your computer.

Once the photos are restored to your computer, you can transfer them back to your Android device and continue using them.

Option 2: Using Google Photos or Samsung Cloud

If you have a Google account, you may have your photos backed up to Google Photos. Similarly, Samsung users may have their photos backed up to Samsung Cloud. If your permanently deleted photos were backed up to one of these cloud services, you can easily recover them. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Google Photos or Samsung Cloud app on your device.
Step 2: Look for the “Trash” or “Deleted Items” folder. Your permanently deleted photos may still be stored here.
Step 3: Select the photos you want to recover and choose the option to restore them to your device.

If your photos are not found in the trash or deleted items folder, it is likely that they were permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through these cloud services.

It is important to note that for both options, your device needs to be rooted in order for the data recovery app or cloud service to access the deleted photos. Additionally, make sure to act quickly and stop using your device to avoid overwriting the storage space with new files, which can make photo recovery more difficult.

Summary: Permanently deleted photos on Android can be recovered through data recovery apps like Renee Android Recovery, EaseUS MobiSaver or through cloud services like Google Photos or Samsung Cloud. However, rooting your device and acting quickly are crucial for successful recovery.

Next, we will address the frequently asked question of whether permanently deleted photos are really gone forever, so be sure to continue reading our next chapter.

Tips for Preventing Accidental Permanent Deletion of Photos on Different Devices

Photos are memories that we want to cherish forever, but sometimes, we accidentally delete them. Fortunately, with the advancement of technology, deleted photos can often be recovered. However, prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to help you prevent the accidental permanent deletion of photos on different devices.

Regularly Backing Up Photos

One of the best ways to prevent the permanent deletion of photos is to regularly back them up. This means transferring them to another storage location, such as an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a computer. By doing this, you always have a copy of your photos in case they get accidentally deleted. You can also use backup software to automatically backup your photos on a schedule.

Enabling Cloud Backup and Restore Options

In addition to regularly backing up your photos, you can also enable cloud backup and restore options. Many devices, such as smartphones and computers, have built-in cloud services that allow you to store your photos in the cloud. This means that even if you accidentally delete your photos, you can easily restore them from the cloud. Just make sure to regularly sync your devices with the cloud to ensure all your photos are backed up.

The advantage of regularly backing up your photos and enabling cloud backup and restore options is that you always have a backup in case your photos get deleted. On the other hand, using data recovery software can be a last resort if you don’t have a backup. However, the disadvantage is that there is no guarantee that all deleted photos can be recovered, and the process can be time-consuming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mystery of where deleted photos go has been explained. It is a common misconception that permanently deleted photos are gone forever, but in reality, they can be recovered with the right methods and tools. On Windows 10/11, we have discussed three different methods for recovering deleted photos including using data recovery software, file history, and previous versions. Mac users can turn to Time Machine or data recovery software for retrieving deleted photos. For iPhone/iPad and Android users, there are also options such as data recovery software and cloud backup tools like iCloud Photos or Google Photos. It is important to note that preventing accidental permanent deletion of photos is key, and regular backups, enabling cloud backup options, and using reputable data recovery software are some tips to keep in mind. Remember, just because a photo is deleted, doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. With the right knowledge and tools, lost photos can be recovered and cherished memories can be preserved.