How do i restore deleted photos​ 2025

​Photos capture our most cherished memories, moments of joy, and important milestones. Whether it’s a picture from a family gathering, a vacation snapshot, or a crucial work-related image, losing a photo can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, in most cases, deleted photos can be recovered. Whether the images were lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, or device malfunction, several methods can help you restore them.

Section 1: Checking Recycle Bin or Trash

One of the easiest ways to recover deleted photos is by checking the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). When a file is deleted, it is usually moved to these temporary folders before being permanently erased.

Steps for Windows:

Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking on its icon.

Look for the deleted photos using the search bar.

Right-click on the selected photo and choose “Restore.”

The photo will be restored to its original location.

Steps for Mac:

Open the Trash by clicking its icon in the Dock.

Locate the deleted photo.

Drag the photo back to the desired folder or right-click and select “Put Back.”

If the photos are not found in the Recycle Bin or Trash, they may have been permanently deleted, requiring more advanced recovery methods.

Section 2: Restoring Photos from Cloud Storage

Many modern devices automatically sync photos to cloud storage services like Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive. These platforms often have a “Recently Deleted” folder where images remain for a certain period before permanent deletion.

Recovering from Google Photos:

Open Google Photos on your device or browser.

Navigate to the “Trash” folder.

Select the deleted photos.

Click “Restore” to return them to your main library.

Recovering from iCloud:

Visit iCloud.com and log in.

Go to “Photos” and select “Recently Deleted.”

Choose the photos you wish to restore and click “Recover.”

Recovering from OneDrive or Dropbox:

Open the respective cloud storage app.

Locate the “Deleted” or “Trash” folder.

Restore the desired photos.

Section 3: Using Backup Files

If you regularly back up your data, you can restore deleted photos from a previous backup. This method works best for users who use external hard drives, SD cards, or backup software.

Restoring from Windows Backup:

Go to the “Control Panel” and open “Backup and Restore.”

Select “Restore My Files.”

Choose the backup that contains your deleted photos.

Restore them to their original location.

Restoring from macOS Time Machine:

Connect your Time Machine backup drive.

Open the folder where the photos were stored.

Click on the Time Machine icon and navigate through previous backups.

Select the photos and click “Restore.”

Section 4: Recovering Photos from Smartphones

Recovering on Android:

Check the “Google Photos” or “Gallery Trash.”

If unavailable, use data recovery apps such as DiskDigger or Dr.Fone.

Connect the device to a computer and use data recovery software to scan for deleted files.

Recovering on iPhone:

Open the “Photos” app and go to “Recently Deleted.”

Select the photos and tap “Recover.”

If permanently deleted, restore from an iCloud or iTunes backup.

Section 5: Using Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is an advanced data recovery tool that helps users restore deleted photos from various storage devices, including hard drives, SD cards, and USB drives. Whether your photos were lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, or corruption, Panda Assistant offers a user-friendly and efficient solution.

Steps to Restore Deleted Photos with Panda Assistant:

Download and Install: Visit the official Panda Assistant website and install the software on your computer.

Select the Storage Device: Open the software and choose the location where the photos were deleted, such as an external drive, memory card, or internal storage.

Start a Deep Scan: Run a deep scan to detect lost or deleted images. The process may take a few minutes, depending on the storage size.

Preview and Recover: Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable photos and select the ones you want to restore.

Save to a Secure Location: Store the recovered photos in a different drive or storage device to prevent overwriting existing data.

Panda Assistant supports multiple image formats, including JPEG, PNG, and RAW files, ensuring maximum compatibility. With its intuitive interface and powerful recovery algorithms, Panda Assistant simplifies the photo restoration process, making it an excellent choice for both casual users and professionals.

Section 6: Recovering from External Storage Devices

If your photos were stored on an SD card, USB drive, or external hard drive, follow these steps:

Stop using the device immediately to prevent data overwriting.

Connect the device to a computer.

Use recovery software like PhotoRec or Stellar Data Recovery to scan the drive.

Restore and save the recovered images to a different storage location.

Section 7: Seeking Professional Help

If DIY methods fail, data recovery specialists can help recover lost photos from damaged or corrupted storage devices. Professional recovery services can be expensive, but they offer a higher success rate.

Notable Data Recovery Services:

DriveSavers (Best for physically damaged drives)

Ontrack Data Recovery (Offers remote and in-lab recovery options)

CleverFiles Disk Drill Services (Specializes in various storage media)

Section 8: Preventive Measures for the Future

To avoid future data loss, consider these best practices:

Enable automatic cloud backups.

Regularly back up photos to an external drive.

Use reliable antivirus software to prevent malware attacks.

Avoid using the same storage device once data loss occurs to prevent overwriting.

Organize and categorize photos to ensure easy retrieval.

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