How to Find a Recently Deleted Photo
Losing a recently deleted photo can be a distressing experience, especially if it holds sentimental value or important memories. Whether you accidentally deleted it from your phone, computer, or external storage device, there are several methods you can try to recover the lost photo. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to find a recently deleted photo and provide you with some helpful tips to prevent future data loss.
1. Check the Recycle Bin or Trash
The first and simplest step to find a recently deleted photo is to check the Recycle Bin or Trash on your device. When you delete a photo, it often moves to the Recycle Bin or Trash instead of being permanently deleted. Here’s how to recover a photo from these folders:
– On Windows, open the Recycle Bin and look for the deleted photo. Right-click on the photo and select “Restore” to move it back to its original location.
– On macOS, open the Trash and search for the deleted photo. Drag the photo out of the Trash and drop it onto your desktop or its original folder to restore it.
2. Use File Recovery Software
If the Recycle Bin or Trash doesn’t contain the deleted photo, you can try using file recovery software. These programs scan your device’s storage for deleted files and attempt to recover them. Here are some popular file recovery tools:
– Recuva: A free and user-friendly file recovery program for Windows and macOS.
– EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A powerful file recovery tool with a high success rate, available for Windows and macOS.
– Disk Drill: A comprehensive data recovery and disk management tool for Windows and macOS.
To use file recovery software, follow these steps:
1. Download and install the chosen file recovery program.
2. Run the program and select the storage device where the photo was deleted.
3. Start the scanning process and wait for the program to find deleted files.
4. Once the scan is complete, locate the deleted photo and select it for recovery.
5. Choose a recovery location and restore the photo to the selected folder.
3. Check Cloud Storage
If you have backed up your photos to cloud storage services like Google Photos, iCloud, or Dropbox, you might still be able to recover the deleted photo. Here’s how to check for deleted photos on these platforms:
– Google Photos: Sign in to your Google Photos account on a web browser or the mobile app. Use the search bar to look for the deleted photo or navigate through the date and album sections to find it.
– iCloud: Sign in to your iCloud account on a web browser or the iCloud app. Use the search function or browse through the albums to locate the deleted photo.
– Dropbox: Sign in to your Dropbox account on a web browser or the mobile app. Look for the deleted photo in the trash or recent deleted files section.
4. Use the Previous Versions Feature
If you have enabled the Previous Versions feature on your Windows computer, you can restore a deleted photo from a previous version of the file. Here’s how to do it:
1. Right-click on the folder where the photo was stored and select “Restore previous versions.”
2. A window will appear showing the available previous versions of the folder. Double-click on the desired version to restore the folder.
3. Inside the restored folder, you will find the deleted photo. Copy it back to its original location or save it to a new folder.
5. Prevent Future Data Loss
To avoid losing important photos in the future, consider the following tips:
– Regularly back up your photos to an external drive, cloud storage, or a dedicated photo management service.
– Use a file recovery tool to create a backup of your deleted photos in case you need to recover them later.
– Be cautious when deleting files and double-check before confirming the deletion.
– Use a file recovery software to scan your device for deleted files before formatting or selling it.
By following these steps and tips, you should be able to find a recently deleted photo and recover it successfully. Remember to act quickly, as the chances of recovery decrease as time passes.
