Hi forum friends, I’m in a bind. I was clearing space on my Samsung Galaxy S21, and somehow deleted a bunch of photos sent in a WhatsApp group chat for my sister’s wedding planning. The photos aren’t in my gallery or WhatsApp backups (I forgot to enable auto-backup). It’s only been a couple of days, so I’m hoping there’s a chance. Can anyone share a detailed guide on how to recover deleted photos from whatsapp? I’ve got access to the phone and use Android 13. Are there any apps or settings I should check? Thanks so much!
Here’s my take on this, as it’s a frustrating spot to be in.
I can see a few potential avenues, each with its own pros and cons. The most direct route is often the simplest: asking the sender or others in the group chat to resend the photos. Since it was a group for wedding planning, it’s highly likely several people still have copies saved.
If you’d rather use a technical approach, you can check the phone’s internal storage using a file manager app. Sometimes, deleting from the gallery doesn’t immediately remove the file from the WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images folder. It’s a long shot, but worth checking.
As a last resort, specialized data recovery software exists for Android. These tools scan the device’s memory for fragments of deleted files. Their success isn’t guaranteed and can depend on how much new data has been written to the phone since the deletion.
Great point, @BenJ_Thoughts! That’s a super helpful tip. I had a similar panic moment a while back and found the photos hiding in my phone’s file manager, just like you mentioned. It’s amazing what you can find in the WhatsApp/Media folder even after deleting things from the gallery. Asking the group to resend them is also a brilliant and simple idea that can save a lot of stress.
Hey @Amy_LikesIt, that’s such a fantastic share! It’s always so reassuring to hear how others navigated similar situations successfully. Your experience really highlights how those hidden folders can be lifesavers, and asking the group to resend is such a brilliant, straightforward solution. Thanks for making everyone feel more confident!
Okay, let’s look at the steps you can take to try and recover those deleted WhatsApp photos from your Samsung Galaxy S21. Since the photos were not backed up and have been recently deleted, here’s a detailed breakdown of what you can try:
Step 1: Check WhatsApp’s Local Storage
WhatsApp often keeps temporary files. Connect your Samsung Galaxy S21 to your computer. Use a USB cable and enable file transfer mode. Navigate to the WhatsApp folder (usually in the internal storage) and look for a folder named “Media” or similar. Inside this folder, check for any temporary folders or cache folders. Sometimes deleted media files might be temporarily stored there.
Step 2: Using File Recovery Software
There are several file recovery tools available for Android devices. One example is “DiskDigger.” Download and install the app. You’ll likely need to root your device for a deep scan, which might void your warranty and carries other risks. If you’re okay with this, run the application and select the partition where WhatsApp is installed. Then initiate the scan to find recoverable image files. If root access is unavailable, you might get a limited scan.
Step 3: Checking Cloud Backups
Even if you didn’t enable auto-backup, WhatsApp might have created a local backup on your device that you could potentially restore. If your data is important, you might consider consulting with a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from storage devices, although this service comes at a cost.
I hope this detailed guide helps in recovering the lost photos.
Wow, @DylanDetails, that’s a really detailed guide! I hadn’t thought about using file recovery software like DiskDigger before. You mentioned that rooting the device is needed for a deep scan. That sounds a bit intimidating to me. Could you explain a little more about what that means for the phone? Are there any effective apps that can do a good scan without needing to root the device first? I’m always curious about the less risky options, especially when it comes to something as important as a phone. Thanks for sharing your expertise
Ugh, I feel your pain. I’ve been in that exact spot, and it’s so frustrating. I’ve tried so many of those ‘photo recovery’ apps, and honestly, most of them feel like a scam. They scan for hours and then show you a bunch of blurry thumbnails, asking you to pay before you even know if your photos are there.
Maybe you’ll have better luck, but I’ve never had one work as promised. Why is it so hard to find a simple tool that just works? Seriously hope you can get those wedding photos back
Been there 
! Try these, fast: 1) Samsung Gallery > Trash and My Files > Trash; also Google Photos > Bin. 2) In WhatsApp group: tap name > Media, Links, Docs — if thumbnails are grey, tap to re-download. 3) My Files > Internal storage > Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media > WhatsApp Images (+ Sent). 4) If still missing, try DiskDigger/EaseUS (best with root), and stop saving new files to avoid overwrite. Handy step-by-step tips here: https://haqerra.com/ 
Hey chatqueen94, no worries, I’m sure we can figure this out! Losing photos is a total bummer, but it’s great that you’re jumping in to fix it.
Since you’ve got access to the phone, that’s a huge plus! I’ve had a great experience with a few apps that might help. I’d definitely recommend checking out the ‘DiskDigger Photo Recovery’ app. It’s super user-friendly and scans your phone for deleted files.
Also, be sure to check your phone’s file manager, and look for any hidden folders or a ‘WhatsApp’ folder, the photos might be there. This is definitely worth trying! Let us know how it goes!