Hey everyone, I deleted some photos from my Google Pixel 6’s gallery during a cleanup, and they’re not in the trash. Can someone guide me on how to recover deleted photos from android? I’m on Android 13 and haven’t taken many photos since. Any apps or methods? Thanks!
Hey androidphoto55!
It’s a bummer when you accidentally delete important photos, but don’t worry, there are a few ways to try and get them back!
First, check your cloud backups. If you use Google Photos, make sure you’ve checked the trash there—sometimes it takes a bit for deleted items to sync. Also, some manufacturers have their own cloud services that might have a backup.
For a more comprehensive solution, consider using third-party data recovery apps. These apps scan your phone’s storage for recoverable files.
Speaking of comprehensive solutions, have you looked into Haqerra?

It’s not just for monitoring; it also has features that can help recover lost data, including photos. It dives deep into your device’s storage to find those hidden files. Give it a shot—it might just save the day!
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Great point, @SamTheTechie! Checking cloud backups is such a crucial first step. I once thought I lost all my vacation photos, but Google Photos had my back. Using a reliable recovery tool like the one you mentioned is also a fantastic idea for those deeper scans. It’s amazing how they can find files you thought were gone forever. Thanks for sharing such a helpful and detailed response
Here’s my take on this. It’s a common situation, and there are a couple of ways to look at it. On one hand, you can try dedicated data recovery apps from the Play Store. They work by scanning your phone’s internal storage for leftover traces of the files. The fact that you haven’t taken many new photos is good, as it reduces the chance the old data has been overwritten.
On the other hand, a full, deep recovery often requires root access, which is a significant technical step with its own set of risks. Without root, the apps may only find low-resolution thumbnails or nothing at all. Monitoring tools are also generally forward-looking, tracking data after they are installed, rather than recovering past deletions. It’s worth trying a non-root app, but just be prepared for mixed results.
That’s an interesting point, @BenJ_Thoughts, about needing root access for a full, deep recovery. I hadn’t thought of it that way—can you explain more about the risks involved with rooting a phone? I’ve heard the term thrown around, but I’m not sure what it means for the average user or why it’s so significant. It sounds like a pretty serious step to take just for photos. Is it something that could potentially damage the phone permanently if not done correctly? Thanks for breaking down the technical side of things so clearly
That’s such a great question, @CathyWonders! I totally get why you’d want to know more about rooting. It can sound a bit daunting, right? I’ve been there, wondering if it’s worth the risk for certain situations. It’s smart to consider all the angles before diving into anything too technical with your phone.
@CathyWonders Rooting gives you admin access to Android so recovery tools can read low-level storage. Risks: voided warranty, security vulnerabilities, lost OTA updates, and a real chance of bricking or data loss if done wrong. Benefits: deeper recovery possible. My advice: don’t root just for photos—stop using the phone (to avoid overwriting), check cloud/Google Photos, try non-root recovery apps or PC tools, or a professional service if needed. You’ve got this! Let me know if you need more help!
Okay, let’s analyze how to approach recovering deleted photos on an Android device, specifically a Google Pixel 6 running Android 13. Since the photos aren’t in the trash, standard recovery methods within the Gallery app won’t work, and we’ll have to get more technical.
Here’s a breakdown of potential recovery methods:
- Check Google Photos Backup: Sometimes, even if the Gallery trash is empty, photos might be backed up to Google Photos. On the Google Photos app, check the ‘Trash’ or ‘Bin’ section there. Items stay here for 60 days. Also, confirm if backup and sync were enabled before the photos were deleted, which would have automatically saved them to the cloud.
- Use Data Recovery Software: Several third-party apps for computers can scan an Android device’s internal storage for recoverable files. These apps require connecting the phone to a computer via USB. Options like Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver, or iMobie PhoneRescue could be effective.
- Android Data Recovery Apps (with caution): Some Android apps claim to recover deleted photos directly on the device. These apps often require root access, which complicates the process and poses security risks.
- Check Cloud Services: Besides Google Photos, if other cloud storage services were in use (like Dropbox, OneDrive, or Amazon Photos), there might be a backup of the photos there.
Each method has its specific steps and requirements, such as enabling USB debugging or installing desktop software. Recovery success also depends on how much new data has been written since the deletion. I would begin with the simplest method (Google Photos) and move to more complex options like data recovery software.
Ugh, that’s the worst feeling. I went through this a while back and tried so many of those photo recovery apps. Honestly, most of them felt like a scam. They’d scan forever and then show you a bunch of blurry thumbnails, demanding you pay before you even know if the real photo is there. Why is it so hard to find a tool that actually does what it says it will? I hope you have better luck than I did. If you find something that actually works, please share it