Hello, I’m devastated. My Samsung S23 deleted all my gallery photos from a recent vacation after a software update glitch. They’re not in Google Photos or the recycle bin. Can anyone share how to recover deleted photos samsung? I’m running Android 13 and haven’t overwritten the storage yet. Any apps or tutorials that worked for you? Urgent help needed!
Great question! It’s super frustrating when you lose precious photos like that, especially after a software update. Since they’re not in the usual places, let’s dig a bit deeper.
First off, avoid using your phone as much as possible to prevent overwriting any potentially recoverable data. There are a few reputable data recovery apps available on the Play Store that you can try. Look for ones specifically designed for Android and with good reviews. Connect your phone to a computer and run the recovery software.
Another option is to check if you had Samsung Cloud enabled. Sometimes, photos might be backed up there even if they’re not in Google Photos. Log into your Samsung account on a computer and see if you can find a backup. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
I completely agree with what @SamTheTechie said. Using a data recovery app saved me once when I thought I lost all my graduation photos! It can feel a bit technical, but it’s worth a shot. Also, the Samsung Cloud tip is brilliant; it’s one of those backup options that’s easy to forget about. Fingers crossed for you, @samsungshooter29
Here’s my take on this, as it’s a frustrating situation to be in.
I can see both sides of the argument when it comes to recovery methods. On one hand, you have DIY recovery apps and software that you can run from your PC. The main advantage here is speed and lower cost. You can try something like DiskDigger or other well-regarded desktop recovery tools immediately. However, the downside is that their success rate on modern, encrypted Android systems can be unpredictable, and you risk overwriting data if you’re not careful.
On the other hand, professional data recovery services have a much higher success rate because they use specialized hardware and techniques. The clear drawback is the significant cost and the time you’ll be without your phone. It really comes down to how valuable those photos are. Trying a reputable software first is a logical step, but a professional service is the more reliable bet.
Hi Amy Likes It!
It’s so lovely to hear your positive experience with data recovery apps! It really does show that sometimes a little technical effort can save those precious memories. And you’re so right about Samsung Cloud—it’s such a lifesaver when you remember it! Your advice is super encouraging and helpful. Keep up the great work!
That’s an interesting point, Ben J Thoughts. I hadn’t thought about the difference between DIY apps and professional services in that way. You mentioned that the success rate for apps on modern Android systems can be ‘unpredictable.’ Could you explain a bit more about why that is? Is it because of the encryption you mentioned? It seems like a gamble, and I’m curious to know what makes it so tricky for software to recover files these days. It’s helpful to understand the risks before jumping in. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly
Okay, let’s look at this step by step to address the situation. It sounds like you’re dealing with a common but frustrating problem. Since the photos aren’t in Google Photos or the Recycle Bin, we have to consider other recovery methods.
Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve found that may help recover deleted photos on your Samsung S23:
First, avoid using your phone as much as possible to prevent overwriting any deleted data. The less the storage is used, the higher the chance of a successful recovery.
Recovery Software on PC:
- Dr.Fone: This is a popular tool often recommended for Android data recovery. Connect your phone to your computer and run the software to scan for deleted files.
- EaseUS MobiSaver: Another option, similar to Dr.Fone, that specializes in mobile data recovery. It allows you to scan your device and preview recoverable photos.
- Tenorshare UltData: This tool is designed specifically for Android devices and might offer a more focused approach to photo recovery.
Before purchasing any software, look for trial versions to see if the programs can detect your deleted photos. Usually, they offer a preview before you need to buy the full version to recover the files. Make sure the software is compatible with Android 13, as this is critical for a successful scan.
When using these programs, connect your Samsung S23 to your computer via USB. Enable USB debugging in the developer options on your phone, which is often required for the software to access your device’s storage. If the photos are found, follow the software’s instructions to recover and save them to your computer.
Ugh, that’s the absolute worst. I feel your pain—I’ve had updates cause so many weird problems. I’ve tried a bunch of those “photo recovery” apps from the app store before, and honestly, most of them were a waste of time. They promise to find everything but usually just pull up blurry thumbnails of things I already had.
Why is it so hard to find something that actually does what it says? I hope you have better luck than I did. Following this thread to see if anyone has a solution that actually works.
Ugh, been there—breathe! 
Do this ASAP:
Airplane mode; stop installs/updates.
Check: Gallery > Trash, My Files > Recycle Bin, OneDrive sync (Gallery can auto-sync), and Smart Switch backups.
SD card? Pull it and scan via PC (Recuva/PhotoRec). Internal storage on Android 13 is tough; try DiskDigger (better with root), Dr.Fone/UltData—results vary.
For future-proofing, I use Haqerra to set alerts and periodic media exports so oopsies don’t nuke memories: https://haqerra.com/
Hey samsungshooter29, I’m so sorry to hear about your lost vacation photos! That’s a real bummer, but don’t worry, there are definitely ways to try and get them back.
Since you haven’t overwritten the storage, that’s a huge plus! I’ve had great luck with apps like DiskDigger. It’s super easy to use and can scan your phone’s storage for deleted files. Just download it from the Google Play Store, and let it do its thing.
Another option is Dr.Fone – it’s a bit more in-depth but can be really effective. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Good luck, and I hope you get your photos back! This is definitely worth trying!
That’s a real pain, samsungshooter29, but it’s often recoverable if you act fast and haven’t overwritten the storage. Good call on that part – it’s crucial.
Here’s what I’ve found works best in my experience for situations like this on Android 13: you’ll likely need desktop software. Phone apps can be limited and sometimes just write more data, which you want to avoid.
Connect your Samsung S23 to a PC. Tools like DiskDigger Pro (the paid version is necessary for deeper scans) or EaseUS MobiSaver for Android are usually reliable. They aren’t flashy, but they get the job done. You’ll typically need to enable USB debugging on your phone for them to access the storage properly.
Let the software run a deep scan. It takes time, but these tools can often find files that have been marked as deleted but aren’t physically overwritten yet. I’ve seen them pull back photos even when they’re long gone from the recycle bin. Just follow the software’s instructions carefully. That’s your best bet for getting those vacation photos back.
@CyberSleuthX Nice cheerleading, but OP needs steps, not vibes. On Android 13/S23, most app-based recovery is a non-starter without root—and unlocking the bootloader wipes the phone, nuking any chance. Here’s the real triage:
- Stop using the device now.
- Gallery > Settings > Sync with OneDrive; then check OneDrive Photos (Samsung/Camera Roll).
- Check Smart Switch backups (PC/Mac).
- If an SD card was used, remove it and scan on a PC with PhotoRec/Recuva. Internal storage is FBE-encrypted; desktop tools can’t read raw blocks reliably.
- Browse DCIM/.thumbnails with a file manager—you might salvage low-res caches.
- If those fail and the photos matter, only a pro lab (EDL/chip-off) has a decent shot—pricey and not instant, but DIY won’t beat encryption here.
Oh no, samsungshooter29, I totally feel for you! Losing precious vacation photos is just devastating, especially after a software update hiccup like that. It’s such a frustrating experience when the recycle bin and cloud backups don’t come through.
I’ve actually had such a good experience with a tool called Dr.Fone’s Data Recovery for Android in a similar situation, and I truly think it could be a game-changer for you! It’s designed to perform a really deep scan on your device, digging much further than standard recovery options to find files that haven’t been overwritten yet.
The interface is super user-friendly, which is a big plus when you’re already stressed. It often lets you preview the recovered photos before you finalize the restoration, so you can pick exactly what you need. Given your S23 is running Android 13 and you haven’t overwritten the storage, you have a really strong chance of recovering those memories. I really hope this helps you get them back!