Can I Recover Permanently Deleted Google Photos?

In today’s digital age, photos hold significant importance in our lives. They capture our memories, special moments, and tell our unique stories. With the emergence of online storage and cloud services, many of us rely on platforms like Google Photos to store and organize our photos. But what happens when we accidentally delete an important photo or worse, permanently delete it? Is there a way to recover permanently deleted Google photos? Let’s find out.

The Truth About Permanently Deleted Photos on Google

First things first, let’s clear up the confusion about the term “permanently deleted” on Google. When we manually delete a photo from our Google Photos account, it goes to the “Trash” folder, where it stays for 60 days before getting deleted permanently. During this 60-day period, we can easily recover the deleted photo from the Trash folder. So technically, nothing is truly permanently deleted from Google Photos.

However, if you empty the Trash folder or the 60-day period has passed, the deleted photos are no longer recoverable through conventional methods.

Recovering Permanently Deleted Photos Using Google Photos

If you’re within the 60-day period and have not emptied your Trash folder, you can easily recover your permanently deleted photos from Google Photos. Here’s how:

1. Open Google Photos

Go to your Google Photos app or website and log in to your account using your Google credentials.

2. Go to the “Trash” Folder

In the menu on the left side of the screen, click on the “Trash” folder to view all the deleted photos.

3. Select the Photos You Want to Recover

Select the photos you want to recover by clicking on the circular checkbox on the top left corner of each photo.

4. Click on the “Restore” Button

Once you’ve selected all the photos you want to recover, click on the “Restore” button on the top right corner of the screen. This will place the photos back into your main Google Photos album.

Using Third-Party Data Recovery Tools

If you have emptied the Trash folder or the 60-day period has passed, you can still try to recover your permanently deleted photos using third-party data recovery tools. These tools use advanced algorithms to scan your device and retrieve deleted data, including photos. Some popular data recovery tools that you can use for this purpose are EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Disk Drill, and Stellar Data Recovery.

It is worth noting that the success rate of using these tools to recover permanently deleted photos from Google Photos is not guaranteed. It highly depends on the state of your device’s storage and the length of time that has passed since the photos were deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are deleted photos on Google Photos gone forever?

No, they are not. Deleted photos are moved to the “Trash” folder, where they stay for 60 days before getting permanently deleted. You can recover them from the “Trash” folder within this 60-day period.

2. Can I recover permanently deleted photos from Google Photos after 60 days?

It is not guaranteed, but you can try using third-party data recovery tools to retrieve your permanently deleted photos. However, the success rate may vary depending on the state of your device’s storage and the length of time that has passed since the photos were deleted.

3. How can I avoid permanently deleting photos on Google Photos?

You can avoid permanently deleting photos by regularly backing them up on a separate storage device or cloud service. You can also enable the “Archive” feature on Google Photos, which moves photos to a separate folder instead of deleting them.

4. Does Google Photos have a photo recovery option?

Yes, Google Photos has a “Trash” folder where deleted photos are stored for 60 days before getting permanently deleted. You can recover the photos from this folder within the 60-day period.

5. Are permanently deleted photos on Google Photos still taking up storage space?

No, once photos are permanently deleted, they no longer take up storage space on Google Photos. However, they may still be taking up space on your device if the photos were synced or backed up.

In conclusion, while it is possible to recover permanently deleted photos from Google Photos within the 60-day period, it is always recommended to