Can you get a photo back after deleting it from the recently deleted?

Once you delete a photo from the Recently Deleted folder, it is gone from your device. But you still have a chance to get it back if you use an iCloud or iTunes backup, or a recovery tool like Disk Drill Data Recovery app. These backups do not save the folder itself, but they may contain the original photo from before you deleted it. This helps when you want to learn how to see recently deleted photos on iPhone in older backups.

Why are recently deleted iPhone photos not showing?

If the folder is empty or missing, it may be because the 30-day timer expired. iOS removes photos for good after this period. You may also have turned off iCloud Photos, which can affect how the folder appears. In some cases, a software bug can hide the folder until you restart your device. These issues can make users ask, How do I find recently deleted photos on iPhone, when the folder does not show up.

Do iCloud and iTunes backups include photos in the recently deleted folder?

No. iCloud and iTunes backups do not store items inside the Recently Deleted folder. They only save photos that were still in your main library at the time of the backup. So, if you want to recover a deleted photo, you must restore from a backup made before you deleted the file. Tools that scan your device may also help you find missing images outside the backup.

How to Find Recently Deleted Photos on iPhone in Just One Minute

Clara Prescott Published on January 23, 2026Recover Data3-min reading

Accidentally deleting photos happens all the time. iOS keeps them safe for a while. Knowing how recently deleted photos on iPhone work lets you restore images before they are gone. Deleted photos sit in a special folder for a short time. This guide shows how to find them, recover them safely, and answers common questions. Follow these steps to get your photos back fast and keep your iPhone data safe.

In this article:

Part 1. How to Find Recently Deleted Photos on iPhone
Part 2. How to Recover Recently Deleted Photos
Part 3. FAQs About Recently Deleted iPhone Photos

Part 1. How to Find Recently Deleted Photos on iPhone

iPhones save all images inside the Photos app, which is preinstalled and cannot be removed. When you delete a photo, it does not vanish right away. It proceeds to the Recently Deleted folder, where it stays for a short time.

Just like what we said earlier, the Photos app is the best place to start when you need how to find recently deleted photos on an iPhone. It shows which images can still be restored and how long you have before they are erased.

Step 1

Open the Photos app.

Step 2

Scroll through the albums and tap Recently Deleted.

Step 3

View the photos and check the days left before removal.

Step 4

Select a photo and tap Recover to restore it to your albums.

If the image is already over 30 days on the Recently Deleted, then those are automatically removed permanently on your device. So, to retrieve these deleted photos, you can use the methods that we have here.

Part 2. How to Recover Recently Deleted Photos

Method 1: imyPass iPhone Data Recovery - Best iOS Photo Retriever

Sometimes the Recently Deleted folder fails to show the photo you need. Even guides on how to get to recently deleted photos on iPhone may not help if the file is hidden, removed early, or lost during an update. imyPass iPhone Data Recovery is built for these cases. Its deep scan can detect and recover photos that are no longer visible on your device. It provides a secure and efficient way to retrieve images that other methods overlook.

Step 1

Download and install the data recovery app on your computer by ticking the download button that we have here. Then, follow the requirements for installation. Launch the tool, and establish a connection to your iOS device.

Free Download Free Download

Step 2

Once your iOS is recognized by the app and computer, click Recover from iOS Device and click Start Scan.

Step 3

After scanning, you will see all the data that you can recover in here. To find the deleted ones, you need to choose Show Deleted Only and go to Media, then Photos Library. Tick the boxes of every image that you want to retrieve.

Step 4

Now that you have already picked out the images you want to retrieve, click the Recover button.

Method 2: Recover from iCloud Backup

iCloud is helpful when your iPhone recently deleted photos are not visible in the Photos app. With it, all the stored backup copies can be restored to iCloud at any time.

Step 1

Open Settings and tap your Apple ID.

Step 2

Select iCloud, then tap Manage Storage.

Step 3

Tap Recently Deleted to check the files.

Step 4

Look for a backup that contains your photos. Tap Restore to recover the images.

Method 3: Restore from iTunes Backup

If you back up your device often, you can use iTunes to find recently deleted photos on your iPhone from an older backup.

Step 1

Link your iPhone to a desktop with a USB cable. Open iTunes.

Step 2

Select your iPhone and click Restore Backup.

Step 3

Choose the backup with the photos you need.

Step 4

Click Restore to recover your images.

Method 4: Recover Using Finder on Mac

Finder gives Mac users a simple way to recover recently deleted photos iPhone when they sync and store backups on the computer.

Step 1

Connect your iPhone to your Mac.

Step 2

Open Finder and select your iPhone. Click Files, then choose Image Capture.

Step 3

Pick the images you want and tick Import to restore them.

Method 5: Unhide Hidden Photos

Hidden photos do not appear in your main albums, so checking this folder helps you confirm where recently deleted photos are on your iPhone before assuming they are gone.

Step 1

Open the Photos app. Tap Albums and select Hidden.

Step 2

Choose the photo you want to restore.

Step 3

Tap the share icon and select Unhide.

Method 6: Restore from Other Cloud Storage

Cloud apps like Dropbox and OneDrive can store backups of recently deleted iPhone photos that are not tied to iCloud or iTunes.

Step 1

Step 2

Select the images you want to recover.

Step 3

Tap Download to save them to the Photos app.

FAQs.

Can you get a photo back after deleting it from the recently deleted?

Once you delete a photo from the Recently Deleted folder, it is gone from your device. But you still have a chance to get it back if you use an iCloud or iTunes backup, or a recovery tool like Disk Drill Data Recovery app. These backups do not save the folder itself, but they may contain the original photo from before you deleted it. This helps when you want to learn how to see recently deleted photos on iPhone in older backups.
Why are recently deleted iPhone photos not showing?

If the folder is empty or missing, it may be because the 30-day timer expired. iOS removes photos for good after this period. You may also have turned off iCloud Photos, which can affect how the folder appears. In some cases, a software bug can hide the folder until you restart your device. These issues can make users ask, How do I find recently deleted photos on iPhone, when the folder does not show up.
Do iCloud and iTunes backups include photos in the recently deleted folder?

No. iCloud and iTunes backups do not store items inside the Recently Deleted folder. They only save photos that were still in your main library at the time of the backup. So, if you want to recover a deleted photo, you must restore from a backup made before you deleted the file. Tools that scan your device may also help you find missing images outside the backup.

Conclusion

It is easy to feel stressed when a photo goes missing. But your iPhone gives you simple ways to bring it back. When you know how to find recently deleted photos on an iPhone, you can recover lost images fast. You can review the Recently Deleted folder, look at your backups, or use a recovery tool if needed. Each method is quick and safe. Take a moment to try them so you can protect your photos and keep your memories close.

Clara Prescott

Clara is an editor from imyPass. She specializes in data recovery. You can find professional tutorials and solutions for recovering lost data from any device. Many users reported that his tutorial is easy and useful.