Do not sign out of iCloud, disable syncing, erase the iPhone, or restore a backup before checking the supported recovery locations. Note roughly when the item was captured, which device created it, and whether Shared Library was in use.
2
Search the complete Photos library
Open Photos, use Search with a date, place, person, or object, then inspect the relevant collection, album, Imports, and media type. Confirm that filters are not hiding photos and that you are viewing Personal Library, Shared Library, or Both Libraries as intended.
3
Check Hidden
In Photos, open Collections and scroll to Utilities > Hidden. Authenticate, select the correct item, open its menu, and choose Unhide. If Hidden is not visible, review the Photos setting that controls whether the Hidden album is shown.
4
Recover from Recently Deleted
Open Utilities > Recently Deleted and authenticate. Select only the missing items and choose Recover; deleted items are normally available for 30 days before permanent deletion, so do this promptly.
Switch between Personal and Shared Library views where applicable. In Settings, confirm the Apple Account is the one that owns the expected iCloud Photos library; a different account can show a complete but different collection.
6
Confirm iCloud Photos can finish syncing
Open Settings > your name > iCloud > Photos and review Sync this iPhone without toggling it repeatedly. Connect to power and a reliable network, verify available iCloud and device storage, and allow the status in Photos time to update.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
If the item is absent from Search, Hidden, Recently Deleted, both Shared Library views, iCloud.com, and every device using the same Apple Account, check an existing computer import or backup made before deletion. Do not erase the current phone merely to test a backup; contact Apple Support before any restore that could replace newer data.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.
