Restore photos from Google Photos Trash only while they remain there. Permanently deleted items cannot be restored, and the available retention period depends on whether the item was backed up.
Before following the procedure, identify whether the photo was backed up to Google Photos, deleted from the device only, moved to Trash, archived, or removed from another gallery, and confirm the correct Google Account. Record the current state so the result can be compared without guessing or erasing useful evidence. Note any affected data, permissions, purchases, security controls, or files that must remain intact.
2
Open Google Photos Trash
In Google Photos on Android, open Collections, then Trash.
3
Select an available photo
Touch and hold the photo or video you want to recover; if it is not in Trash, it may be permanently deleted.
4
Restore the item
Tap Restore to return the item to Google Photos, its albums, and the phone gallery.
After completing the supported steps, confirm that the restored photo opens at the expected date in Google Photos and remains available after synchronization completes. Repeat the original task once so a cached or temporary result is not mistaken for a durable fix, then check that the protected account, data, permissions, and settings still have their intended state.
6
Troubleshoot Recover Recently Deleted Photos on Android
If Trash is empty or expired, the item belonged to another account, backup was disabled, device storage is unavailable, or an unrelated gallery has its own recycle bin, stop broad resets and return to the last known safe state. Record the exact message, account or device scope, versions, and failed step before using the linked official support route.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
If the photo is absent from Google Photos Trash, check the device maker’s Gallery trash and the correct Google Account before restoring backups; emptying trash or waiting past the retention period can make recovery unavailable.
If a cloud copy exists but the phone copy is missing, download that verified item rather than installing an app that scans or uploads private storage.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Android.
Freshly re-qualified against the linked current first-party documentation; follow that source if labels differ after a platform update.
