Have you deleted important photos on your smartphone Huawei and don’t know how to get them back? Unlike the iPhone or many other Android devices, iOS phones have a built-in media recycle bin that stores deleted files for up to 30 days. But even if you have emptied the trash or more than a month has passed, there are still chances for recovery. In this article - Huawei on firmware EMUI have a built-in media recycle bin that stores deleted files for up to 30 days. But even if you have emptied the trash or more than a month has passed, there are still chances for recovery. In this article - 5 proven methods return photos, including hidden functions EMUI, cloud backups and third-party tools.

It is important to understand: success depends on what how long has passed since the removal i have you used the phone after that. Every new photo, video, or app update can overwrite deleted data. Therefore, you need to act quickly. If you are looking for a solution specifically for a model Huawei P40 Pro, Mate 30 or Nova 9 the instructions below are suitable for all devices on EMUI 9.0 and later.

Before proceeding to recovery, check:

  • 📁 Trash in the Gallery —the first and easiest method (section below).
  • ☁️ Huawei Cloud —if synchronization was enabled.
  • 🔄 Local backups —via Settings → System → Backup.
  • 🛠️ Specialized apps —for deep memory scanning.
📊 What Huawei model does it have? you?
P50/P50 Pro
Mate 50/Pro
Nova 10/Pro
Another EMUI model
I don’t know

Smartphones Huawei on EMUI 10.0 and higher automatically send deleted photos and videos to recycle binwhere they are stored up to 30 days (on some models the period may vary). This method works without the Internet and additional apps.

To return files:

  1. Open the application Gallery (icon with a flower).
  2. Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner → select Cart.
  3. Find the photos you need, click on them (you can select several) → click Restore at the bottom of the screen.
  4. The files will be returned to the album "All photos" or to the folder from which they were deleted.

If there are no buttons: "Trash" No:

  • 🔍 Check if it is hidden in the Gallery settings (Settings → Show hidden albums).
  • 📱 Update the application Gallery via AppGallery.
  • 🔄 Reboot the phone - sometimes the cart is not displayed due to a crash.

Is the Gallery open (not Google Photo)|

Is there a "Trash" button in the menu (⋮)|

The files were not deleted from the trash bin manually|

The storage period (30 days) has not expired-->

⚠️ Attention: If you emptied the trash bin manually or used the function "Empty Trash", the files are deleted irretrievably (without the possibility of recovery using standard means). In this case, proceed to the following methods.

2. Recovery via Huawei Cloud (cloud storage)

If synchronization with Huawei synchronization with Huawei Cloud, deleted photos could be saved in the cloud. This method works even after emptying the recycle bin or resetting the phone to factory settings.

How to check and. restore:

  1. Open Settings → [Your name] → Huawei Cloud.
  2. Go to the section "Gallery" or "Photos".
  3. Check the folder "Recently deleted" (analogous to the recycle bin, but in the cloud).
  4. Select the required files → click "Recover".

If the photo is not in "Recently deleted":

  • 🔎 Use search by date or keywords (for example, beach 2023).
  • ☁️ Check "Backups" in Huawei Cloud - perhaps the photos are saved in the archive.
  • 📤 Export all photos from the cloud to your phone: Huawei Cloud → Gallery → Select all → Save to device.
Condition Is recovery possible? Actions
Synchronization with Huawei Cloud has been enabled ✅ Yes Check the "Gallery" and "Recently Deleted" sections
Photos deleted more than 30 days ago ❌ No (in the cart) Use Huawei Cloud or third-party apps
Phone reset to factory settings ✅ Yes (if there was a backup) Restore data from the cloud during the first setup
Huawei Cloud was not used ❌ No Go to methods 3-5
⚠️ Attention: Free plan Huawei Cloud only provides 5 GB spaces If you do not pay for extended storage, old backups may be automatically deleted. Check your payment history. in Huawei Cloud → Account → Tariff plan.

3. Using local backups (Backup)

Huawei offers a function local backupthat saves photos, contacts and other data to internal memory or an SD card. If you have ever created a backup, there is a chance to recover deleted pictures.

How to restore from a backup:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Backup.
  2. Select "Restore" → specify the source (internal memory or SD card).
  3. Find the required backup by date → mark "Gallery" or "Multimedia".
  4. Click "Restore" and wait for the process to complete.

If there is no backup:

  • 🔍 Check the folder Backup or HwBackup in the root directory of the phone's memory via file manager.
  • 💾 Connect the phone to the PC and use apps like 7-Zip to view backup archives (they may have the extension .hbk).
  • 📅 Make sure that backup was enabled earlier: Settings → Backup → History.
💡

If the backup is damaged, try restoring it on another Huawei device with the same EMUI version. Sometimes this helps to bypass reading errors.

4. apps for deep memory scanning (without ROOT)

If standard methods do not help, you can use specialized apps to recover data. They scan the phone's internal memory at the file system level and can find photos even after emptying the recycle bin. Huawei are suitable:

  • 🛠️ DiskDigger - the free version searches for photos without ROOT, the paid version - with a greater scanning depth.
  • 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver - supports recovery from internal memory and SD cards.
  • 📱 Dumpster - alternative recycle bin for Android (need to be installed before deleting photos).

Instructions for DiskDigger (the most effective option):

  1. Download the app from Google Play or AppGallery (if available).
  2. Start scanning («Basic scan» for photos without ROOT).
  3. Select partition «Internal Storage» (internal memory).
  4. Wait for the process to complete (may take up to 30 minutes).
  5. Mark the found photos → click «Recover» and save them to the cloud or on your PC.

Limitations methods:

  • ⚠️ Without root access apps see only not overwritten data.
  • ⚠️ Recovered photos may be damaged (partially or completely).
  • ⚠️ The more time has passed, the lower the chances (the phone's memory is constantly overwritten).
What what to do if the app does not find the photo?

If DiskDigger or analogues did not find the deleted pictures, this may mean:

1. The data was overwritten by new files (photos, videos, application updates).

2. Photos were stored on the SD card, not in the internal memory (try scanning the card separately).

3. The phone uses a file system F2FS (rarely, but possible on new models), which not all apps support.

In this case, all that remains is to contact the service center for professional restoration (cost from 3,000 ₽).

5. Recovery via PC (ADB and specialized software)

For experienced users, there is a recovery method via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and apps like Recuva or PhotoRec. This method requires connecting the phone to the computer and can return the photo even after resetting the settings, but does not guarantee 100% results..

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Enable USB debugging on your phone: 
    Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times)

    Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging

  2. Connect Huawei to PC via USB (select mode "File Transfer").
  3. Download and install ADB Tools (for example, Platform Tools from Google).
  4. Run command line in the folder with adb.exe and execute: 
    adb devices

    adb shell
    

    su (if there is ROOT)
    

    dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0 of=/sdcard/recovery.img bs=4096

    This will create an image of the phone's memory (file recovery.img).

  5. Scan the image with the app PhotoRec or Autopsy to search for photos.

Warnings:

  • 🚨 Without root access you will only have access to part of the memory.
  • 🚨 Incorrect commands ADB can damage data.
  • 🚨 The memory image can weigh tens of gigabytes —make sure you have enough space on your PC.
⚠️ Attention: Using ADB and low-level tools like PhotoRec requires technical knowledge. Errors when working with memory sections (/dev/block/...) can lead to complete loss of data or damage to the firmware. If you are not sure, contact a specialist.

What to do if nothing helps?

If none of the methods worked, there remain extreme measures:

  1. Contacting the service center:
    • 🔧 Specialists use professional equipment (for example, Chip-Off or JTAG), which reads data directly from the memory chip.
    • 💰 Cost: from 3,000 to 15,000 ₽ depending on complexity.
    • ⏳ Duration: 1–3 days.
  2. Checking other devices:
    • 📤 Perhaps the photos were sent via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or mail.
    • 🖥️ Check the computers, tablets or other phones to which your Huawei.
  3. Search in the application cache:
    • 🗃️ Some applications (for example, Instagram or VK) store photo thumbnails in a cache. Use a file manager to find folders like /Android/data/com.instagram.android/cache.

If the photos were special value (for example, these were the only pictures of an important event), consider contacting data recovery laboratories (for example, HDD Recovery or Flashback Data). They work even with physically damaged drives, but the services are expensive.

💡

The sooner you start recovery, the higher the chances of returning the photo. Each new photo, video or application update reduces the probability of success by 10–30%.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about photo recovery on Huawei

Is it possible to recover a photo if the trash in the Gallery is empty?

Yes, but only if:

  • Photo synchronized with Huawei Cloud.
  • There is local backup.
  • You use memory scanning apps (for example, DiskDigger).

If the recycle bin was emptied manually, standard methods will not work.

How much does it cost to restore a photo in a service center?

The cost depends on the method:

  • Software recovery (without disassembling the phone): 3,000–7,000 ₽.
  • Hardware recovery (Chip-Off, JTAG): 8 000–15 000 ₽.
  • Emergency recovery (if the phone does not turn on): from 10,000 ₽.

Prices are relevant for Moscow and St. Petersburg. May differ in regions.

Is it possible to restore a photo after resetting the phone to factory settings?

Yes, but only if:

  • Synchronization with Huawei Cloud.
  • You created local backup to an SD card or PC.
  • Use specialized software (for example, EaseUS MobiSaver) immediately after the reset.

If the reset was done a long time ago, the chances are minimal.

Why don't apps like DiskDigger find my photos?

Possible reasons:

  • Data overwritten new files.
  • Photos were stored on SD card, and you are scanning the internal memory.
  • The phone is using F2FS file system (rare, but possible on new models).
  • You are looking for photos in wrong partition (for example, in the cache, and not in the /DCIM).

Try scanning the phone through a PC with using PhotoRec.

How to avoid losing photos in the future?

Recommendations:

  • ☁️ Turn on automatic synchronization s Huawei Cloud or Google Photos.
  • 💾 Regularly create local backups to your PC or SD card.
  • 📁 Use alternative galleries (for example, Google Photos or Simple Gallery), which have their own basket.
  • 🚫 Don’t store photos only on your phone - duplicate them on external storage.