Deleting photos from your phone Samsung Galaxy is one of the most painful mistakes for users. Vacation snapshots, family photos or important documents can disappear in one click: an accidental click, a factory reset, or a system crash. Fortunately, in most cases recover deleted photos it is possible - even if you have already emptied the trash. In this article we will look at all the current methods: from standard functions Android to professional utilities that work even after formatting the memory.

The main rule: the sooner you start actingthe higher the chances of success. Once deleted, the files do not physically disappear; they are simply marked as free space. As long as new data does not overwrite these sectors, recovery is possible. But with each passing hour, the risk of loss increases, especially if you continue to use the phone.

We tested all methods on models Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy A54 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 (2023–2026). Most instructions are universal for all devices on Android 12–14, but some functions (for example, Samsung Cloud) may differ depending on the region and firmware version.

📊 Where do you store backup copies of photos?
In the cloud (Google Photos, Samsung Cloud)
On a computer
On an external drive (flash drive, SSD)
I don’t store it anywhere
Another option

The first thing to do is look into built-in basket applications Gallery. B Samsung Galaxy deleted photos are stored there 30 days (by default), after which they are completely erased. This method works even if you deleted pictures from the memory card. data-i="61">(icon with multi-colored squares). microSD.

How to open the cart:

  1. Launch the application Gallery (icon with multi-colored squares).
  2. Tap on the three horizontal lines (☰) in the lower right corner.
  3. Select an item Trash (or Recently deleted in some versions).
  4. Click on the photos you want to return and select Restore.

If the Trash is empty or you emptied it manually, go to the next one way. Please note: photos deleted through the file manager (for example, Mine files) are stored; galleries do not end up in the recycle bin —they are immediately sent to the system recycle bin Android, where only 15 days.

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In the gallery settings (☰ → Settings → Cart), you can increase the storage period for deleted files to 60 days. This will save your pictures if you accidentally click "Delete".

2. Restoring via Google Photos

Google Photos is the most reliable way to get back lost pictures if you had automatic synchronizationenabled. The service saves all photos in the cloud, even if you delete them from your phone. The main condition: you had to log into your account Google and allow backup.

Recovery instructions:

  1. Open the application Google Photos (if it’s not there - download from Play Market).
  2. Login using the same account that was linked to the phone at the time the photo was deleted.
  3. Tap on your profile avatar in the upper right corner → Trash.
  4. Select the necessary photos and click Restore.

In Google Photos the files are stored in the trash 60 days, after which they are deleted forever, if more time has passed, try to find the pictures through Search in the application - sometimes they are deleted. remain in the archive or albums.

Make sure you are signed in with the correct account|Check your Trash folder|Use search by date or keywords|View albums “Archive” and “Hidden”-->

Important: if you deleted photos from the Google Photos recycle bin manually, it is impossible to restore them through the service. In this case, only specialized software will help (see section 5).

3. Samsung Cloud: backup from the manufacturer

U Samsung has its own cloud storage - Samsung Cloud. If you have enabled gallery synchronization, the chances of getting your photos back are high. However, starting in 2021, the company has limited free storage to 5 GB, and in some regions (for example, in Russia) the service is not available at all.

How to check backups:

  1. Go to Settings → Accounts and archiving → Samsung Cloud.
  2. Select Gallery and see the date of the last backup.
  3. If there is a copy, click Restore data and select the desired photos.

If Samsung Cloud is disabled or does not work in your region, try an alternative method:

  • 🔄 Recovery via Samsung Smart Switch: connect the phone to the PC, run the app Smart Switch and select the option to restore from a backup.
  • 📁 Local copies: check the folder DCIM/.thumbnails or Pictures via the file manager - sometimes thumbnails or duplicates remain there.
What what to do if Samsung Cloud does not work?

In some countries (for example, in Russia), the Samsung Cloud service has been replaced with Samsung Cloud Lite with reduced functionality. In this case:

1. Check if synchronization is enabled via Settings → Accounts and Backup → Backup and Restore.

2. Use Google Photos or OneDrive as an alternative.

3. If there are no backups, proceed to recovery methods via PC (section 5).

4. Search on the memory card and internal storage

If photos were stored on memory card microSD, you can try to restore them using a file manager or specialized utilities. The main thing is do not write new files to the card, otherwise the old data will be overwritten.

How to search for lost files:

  • 📂 Via My files: open the application, go to Storage → Memory card and check the folders DCIM, Pictures or Download.
  • 🔍 Search by date: in My files click on the magnifying glass icon and enter the date shooting (format: YYYY-MM-DD).
  • 💾 Hidden folders: enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings (menu → Settings → Show hidden files).

If the photos were on internal memoryand not on the card, use File manager from Google or third-party utilities like Solid ExplorerSometimes. the files remain in the application cache (folder Android/data), but to access it you will need root access.

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Memory cards microSD are easier to recover than the internal memory of the phone. This is due to the fact that Android encrypts data on the main drive, and on removable media it often remains in clear form.

5. apps for deep recovery (via PC)

If standard methods did not help, it’s time. connect professional software. These apps scan the phone's memory at a low level and can find files even after formatting. We tested 3 reliable tools:

app Samsung support Recovery from memory card Free version Difficulty
DiskDigger Yes (without root) Yes Limited Low
Recuva Yes (requires connection as a USB drive) Yes Yes Medium
EaseUS MobiSaver Yes (with root access) Yes No High
PhotoRec (for advanced) Yes (via ADB) Yes Yes Very high

Step-by-step guide for DiskDigger (the simplest option):

  1. Download DiskDigger from the official website and install on your PC.
  2. Connect Samsung Galaxy to your computer via USB (file transfer mode).
  3. Launch the app, select your phone and press Scan.
  4. After scanning, mark the photos you need and click Recover.
  5. Save the files on your PC (not on your phone!) to avoid overwriting.

Important nuances:

  • 🔐 Without root-rights apps see only thumbnails (files with extension .thumb).
  • 🚫 Do not save the recovered photos back to the phone - use the cloud or PC.
  • ⏳ Scanning may take several hours (depending on the amount of memory).
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If the phone is not detected as a storage device, enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → Return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).

6. Contacting Samsung service center

If photographs are critically important (for example, these are the only copies of documents or unique photographs), and self-recovery does not help, you should contact the official service center Samsung. The company has specialized tools for extracting data even from damaged drives.

What you need to know before your visit:

  • 📋 Take with you receipts or warranty card - this will speed up the process.
  • 💳 The service is paid: the cost starts from 3-5 thousand rubles (depending on the complexity).
  • ⏳ Recovery period - from 1 to 5 working days.
  • 🔒 In some cases, proof of ownership of the phone will be required.

Service centers Samsung work with chip-off method —they remove the memory chip and read the data directly, bypassing the operating system. This is the only way to return a photo if the phone:

  • Does not turn on after being dropped or exposed to water.
  • Encrypted and you forgot the password.
  • Has physical damage to the board.

⚠️ Attention: Not All service centers provide data recovery services. Please check this information by phone before your visit. Also be careful with unofficial workshops - there is a risk of leaking personal photos.

7. How to prevent photo loss in the future

The best way to combat data loss is prevention. Here are proven methods that will help avoid repeated problems:

  • ☁️ Automatic backup: enable synchronization in Google Photos (Settings → Backup and synchronization) or Samsung Cloud. Set a limit on mobile traffic so that copies are created only over Wi-Fi.
  • 📱 Duplication to a memory card: in the camera settings (Storage → Save location) select Memory card as the main place for new pictures.
  • 🖥️ Regular export to PC: once a month, connect the phone to the computer and copy the folder DCIM to your hard drive.
  • 🔄 Use two clouds: set up backup simultaneously in Google Photos and OneDrive (or Yandex Drive).

Additional tips:

  • 🚫 Avoid "junk cleaning" applications - they often delete the gallery cache where thumbnails may be stored.
  • 🔋 Do not bring the battery charge to 0% - a sudden shutdown while transferring photos can damage them.
  • 📲 Before resetting the phone to factory settings, be sure to check that all photos are synchronized with the cloud.

⚠️ Attention: If you sell or give the phone to another person, do not limit yourself to simply deleting the photo. Use. function Factory reset (Settings → General management → Reset) and format the memory card separately. Otherwise, the new owners will be able to restore your data.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about photo recovery on Samsung

Is it possible to recover photos deleted more than a year ago?

If the photos were not uploaded to the cloud (Google Photos, Samsung Cloud), the chances are extremely low. Locally on the phone, files are stored in the trash for a maximum of 60 days, after which they are physically deleted. The only option is to contact a service center for a chip-off recovery, but this is expensive and does not guarantee results.

Will flashing the phone help get the photos back?

No, flashing (installing a new version Android) will delete all data from the internal memory. If there were no photos are backed up, restoring them will become impossible. Reflash the phone only as a last resort and after creating a backup.

What to do if the phone does not turn on, and there are important photos on it?

First try charging the device (sometimes the battery is discharged to 0%). reacts:

  1. Connect it to the PC - perhaps the computer will recognize the drive.
  2. Use the mode Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume Up with the phone turned off) and try to copy the data via ADB.
  3. Contact a service center to remove the memory chip.

Can photo recovery apps harm the phone?

High-quality utilities (for example, DiskDigger or Recuva) are safe, but there are risks:

  • Some apps require root accesswhich voids the warranty.
  • Scanning creates a load on memory, which can slow down the phone.
  • Recovery to the phone itself (and not on a PC) can overwrite lost data.

Use only proven software and make sure that the battery is at least 50% charged.

How to restore a photo after a factory reset?

If the reset was done without a backup, the chances are minimal.

  1. apps for deep scanning (EaseUS MobiSaver, Dr.Fone).
  2. Checking cloud services (Google Photos, Samsung Cloud), if synchronization was enabled.
  3. Contacting a service center (for phones with physical memory eMMC/UFS).

In the future, always make a backup copy before resetting!