Level 1

50 points

Where do Permanently Deleted Photos Go on iPhone?

I recently found that some of my photos on my iPhone disappeared, and I am wondering where do permamently deleted photos go on iPhone? Although I had deleted them from my "Recently Deleted" album, I still cannot find them in my Photos app or iCloud. I am worried that they are gone permanently and cannot be recovered. I have tried searching for solutions online, but have not found a clear answer. I would appreciate any insight into where these photos may have gone, and if there is any way to retrieve them.

Thank you for your help.

Posted on Oct 26, 2023 1:56 AM

Top-ranking reply

Servant of Cats

Level 8

45,509 points

Posted on Nov 14, 2023 8:46 AM

Universe669 wrote:

MrBill3 wrote:

Hello Universe669,

You might check to see if you have an old backup that might contain the photos. See this:

Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Good luck.

I didn't make any backups in time befor they are deleted, so that is what bothers me the most.

Do you use iCloud Photos on your iPhone and your computer?

If so, do you have any backups of your computer, of the drive where your system Photos Library is stored, dating from before you permanently deleted the photos from iCloud Photos? At that time, your computer may have had local copies of the photos on its disk.

If you really have no backups of your phone or of your computer, then it sounds like they are gone …

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81 replies

fei40

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2024 11:22 PM in response to lobsterghost1

On that note, I also had deleted some important photos that I am in need of now. Im sure they were backed up but im not sure how to retrieve them again as I had deleted them from recently deleted. Can you help me?

Mar 3, 2024 11:32 PM in response to fei40

fei40 wrote:

On that note, I also had deleted some important photos that I am in need of now. Im sure they were backed up but im not sure how to retrieve them again as I had deleted them from recently deleted. Can you help me?

In order for us to help you, you'll need to tell us how you backed them up. Do you back them up to your computer? Did you store them in Google Photos? Burn them to a DVD?

Apr 15, 2024 6:28 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Ok so pictures in that case will be no longer available to access by the user. What about Apple or someone else with malicious intent? What If I have s*x tapes or other sensitive information? Is that really gone forever or simply not available to the iPhone user? Is the "Recently deleted" the last stop for all files in the gallery?

This is the most imporant question I believe.

Apr 15, 2024 6:45 AM in response to denisfromsvishtov

denisfromsvishtov wrote:

Ok so pictures in that case will be no longer available to access by the user. What about Apple or someone else with malicious intent? What If I have s*x tapes or other sensitive information? Is that really gone forever or simply not available to the iPhone user? Is the "Recently deleted" the last stop for all files in the gallery?

This is the most imporant question I believe.

How many times does the same answer need to be repeated?

Apr 15, 2024 6:51 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Honestly? I think this thread is full with mixed comments. I really wish all deleted files to be gone with the wind but who can actually tell for sure? is there an official Apple statement on that matter?

stedman1

Level 10

266,564 points

Apr 21, 2024 11:14 AM in response to Community User

Belle2018pablo wrote:

What about unallocated space on the iPhone?? Is it truly deleted forever on an iPhone?

Is there an answer you are seeking, that has not been provided in your other threads on this very subject?

MamaG44

Level 1

8 points

May 5, 2024 9:44 PM in response to Universe669

This reply is to pretty much everyone. I’m not 100% sure how Apple deals with their issues but I do know that there were pictures of mine come up missing that I could find nowhere even in the deleted file on my Google app and I got a hold of the Google One team and they did recover a great deal of them more actually that I thought I had missed , so there is obviously a way to do it if you can speak with the right person in that department with Apple

Bob Timmons

Level 10

192,300 points

Jun 25, 2024 10:08 AM in response to shakeel205

Same answer as on the previous 5 pages of this thread.

If you deleted photos from Recently Deleted on your phone......they are gone......unless you backed them up separately on another device or service.......before.....you deleted them from the phone.

Dec 27, 2023 8:39 PM in response to Universe669

I wanna get my deleted iPhotos back

Feb 23, 2024 10:38 PM in response to Universe669

Apologies for butting into wrong place, I didn’t know how to ask question.. Thankfor your precise response and I do understand… now how the forum works.. thank you..

Feb 24, 2024 3:09 PM in response to Universe669

gallery

Feb 24, 2024 3:18 PM in response to OthmernHaske

You might want to get the photos back I didn’t no how to recover permanently deleted photos back

Mar 1, 2024 8:00 AM in response to Universe669

I have erased permanently pictures from my Iphone..Now I need to recover those pictures how can I able to recover?.

Mar 12, 2024 4:08 PM in response to Universe669

I mistakenly deleted a very important photo

mjukuu

Level 1

8 points

Mar 26, 2024 6:30 PM in response to Universe669

Can I recover video I permanently deleted?

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Where do Permanently Deleted Photos Go on iPhone?