Deleted files from Photo booth

It's possible that the missing pictures are still lurking in a hidden directory that Photo Booth uses for files on their way to being permanently deleted. Examine the contents of

/private/var/folders/xV/ [random string] /-Tmp-/com.apple.PhotoBooth/IntermediateTrashDirectory

But let me warn you that the folder may not exist or it may be empty. Under normal operating conditions, Photo Booth shunts files from IntermediateTrashDirectory to Trash, then cleans up after itself.

Where are those ten old pictures that do show up in PB? In your Pictures/Photo Booth folder? There's nothing else in that folder?

And just to verify: You're using 10.6.8 and Photo Booth 3.0.3?

Two ways:

1. Click on the Desktop, Go > Go to Folder . . .

Type /private/var/folders/xV/ and then click the "Go" button.

Select the first long folder named with a long random string--it will be called something like xVQyXhFR3SDRa1Qk+1YghB5++++TI.

Continue navigating deeper to the -Tmp- folder, then to com.apple.PhotoBooth/IntermediateTrashDirectory (if it exists).

You may have multiple folders with long random names in /private/var/folders/xV/. You'll want to go through each one in search of IntermediateTrashDirectory.

2. If you have EasyFind (or a similar non-Spotlight search app) installed, just search for the hidden folder called IntermediateTrashDirectory.

I have no idea whether such a folder would survive an upgrade to Lion. I wouldn't think so. Even in Snow Leopard, the folder is supposed to be only a temporary holding area.

What about

/private/var/folders/

?

Search through whatever you can there. Most you won't be able to browse--you'll see red padlocks on the ones you can't enter.

Photo Booth's operation is idiosyncratic in many ways. That's another thread.

To recap:

1. There is no backup (I assume).

2. Missing PB files aren't in Pictures/Photo Booth.

3. Missing PB files aren't in the Trash.

4. IntermediateTrashDirectory is empty.

5. Data recovery software hasn't found the files.

I think you've exhausted your direct recovery options. Indirectly, if you mailed any of these photos to others, you may be able to recover them from your Sent mail folder (in Mail) or the equivalent in other mail applications.

It is unbelievable to me that Apple allowed virtually permanent deletion of data with one click. Goes against all rules and common sense. Wht not just have the pics go into the Trash folder? I hope this has been fixed in subsequent OS's. I'm still on SL, and will be extra vigilant after reading this.

Does this still apply to the current macbook air computer and updated versions? I understand that when something is deleted, it is still on your computer, but it only takes up space until something else takes its place. Is it possible to recover photo booth images that were deleted about a month ago? Someone had deleted pictures without my knowledge, and when I went to look for them, they are no longer there. It ***** that I just found out and I'm hoping that there is a way...? 😟 I found the folder that you said before (IntermediateTrashDirectory) and it was empty. To test it, I deleted a picture, emptied my trash, and looked again for the folder and it was still empty.. so I'm not quite understanding how this works. You seem knowledgable, can you please help?

I know this is a really late reply but for anyone that is currently experiencing this,

DO NOT CLOSE THE PHOTO BOOTH WINDOW. Just click command+z. This will undo the deletion of your files. I am not exactly sure what happens once you close it. But this just happened to me and it works.

Good luck.

You rock dar2d2!!

Seriously...so simple yet so effective!

I am sooooo happy I did NOT CLOSE the app so I was able to "undo" (cmd + z)

My only regret is I didn't think of that one myself ;-)

Back up your files people. If you have never done it before it is very simple. Get a simple external drive, plug it in and turn on Time Machine. That's it your done. Your computer will do the rest. It's not worth losing family memories if something gets accidentally deleted.

As already suggeted : use time machine to avoid the accidental delete stress.

Navigate via Finder to Pictures, select "Photo Booth-Library". Via Right click "Show packet content". This is the location of the lost pictures/movies. Now open time machine and go back to a date in the past before the delete. Select the missing files and put them back.

If you keep your drive branched you have plenty of time to recover any deleted file.

thanks a lot. it worked

Thank you so much ! i had the same issue and i didnt close out and the cmnd Z worked. youve saved my documented memories <3