How to Recover Photos from Google Drive Easily and Quickly

Lost your photos in Google Drive? Don’t worry! Follow this complete guide and discover the easiest ways to recover your images in minutes.

Anúncios

Lost Your Google Drive Photos? Here’s How to Get Them Back Effortlessly.

Losing precious photos stored in Google Drive can feel devastating. Whether they are family memories, important work images, or vacation photos, these digital treasures are too valuable to lose forever.

But here’s the good news: Google Drive has several built-in features and tools to help you recover deleted or missing photos. And even if those don’t work, there are still advanced strategies and third-party solutions you can use to increase your chances of recovery.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to recover photos from Google Drive — step by step, in a simple and practical way.

Contenido recomendado
card

Recover your lost photos.

Check out the full article on how to restore deleted pictures
Read article
Permanecerás en el mismo sitio.

1. Check Google Drive Trash First (Quick & Easy)

Did you know that deleted files in Google Drive aren’t permanently lost right away? Google Drive automatically moves deleted photos to the Trash (or Bin), where they stay for 30 days.

How to Check and Restore from Trash:

  1. Open Google Drive.
  2. On the left sidebar, click on Trash.
  3. Look for your missing photos.
  4. Right-click on the photo and select Restore.

That’s it! The photo will go back to its original folder.

Anúncios

Pro Tip: Use the search bar in Trash to search by file name or file type, like .jpg or .png, to speed up the process.

2. Recover Photos from Google Photos Linked to Google Drive

If your photos were automatically backed up to Google Photos, you have another recovery option.

Steps to Restore from Google Photos:

  1. Visit Google Photos.
  2. Check Trash on Google Photos (items stay there for 60 days).
  3. Select the photos you want to recover.
  4. Click Restore.

Reminder: Google Drive and Google Photos used to sync automatically. If your settings allowed it, your missing photos might still be in Google Photos even if deleted from Drive.

3. Recover Photos via Google Drive Support

If your deleted photos are not in Trash and it’s been more than 30 days, don’t give up yet! Google Drive Support can sometimes help you recover files permanently deleted — especially if the loss was recent.

How to Contact Google Support for File Recovery:

  1. Go to Google Drive Help.
  2. Scroll down and click Contact Us.
  3. Choose Missing or deleted files.
  4. Explain your situation clearly and request recovery.

Important: The sooner you contact support, the better your chances of recovery.

4. Use Google Account Activity to Track Deleted Files

Sometimes users accidentally delete files without realizing it. To check recent activity on your Google Drive:

Check Your Activity:

  1. Open Google Drive.
  2. On the left panel, click Activity.
  3. Look for actions like Deleted or Moved to Trash next to your photos.

This can help you identify when the photo was deleted and guide your next recovery steps.

“Here’s an app that can help.”

App
card

Dr.Fone

Free Photos
Recover your photos for free.
Learn more

5. Restore from a Shared Drive or Another Account

Did someone else share the photo with you? Check if the original owner still has it.

What to Do:

  • Ask collaborators or family members to check their Google Drive or Google Photos.
  • Look in the Shared with me section on Google Drive.
  • Search your email for file-sharing notifications.

This method is often overlooked but can be a lifesaver!

6. Recover Photos Using Google Vault (For Business or Education Accounts)

If your Google account is linked to a business, school, or organization, there’s a chance that deleted files are retained longer via Google Vault.

Steps:

  • Contact your organization’s Google Admin.
  • Request recovery of deleted photos through Google Vault retention policies.

Note: This option depends on your organization’s settings.

7. Use Backup Services or Third-Party Tools

Did you back up your Google Drive files with other services like:

  • Dropbox
  • OneDrive
  • iCloud
  • External hard drives

Or even used a Google Takeout download before?

These can be another way to recover missing photos.

Alternatively, tools like SysTools Google Drive Recovery or EaseUS Data Recovery claim to help with Google Drive photo recovery, but use caution and read reviews before trying third-party software.

8. Prevent Future Photo Loss — Best Practices

After recovering your photos, it’s time to protect them for good.

Tips to Prevent Losing Photos Again:

  • Enable automatic backup to Google Photos.
  • Use Google Takeout to download backups regularly.
  • Store copies on multiple platforms (cloud + external drive).
  • Turn on 2-Step Verification for account security.
  • Organize folders properly to avoid accidental deletion.

9. Final Thoughts: Is It Really Possible to Recover All Photos?

Realistically, if it’s been over 30 days and the photos were permanently deleted without backup, recovery becomes difficult — but not impossible.

That’s why acting fast is your best strategy.

Remember:

  • Trash = 30 Days
  • Google Photos Trash = 60 Days
  • Support = Contact as soon as possible
  • Backup = Always your best friend!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can permanently deleted photos be recovered from Google Drive?

If it’s been less than 25 days after permanent deletion (and outside Trash), contacting Google Support is your best chance. Otherwise, backups or shared files might help.

Is Google Drive Recovery free?

Yes, recovering from Trash or Google Photos is 100% free. Third-party recovery tools may charge a fee.

How to recover photos from Google Drive on mobile?

  1. Open Google Drive app.
  2. Go to Trash.
  3. Find and restore your photos.

Or use Google Photos app for synced photos.

What happens if I delete photos from Google Drive but they’re in Google Photos?

They will remain in Google Photos unless you deleted them from both places. Always check both platforms.

How long do deleted files stay in Google Drive Trash?

Google Drive keeps deleted files in Trash for 30 days before automatically deleting them permanently.

Conclusion: Recovering Google Drive Photos Is Possible!

Losing photos on Google Drive is stressful — but now you know that recovery is often possible with quick action and the right strategies.

Don’t wait too long to act.

→ Check Trash
→ Look in Google Photos
→ Contact Google Support
→ Explore backups

And most importantly — start backing up your photos today to avoid future heartaches!

Did this guide help you recover your photos from Google Drive?
Let me know in the comments!

Childhood Photos Can Be Recovered – Here’s How

Read More

Every Photo Tells a Story – Recover Yours

Read More

Don’t Lose Your Memories – Recover Your Photos

Read More

Disclaimer

Under no circumstance we will require you to pay in order to release any type of product, including credit cards, loans or any other offer. If this happens, please contact us immediately. Always read the terms and conditions of the service provider you are reaching out to. We make money from advertising and referrals for some but not all products displayed in this website. Everything published here is based on quantitative and qualitative research, and our team strives to be as fair as possible when comparing competing options.

Advertiser Disclosure

We are an independent, objective, advertising-supported content publisher website. In order to support our ability to provide free content to our users, the recommendations that appear on our site might be from companies from which we receive affiliate compensation. Such compensation may impact how, where and in which order offers appear on our site. Other factors such as our own proprietary algorithms and first party data may also affect how and where products/offers are placed. We do not include all currently available financial or credit offers in the market in our website.

Editorial Note

Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. That said, the compensation we receive from our affiliate partners does not influence the recommendations or advice our team of writers provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the content on this website. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we believe our users will find relevant, we cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.