How To Check For Deleted Photos On iPhone 2025 (Step-By-Step Tutorial)

Accidentally deleting photos can be an anxiety-inducing event, but fortunately, iPhones have a feature that allows for recovery within a set period. By following this quick tutorial, you’ll learn how to access your recently deleted photos and restore them if needed.

Steps to Check for Deleted Photos on iPhone

  1. Open the Photos Application: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
  2. Access the Main Page: Ensure you’re on the main page where all your photos and videos are displayed.
  3. Navigate to Utilities: Scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen until you see the Utilities section.
  4. View Recently Deleted Album: Tap on the Utilities section, then select the Recently Deleted album.
  5. Authenticate Access: Use Face ID or your iPhone’s passcode to authenticate your access to the recently deleted folder.
  6. Review Deleted Items: Once inside the album, you can see all recently deleted photos and videos.
  7. Check Timeframe: Look at each item to see the number of days remaining before they are permanently removed.
  8. Permanently Delete or Restore: If desired, you can choose to permanently delete items or potentially restore them before they expire.

Key Tips and Considerations

When using an iPhone, the Recently Deleted album acts as a temporary holding chamber for your deleted photos and videos. This feature is crucial because it gives users a safety net; images or videos that might have been deleted accidentally can be retrieved within a 30-day window. However, it’s vital to remember to act quickly if you wish to restore a particular image, as once this time lapses, the items will be erased permanently.

Watch the video version: How To Check For Deleted Photos On iPhone 2026 (Step-By-Step Tutorial)

In scenarios where restoring a deleted photo is urgent, familiarizing oneself with this process in advance can be advantageous. It’s also important to keep in mind that this temporary album requires authentication, emphasizing the need for security even within your device. By learning how to efficiently navigate this feature, you can gain peace of mind knowing that your treasured memories can be recovered, should they be deleted by mistake.

Remember that keeping your iPhone software up to date ensures that you have the latest security features and access to the most recent improvements to functionality, such as managing your photos effectively.