Losing photos stored in iCloud can be devastating. Those photos may include irreplaceable memories and moments you can never get back. When photos are deleted from iCloud, is it possible to recover them?
Quick Answer
The quick answer is yes, it is sometimes possible to recover deleted iCloud photos, but the chances of recovery depend on several factors. Deleted iCloud photos may remain recoverable for up to 40 days in the Recently Deleted folder. However, there is no guarantee photos can be recovered once permanently deleted from the Recently Deleted folder.
Can You Recover Deleted iCloud Photos?
Yes, it is possible to recover deleted iCloud photos, but only under certain conditions:
– If the photos were deleted within the last 30 days, they may still be in the Recently Deleted folder. This acts as a temporary holding place for deleted content.
– If the photos were deleted more than 30 days ago, but within the last 40 days, recovery may be possible by contacting Apple Support.
– Beyond 40 days, deleted iCloud photos are likely gone forever and practically unrecoverable through official channels.
So in summary – if caught quickly, recovery is often possible on your own. But beyond 30 days, professional help is needed and the chances of recovery steadily decline over time. Act fast for any hope of getting deleted photos back.
Where Deleted iCloud Photos Go
To understand if and how you can recover deleted iCloud photos, it helps to know where they go after being deleted and what the retention periods are.
Recently Deleted Folder
When you delete photos from iCloud on an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, they are moved to the Recently Deleted folder. This folder acts like a trash bin, keeping removed photos available for recovery for a limited time.
Photos stay in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days. During that time, you can view photos and videos in the folder, recover them to your Photos library, or delete them permanently.
If you don’t restore or permanently erase photos in the Recently Deleted folder, they will be automatically removed after 30 days.
iCloud Retention Period
After being permanently deleted from the Recently Deleted folder, photos still exist in iCloud for up to 40 days past the initial deletion date.
So between the Recently Deleted folder (30 days) and the iCloud retention period (up to 40 days), deleted content lingers for around a month and a half before being permanently erased.
This window provides an opportunity for recovery through Apple Support – but chances decline drastically after 30 days.
Permanent Deletion
Once the 40 day iCloud retention period ends, deleted photos and videos are permanently erased. At this point, recovery is practically impossible through official means. Even Apple Support has no way to rescue photos that have been permanently deleted from iCloud servers.
So for any chance of recovery, it’s critical to act within 40 days – and ideally within 30 days while photos are still in the Recently Deleted folder.
How To Recover Deleted iCloud Photos
If you’ve deleted photos from iCloud storage, here are steps to potentially get them back:
Check Recently Deleted Folder
If the photos were deleted within the last 30 days, the first step is checking the Recently Deleted folder in the Photos app. This offers the quickest and easiest route to recovery.
To view and restore from Recently Deleted:
1. Open the Photos app and select the Albums tab.
2. Scroll down and tap “Recently Deleted”.
3. Preview photos and select ones to recover.
4. Tap “Recover” to restore photos back to your library.
Contact Apple Support
If it has been over 30 days but less than 40 days since the photos were deleted, you can try contacting Apple Support to request recovery:
– Call Apple Support or chat online with an advisor. Explain when the photos were deleted from iCloud.
– Apple will research whether the photos still exist on their servers and attempt to restore them.
– The older the deletion date, the lower your chance of recovery. So request help as soon as possible.
Use Third-Party Software
If you are outside the 30-40 day iCloud retention window, third-party software offers one last resort to recover deleted photos:
– Download software like iMyFone iBypasser or Fonelab iOS Data Recovery.
– Run the program and scan your device for any lingering traces of the deleted iCloud photos.
– The software may be able to retrieve photos that were not fully erased from the device storage.
– However, this method has limited effectiveness and success is not guaranteed.
Preventing Deleted iCloud Photo Loss
While recovering deleted iCloud photos is hit-or-miss, you can take proactive steps to prevent permanent data loss:
Enable iCloud Backup
Keeping regular iCloud backups ensures you have multiple copies of photos and can restore to a previous version if needed.
Use Other Cloud Services
Also maintain copies of photos on alternate cloud storage like Google Photos or Dropbox. More redundant copies means less chance of permanent loss.
Export and Backup Locally
Download photos to external hard drives and devices. Don’t solely rely on the cloud – also have physical backups.
Review Recently Deleted Often
Make a habit of regularly checking the Recently Deleted folder so you can rescue photos before they are permanently erased.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are deleted photos kept in iCloud?
Deleted iCloud photos go to the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days. After that, they may persist on iCloud servers for up to 40 days from the original deletion date. So in total, deleted photos may be recoverable for approximately 40 days.
Can I recover permanently deleted photos from iCloud?
If photos have been permanently deleted from both the Recently Deleted folder and iCloud servers, they are likely gone for good. There is almost no way to recover photos after they have been permanently erased from iCloud after the retention period.
How do I restore photos from Recently Deleted on iPhone?
Open the Photos app > Albums > Recently Deleted. Select photos to restore and tap “Recover” to move them back to your photo library. Just remember to act within 30 days.
Does Apple keep deleted photos?
Yes, Apple keeps deleted iCloud photos in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days. After that, photos may persist on their servers for up to 40 days from the initial deletion date before being permanently removed.
Can deleted photos be recovered from iCloud after a year?
Unfortunately no, it is almost never possible to recover photos deleted from iCloud after a year. The window for iCloud photo recovery is approximately 30-40 days. After that, deleted photos are practically gone forever.
The Bottom Line
While it is possible to recover recently deleted iCloud photos under the right conditions, prevention is key since permanent data loss is irreversible. Use redundant backups, export photos locally, and enable recovery options like the Recently Deleted folder. Acting quickly when photos are deleted gives you the best chance of getting them back.
But once photos are permanently erased after the iCloud retention period, don’t expect any miracles. The deletion becomes permanent, leaving you with an important lesson about regularly backing up your irreplaceable photos and memories.