How to Restore Deleted Photos in Google Photos (Trash Guide)
- Open Collections, then Trash, press and hold the item and tap Restore (Android steps from Google).
- Google lists different recovery windows depending on backup status and device, so act quickly.
- Permanently deleted items cannot be restored, and emptying the trash is immediate.
- Check your device's gallery trash as well, because copies can remain there.
Deleted the wrong photo? Do not panic yet. Google Photos has a trash where deleted items wait for a limited time. This guide explains how to use it and where the limits are. For more about the app, see our Google Photos guide.
Sources and accuracy
We used two Google Photos Help pages, "Restore recently deleted photos & videos" and the page about deleted items, read in October 2026. Google's pages gave full steps for Android. iPhone and computer steps are on Google's page tabs, which we could not read. Time limits can change.
Restore on Android
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Tap Collections at the bottom, then Trash.
- Press and hold the photo or video you want back.
- Tap Restore at the bottom.
Google says the item returns to its former albums, your Google Photos library and your phone's gallery app.
How long can you restore?
Google's restore page lists these conditions:
- Backed up: restorable if moved to the trash less than 60 days ago.
- Not backed up: restorable if moved to the trash less than 30 days ago on an Android 11 or newer device, and not permanently deleted from the gallery app.
- Any backup status: only if you have not emptied the trash or permanently deleted the item from it.
A separate Google page about deleted items says that backed-up items stay in the trash for 30 days. Since the numbers differ between pages, do not rely on the longer period. Restore as soon as you notice.
What if it is not in the trash?
- It may have been permanently deleted. Google says these cannot be restored, even with Google Takeout.
- You may have emptied the trash. That deletes everything in it immediately.
- If you see a "Delete permanently" prompt when deleting, the trash may be full.
- A copy may still be in your phone's gallery app trash or on a removable SD card.
- Check Archive. Archived photos are hidden, not deleted.
Prevent accidents
- Keep backup turned on and check the status.
- Before you free up space on your phone, confirm backup is complete.
- Avoid emptying the trash unless you are sure.
- Remember that deleting in Google Photos also deletes the item from your device and other devices with backup on.
Frequently asked questions
Does restoring put the photo back in my gallery? According to Google, yes, on Android it returns to your gallery app too.
Can Google recover a photo permanently deleted last year? Google's pages say permanently deleted content cannot be restored.
Why is my storage still full after deleting? Items in the trash still use storage until they are permanently deleted. Google says large deletions can take 48 to 72 hours to show in totals. See our storage guide.
Official links
See also backup settings and Mobile Apps.
Sources checked: Google Photos Help pages above (October 2026).