how to recover permanently deleted photos on iphone 6?

If you’re trying to understand how photo deletion works on an iPhone 6, it’s helpful to know the different ways photos can be removed and what that means for recovering lost images. The iPhone 6 has several options for deleting photos, and each impacts whether you can retrieve the images later. This guide will walk you through the types of deletion and their effects on your data.

Types of Photo Deletion on iPhone 6

1. Swiping to Delete: When you swipe a photo to delete it from your Photos app, it isn’t gone completely right away. Instead, it moves to the “Recently Deleted” album, where it stays for 30 days. During this time, you can recover the photo if needed.
2. Emptying the Recently Deleted Album: If you delete photos from the “Recently Deleted” album, they are removed permanently. After this, recovering the photos becomes much more difficult, often requiring specialized software.
3. Using the Delete All Button: For quick deletion, some users tap “Delete All” in albums or selections. Just like individual deletions, this moves images to the “Recently Deleted” folder first.
4. Factory Reset or Erasing All Content: Performing a factory reset erases all data on the iPhone 6, including photos. This method deletes everything permanently and should be used cautiously.

Impact on Data Recovery

Understanding how deletion impacts data recovery is key. When photos are simply moved to the “Recently Deleted” folder, you can recover them easily within 30 days. To do this, open the Photos app, go to “Albums,” then tap “Recently Deleted.” Select the photos you want to restore and tap “Recover.”

However, once you empty this folder or perform a factory reset, recovery becomes more complex. Deleted photos are not immediately overwritten but can be lost forever if not recovered soon. Data recovery from an erased iPhone 6 usually requires specialized tools or backup restoration. If you’ve backed up your device via iCloud or iTunes before deletion, you may restore your photos from those backups.

Important Tips

• If you accidentally delete a photo, check the “Recently Deleted” album quickly; you have 30 days to recover it.
• Avoid deleting large batches of photos without backing up, especially if they are important.
• Regularly back up your iPhone 6 to iCloud or your computer to safeguard your photos.
• Be cautious before performing factory resets, as they delete all data permanently.

Common Causes of Photo Loss

Photo loss can happen for many reasons, often unexpectedly. Understanding the common causes helps you prevent or recover lost images more effectively. Some of the typical reasons include accidental deletion, software glitches, or hardware damage. Identifying the root cause can save you time and frustration when trying to restore your cherished memories.

One of the most frequent reasons for missing photos is accidental deletion. It’s easy to press the wrong button or swipe mistakenly, especially on touchscreen devices like smartphones or tablets. For instance, during a quick photo review, you might think a photo is unnecessary and delete it without realizing. This mistake is common but often reversible if caught early.

Software issues also contribute to photo loss. Updates to your device’s operating system or photo app can sometimes cause unexpected problems. Corrupted apps, malfunctioning storage, or file system errors may lead to photos disappearing or becoming inaccessible. For example, a sudden crash during photo transfer could corrupt the file, rendering it useless.

Device damage is another major cause. Physical issues such as drops, water exposure, or hardware failures can damage internal storage or the physical media where your photos are stored. If the storage chip gets damaged, your photos may become unrecoverable without professional help. Even a faulty memory card used in cameras or smartphones might result in missing images.

Additionally, virus or malware infections can cause data corruption or deletion. Sometimes malicious software targets your photo files or storage devices, leading to loss or inaccessibility. This is more common when connecting external drives or downloading files from untrusted sources.

Other causes include formatting errors when managing storage devices. Accidentally formatting your SD card or internal storage wipes out all data, including your photos. Also, incomplete backups or failed synchronization with cloud services can result in missing images that you believed were safely stored online.

Being aware of these common causes of photo loss helps you take proactive steps to prevent it. Regular backups, careful handling of storage devices, and avoiding suspicious links or downloads can greatly reduce the risk. In the next sections, we will discuss how to recover photos lost due to these issues, so you can protect your memories effectively.

Check the Recently Deleted Album

If you’re trying to recover photos on your iPhone 6, the first place to look is the Recently Deleted album in the Photos app. When you delete a photo, it doesn’t immediately leave your device. Instead, it moves to this album, where it stays for about 30 days before being permanently deleted. This feature helps you recover accidentally deleted images easily.

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone 6. It’s the app with a colorful flower icon.
2. Tap on the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Scroll down until you see the “Recently Deleted” album. It usually appears towards the bottom and may have a trash bin icon next to it.
4. Tap on “Recently Deleted” to open the album. Here, you’ll see all photos that have been deleted within the last 30 days.

Once you open this album, you can review the photos to see which ones you want to recover. Remember, if a photo has been there for more than 30 days, it will be automatically removed from this album and cannot be recovered through this method.

• If you find the photo you want, tap “Select” in the top right corner.
• Choose the photo(s) you want to recover by tapping on them.
• After selecting, tap “Recover” at the bottom right. The photos will return to your main Photos album.

If you don’t see your photos in the Recently Deleted album, or if the recovery period has passed, you might need to explore other options like restoring from a backup or using third-party recovery tools. But for most accidental deletes within the last month, this method works quickly and easily.

Keep in mind that regularly checking this album can prevent accidental permanent deletion. If you often delete photos by mistake, consider enabling backups or managing photos carefully to avoid losing important memories permanently.

Recover Photos from iCloud Backup

If you have accidentally deleted photos and want to restore them, using an iCloud backup can be an effective solution. iCloud stores a copy of your data, including photos, so you can retrieve lost images with a few simple steps. This method is especially helpful if you regularly back up your iPhone or iPad to iCloud. Before starting, make sure you have a recent iCloud backup that contains your missing photos.

1. Check Your Last Backup: First, verify that your photos are included in the backup. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. Tap on your device to see the date and size of your last backup.
2. Restore from iCloud Backup: You will need to erase your device to restore from an iCloud backup. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Confirm the action, and your device will restart.
3. Set Up Your Device: After the device restarts, follow the setup prompts. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, select Restore from iCloud Backup.
4. Sign Into iCloud: Enter your Apple ID and password. Choose the backup that contains your missing photos. Ensure the backup date is recent enough to include the images you want to recover.
5. Wait for Restoration: The device will download the backup. The process may take some time depending on the size of the backup and your internet connection. Keep your device connected to Wi-Fi and power during this step.
6. Complete Setup: After the restoration finishes, your device will restart. Follow remaining setup steps, and your photos should appear in your Photos app.

If you notice certain photos are still missing after restoring, don’t worry. Sometimes, photos may not be included in the backup if they were deleted before the backup was made. You can also check iCloud.com: sign in with your Apple ID and go to the Photos section. If the images are there, you can manually download them or enable Photos syncing to retrieve missing images.

Remember, restoring from an iCloud backup replaces your current data with the backup state. Make sure to back up your current data before proceeding if you want to keep recent changes. Also, avoid interrupting the restore process or disconnecting from Wi-Fi, as it could cause issues or data corruption.

Use iTunes to Restore Deleted Photos

If you’ve accidentally deleted photos from your iPhone 6 and want to recover them, using iTunes backup and restore processes can be an effective solution. This method works if you have previously backed up your device to iTunes on your computer. Restoring from a backup will replace current data with the information saved at the time of backup, so make sure you choose the correct backup file if you have multiple.

Before starting, ensure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. Also, connect your iPhone 6 with a reliable USB cable and back up any new data you want to keep, as the restore process may overwrite current data on your device.

Steps to Restore Photos Using iTunes

1. Connect your iPhone 6 to your computer using a USB cable. Launch iTunes if it does not start automatically.
2. Select your iPhone in iTunes by clicking on the device icon near the top left corner of the window.
3. Back up your current data if necessary. To do this, click on Back Up Now. This saves your current data in case you want to restore it later.
4. Find the Restore Backup button in the Summary tab. Click it to see available backups.
5. Choose a backup that predates the deletion of your photos. Look at the date and time to pick the most relevant one.
6. Click Restore. Confirm your choice if prompted. iTunes will erase your device and restore it from the selected backup.
7. Wait for the restoration process to complete. Your iPhone will restart during this process. Keep it connected until it finishes and shows the lock screen.

Additional Tips

• If you do not see your photos after restoring, check the backup’s date. Some photos may not be included if they were added after the backup date.
• Always keep regular backups to prevent data loss. Set up automatic backups via iTunes or iCloud for safety.
• If the photos are not in the backup, consider other recovery options such as third-party data recovery tools or checking iCloud if you had sync enabled.

Remember, restoring from iTunes backup will replace current data on your iPhone 6, so be sure to save any new information before starting the process. With patience, you can recover your deleted photos and bring back those precious memories.

Try Third-Party Data Recovery Tools

If you have accidentally deleted photos that cannot be recovered through basic methods, using third-party data recovery tools can offer a new chance. These software solutions are specifically designed to scan your device deeply and locate files that seem permanently lost. They are often more powerful than built-in tools, especially for recovering photos that have been emptied from the recycle bin or deleted using shift+delete.

Before choosing a recovery tool, it is important to consider compatibility with your device and file types. Many programs support Windows, Mac, and even external storage devices like USB drives and SD cards. Some well-known options include Recuva, Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Stellar Data Recovery. Most offer free versions with limited recovery capabilities, so you can test if your photos are recoverable before purchasing.

To use a third-party recovery tool effectively, follow these general steps:

1. Download and install the software from a reputable source. Be cautious to avoid fake or malicious programs that could harm your computer.
2. Launch the program and select the drive or location where your photos were stored before deletion. If you are unsure, choose the entire disk for a thorough scan.
3. Start the scanning process. This can take from a few minutes to several hours depending on disk size and speed. Some tools offer quick scans for recently deleted files and deep scans for more complex recoveries.
4. Once the scan is complete, browse the list of recoverable files. Use filters or preview options to locate your photos quickly.
5. Select the photos you want to recover and save them to a different drive or folder. Avoid saving recovered files to the same location they were deleted from, as this may overwrite other recoverable data.

While third-party tools are powerful, they are not foolproof. Successful recovery depends on whether new data has overwritten the deleted files. It is best to stop using the device immediately after deletion to increase recovery chances. Additionally, always download recovery software from trusted sources to avoid malware risks.

Remember, some free recovery tools have limitations, like only recovering a certain number of files or only scanning for specific formats. If your photos are very important and you cannot recover them using free tools, investing in a paid version or consulting a professional data recovery service might be worthwhile.

Tips to Prevent Future Photo Loss

Photo loss can be distressing, but there are simple best practices to help safeguard your memories. Implementing these tips can prevent accidental deletion, data corruption, or hardware issues from causing permanent loss. By staying proactive, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your photos are protected.

1. Create Regular Backups: Always back up your photos regularly. Use cloud services like Google Photos, iCloud, or Dropbox for automatic backups. Additionally, consider an external hard drive or USB drive as a physical backup option. Setting a weekly or monthly schedule ensures your photos are up to date and safe.
2. Organize and Label Photos: Keep your photos well-organized in folders with clear names. This reduces the chance of deleting or overwriting files by mistake. Use albums or tags to easily locate and manage specific photos, especially if you have thousands.
3. Use Reliable Storage Devices: Invest in quality memory cards, external drives, and devices. Avoid cheap, generic storage options as they are more prone to failure. Always eject devices safely and keep them in a cool, dry place to prolong their lifespan.
4. Be Careful During File Management: When deleting or moving files, double-check that you are selecting the right photos. Use the “undo” feature if available, and review files before confirming deletion. Avoid bulk deleting without review to prevent accidental data loss.
5. Update Software and Devices: Keep your camera firmware, photo editing apps, and operating system up to date. Updates often fix bugs and improve security, reducing the chances of data corruption or loss due to technical issues.
6. Enable Automatic Syncing: Use cloud synchronization tools that automatically sync new photos from your devices. This reduces manual effort and ensures your latest images are stored off-site, safeguarding against device failure or theft.
7. Use Write Protection or Read-Only Modes: When transferring photos from SD cards or external drives, enable write protection if available. This prevents accidental overwriting or deletion during file transfer.
8. Stay Cautious with Software and Third-Party Apps: Only use reputable photo editing or management software. Avoid untrusted programs that might modify or delete files without warning. Regularly scan your system for malware that could corrupt data.
9. Keep Hardware in Good Condition: Ensure your devices are free from dust, moisture, and physical damage. Regularly inspect cables, ports, and devices. Hardware failure is a common cause of data loss, so proper care extends their lifespan.
10. Learn Basic Troubleshooting: Familiarize yourself with recovery options like file restore, data recovery tools, or cloud version histories. Quick action can often recover accidentally deleted photos before they are permanently gone.

By following these simple tips, you greatly improve your chances of preventing future photo loss. Remember, consistent backup habits and careful file management are your best defenses. Take a few minutes today to organize and secure your photo collection, so your memories stay safe for years to come.