Recovering Deleted Photos After Factory Reset

Published by Sam on May 17, 2025

Photo Recovery can often seem like an impossible task, especially after a factory reset when important memories may seem irretrievably lost.

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In this article, we will explore various methods to recover deleted photos, from leveraging powerful recovery applications to restoring images from cloud backups like Google Photos.

With the right tools and techniques, you may find hope in recovering those precious moments that slipped away.

We will also discuss essential steps such as enabling USB debugging to maximize the effectiveness of certain recovery tools.

Let’s dive into the world of photo recovery techniques and reclaim your lost memories.

Understanding Data Loss After a Factory Reset

A factory reset wipes all data stored internally on your device because the system restores itself to its original state.

During this process, all personal user data—including photos, videos, and saved files—is permanently erased from internal memory.

Modern Android devices use encryption, and once reset, the decryption key is lost, making prior data unrecoverable without backups.

This is not only intentional for privacy reasons but also critical if you’re selling or repurposing your phone.

Accidental factory resets or software issues like boot loops can unexpectedly delete your photo library before you get a chance to back up.

Regular backups are crucial if you want to avoid the stress of permanent data loss.

Fortunately, recovery may still be possible through trusted methods.

Solutions such as cloud restoration services or apps like PhoneRescue by iMobie and Wondershare Recoverit allow some chances of retrieving lost content.

• Cloud backup check
• Using data recovery apps
• Exploring built-in recovery options

Google Photos and OneDrive Walk-Through

On Google Photos, users can quickly recover recently deleted images by accessing the Trash folder, also known as the Bin.

To do this, open the app or go to the Google Photos web version, tap on Library, and then select Trash.

Once there, users can browse deleted photos, select the ones they want back, and tap Restore to return them to the gallery.

Photos remain in Trash for 30 days, after which they are permanently deleted.

For OneDrive, restoring deleted content involves navigating to the Recycle Bin through the mobile or web interface.

After logging in, tap the menu and select Recycle Bin where all removed files—including photos—are held.

Users can then choose the images they wish to recover and use the Restore option to return them to their original folders.

According to Microsoft, items stay in the Recycle Bin for 30 days on personal accounts, giving users a limited but sufficient window to undo deletions.

For support and additional help recovering files, you can visit the Microsoft OneDrive Recycle Bin guide.

Navigating iCloud’s Recently Deleted Folder

To recover recently deleted photos after a factory reset on your iPhone or iPad, start by opening the Photos app.

Then tap Albums at the bottom, and scroll down to find the Recently Deleted folder.

From there, tap Select in the top-right corner, choose the photos you want to recover, and tap Recover in the bottom-right corner.

Restore within 30 days or data is permanently removed, as iOS automatically erases files from this folder after that period.

This method is only possible if the reset occurred within that recovery window and the photos were still stored locally or synced through iCloud Photos.

On a computer, head over to iCloud.com and sign in using your Apple ID.

Once logged in, click on Photos and then locate the Recently Deleted section from the sidebar.

Similar to the iPhone steps, you can choose which images to restore and click Recover to bring them back to your iCloud Photos library.

According to Google’s recovery guidelines, deleted data is only temporarily held before being fully erased—making time a crucial factor in successful recovery.

Desktop Software Workflow

1. Step 1: Install the recovery software — Download and install a reliable tool like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or PhotoRec, ensuring it’s compatible with your operating system.
2. Step 2: Grant necessary permissions — Allow admin access during installation so the program can scan deeply across drives for deleted files.
3. Step 3: Launch a deep scan — Select the drive where your photos were lost and enable deep scan to retrieve all recoverable data instead of a quick scan, which may miss vital files.
4. Step 4: Preview discovered content — Once scanning is complete, you can preview image thumbnails, filtering by date, file type, or name to locate relevant media.
5. Step 5: Recover and export photos — Choose a safe location other than the scanned drive to export recovered images, so you avoid overwriting still-recoverable data.
6. Step 6: Safely close the application — After confirming recovered files, end the session properly to prevent system conflicts or save settings for future use.

Mobile App Workflow Without a Computer

Installing a trusted photo recovery app directly on your phone offers a convenient way to retrieve deleted pictures without needing a computer.

Options like DiskDigger, iMyFone D-Back, and EaseUS MobiSaver let users scan internal memory or SD cards for recoverable data.

After installation, these apps usually prompt for permissions like storage access and media file control.

Granting these is essential for success, as the app requires deep-level access to scan for deleted photos.

Rooting may void warranty, so opt for apps that support recovery without root access whenever possible.

Once photos are retrieved, save them immediately to a secure location such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or directly to the SD card to prevent irreversible loss.

Some recovery apps include direct sharing or storage-saving features to make the process seamless.

For example, DroidKit simplifies cloud saving right after scan completion.

Always verify recovered files before closing the app.

To avoid future data loss, regularly back up media files using an automatic sync feature included with most cloud solutions.

This small habit dramatically improves your long-term data security.

Preparing Android Devices with Developer Options

Activating USB Debugging is an essential step in enabling data recovery tools to access your Android device’s internal storage.

Tools like AnyRecover and MobiSaver for Android require this feature to establish communication between your phone and the computer.

Without USB Debugging, these apps cannot scan or recover deleted photos, making it a necessary step for successful recovery.

This is particularly true following a factory reset where advanced access is needed to retrieve residual data in unallocated partitions.

To begin, you must activate Developer Options.

On your Android device, go to Settings, then scroll to About phone.

From there, locate the Build number and tap it seven times.

You will see a message confirming Developer Options is now enabled.

Next, return to Settings and open System > Advanced > Developer Options.

Within this menu, toggle on USB Debugging.

The table below displays each step for easy reference:

While USB Debugging is useful, it can pose security risks if left enabled.

This feature removes barriers between your device and connected PCs, meaning that malicious access becomes easier.

Thus, once your file recovery is complete, it is crucial to return to Developer Options and switch off USB Debugging.

As confirmed in Google’s Pixel support forum, the option cannot be enabled in recovery mode, reinforcing the need to plan ahead.

Keeping USB Debugging off when not in active use significantly reduces risk and protects your personal data.

In conclusion, while recovering deleted photos after a factory reset may pose challenges, utilizing the right applications and backup methods can significantly improve your chances.

Remember to stay proactive with backups to safeguard your cherished memories in the future.

Enable USB Debugging in 3 Steps!