How to Recover Deleted Photos, Videos, and Contacts on Android/iPhone — Full Guide (2025)
--Losing photos, videos, or contacts can feel devastating — especially when they hold important memories or work-related information. The good news is that smartphones today offer multiple ways to recover your deleted data. Whether you're using an Android or iPhone, many deleted files can be restored easily if you act fast.
In this full 2025 guide, you will learn all recovery methods including cloud recovery, recycle bin recovery, backup retrieval, and specialized tools.
Why Deleted Data Can Still Be Recovered
When you delete something, it usually goes into a temporary trash folder before being permanently erased. Even if permanently deleted, recovery tools may still retrieve the files if they haven't been overwritten.
What Can Usually Be Recovered?
- Photos and videos
- Contacts
- Messages (limited)
- Files from internal storage
How to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos on Android
1. Using Google Photos (Most Reliable)
If Google Photos backup was enabled, your images are safe.
Steps:
- Open Google Photos
- Tap Library → Bin
- Select your deleted photos/videos
- Tap Restore
Recovery Window: 60 days
2. Phone’s Built-In Gallery Trash
Many phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo) have their own recycle bins.
Steps (Generic):
- Open Gallery
- Go to Trash / Recently Deleted
- Select files → Restore
Recovery Window: 30–60 days depending on brand.
3. File Manager Recycle Bin
Some file managers keep deleted files temporarily.
- Open file manager
- Check Recycle Bin
- Restore files
4. Recover Using Google Drive
If files were uploaded or synced:
- Open Google Drive
- Go to Trash
- Restore files
5. Using Recovery Apps (Last Option)
Useful when files were permanently deleted and no backup exists.
Note: These work best on rooted devices.
How to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos on iPhone
1. Photos App “Recently Deleted”
- Open Photos
- Go to Albums
- Scroll down → Recently Deleted
- Select items → Recover
Recovery Window: 30 days
2. iCloud Backup Recovery
If iCloud Photos was enabled, your files are safely backed up.
- Go to iCloud.com
- Open Photos
- Check Recently Deleted
- Restore items
3. Recover Using iTunes/Finder Backup
If you previously backed up your iPhone:
- Connect iPhone to your PC/Mac
- Open iTunes/Finder
- Choose Restore Backup
This may recover all deleted photos and videos.
How to Recover Deleted Contacts on Android
1. Recover from Google Contacts
If your phone syncs contacts, this is the fastest method.
- Visit contacts.google.com
- Click Trash
- Restore deleted contacts
Recovery Window: 30 days
2. Restore Previous Version
- Google Contacts → Settings
- Select Undo Changes
- Choose a time (1 hour, 1 day, 1 week)
- Restore
3. SIM Card Contacts
If contacts were saved on SIM:
- Open Contacts
- Menu → Import from SIM
How to Recover Deleted Contacts on iPhone
1. Restore from iCloud Contacts
- Visit iCloud.com
- Account Settings
- Select Restore Contacts
2. Restore from iTunes/Finder Backup
- Connect iPhone
- Select Restore Backup
This restores all your contacts back to your phone.
Advanced Recovery Options
If the files were permanently deleted and not backed up, advanced tools may help:
- Dr. Fone Data Recovery
- Tenorshare UltData
- iMobie PhoneRescue
- EaseUS MobiSaver
These tools scan internal storage for deleted fragments.
When Recovery May Not Work
- If the data is overwritten by new files
- If storage is encrypted and no backup exists
- If the phone is factory reset without cloud sync
Tips to Increase Recovery Success
- Stop using the phone immediately after deletion
- Turn off mobile data to avoid overwriting
- Use backups regularly to avoid future loss
- Enable auto-sync for photos and contacts
Conclusion
Recovering deleted photos, videos, and contacts is possible in most cases — especially if you act quickly and your cloud backups are active. Android and iPhone both offer powerful built-in recovery tools, and with the right steps, you can restore precious data within minutes.
Internal Links
How to Keep Your Smartphone Safe From Hackers in 2025
Top 10 File Manager Apps with Advanced Features (2025)
Best Free VPNs for Safe Browsing in 2025
External Links
Apple iCloud Support