Most mainstream photo services keep deleted albums recoverable in a Trash or Recently Deleted folder for around 30 days, so check there first, and act quickly since the window does eventually close.
What you need
- The service the album was on
- An idea of roughly when it was deleted, if you know
Retention periods vary by service
Exact retention periods vary between services and can change, so check current documentation for your specific service rather than assuming a fixed number of days.
How to recover the deleted album
- Check the service’s Trash or Recently Deleted folder first. In Google Photos, this is Library > Trash. In Apple Photos or iCloud, it’s Albums > Recently Deleted. Deleted items usually sit here for a set period before permanent removal.
- Find the deleted photos or album within that folder. They’re often sorted by deletion date, so scroll to roughly when you deleted the album.
- Restore them. Select the photos and use the Restore option, which returns them to your main library (the specific album structure may not restore exactly as it was, depending on the service).
- If the window has already closed, check whether you have another copy. An external drive backup, a different synced device that hadn’t yet reflected the deletion, or a downloaded export are all worth checking before assuming the photos are gone for good.
- Once recovered, consider a safer approach for future deletions. Rather than deleting large albums outright, consider archiving or moving them out of your main view first, and only permanently deleting once you’re certain.
Check everything came back
After restoring, confirm the photos appear back in your main library or album view, and open a few to check they’re not corrupted or missing.
If the retention window has already passed
If the retention window has passed and you have no other copy, some services offer limited additional recovery options through their support channels, though success isn’t guaranteed — it’s worth asking rather than assuming it’s hopeless.
Next step
This kind of accidental deletion is exactly why a second, independent copy matters — see Keep a second, independent copy of your most irreplaceable photos.
Sources and date checked
Based on Google Photos’ and Apple’s own published Trash and Recently Deleted documentation; exact retention periods vary and can change, so check current terms for your specific service. Checked 22 September 2026.