Check the device’s Recently Deleted/Trash folder (Photos app or Gallery)
Restore from Recently Deleted within the retention window
On iPhone/iPad: Open Photos → Albums → Recently Deleted → Select images → Recover
On Android: Open Google Photos → Library → Trash → Select images → Restore
On Samsung/other Android: Open Gallery/Photos → Trash/Recently Deleted → Restore
Restore from cloud backups (iCloud, Google Photos, OneDrive, Dropbox)
Check if the images were synced to a computer backup (Windows File History, macOS Time Machine)
Restore from external storage backups (USB drives, external HDD/SSD)
Check messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger) for saved media in chat history
Search cloud email attachments (Gmail/Outlook) for the images you may have received
Use the original app’s cloud library (e.g., Instagram, Facebook) to download again if available
If on a camera with a memory card: stop using the card immediately and use recovery software on a computer
Use reputable recovery tools for memory cards/drives (e.g., PhotoRec, Recuva, Disk Drill)
If the deletion was recent and the device supports it, contact the service provider/support for recovery options
For professional recovery, use a data recovery service if the card/drive was overwritten or encryption is involved