Can I recover deleted photos from 5 years ago?
Asked by: Dr. Cynthia Hirthe | Last update: January 27, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (11 votes)
Recovering photos deleted 5 years ago is extremely unlikely, as they're usually permanently gone after 30-60 days in cloud/app trash folders or once storage space is overwritten on a device. Your best bet is to check any cloud backups (Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive, Dropbox) for an "Recently Deleted" folder or archive, but if they were cleared from there or never backed up, they're generally lost, especially on modern SSDs with TRIM.
How far back can deleted photos be recovered?
You can restore recently deleted photos and videos that are still in your trash. Items that are permanently deleted can't be restored. Backed up photos and videos stay in your trash for 60 days. Photos and videos that weren't backed up stay in your trash for 30 days.
Can you recover deleted photos on an iPhone from years ago?
Unfortunately, no, there isn't. The recovery period is either 30 days, 180 days, or one year, depending on the plan and options you have. It's not possible for any account to recover files from years ago.
How to recover 10 year old photos?
Can You Recover Deleted Photos from Years Ago?
- Use a Photo Recovery Software. ...
- Recover Photos Using File History (Windows) ...
- Try Windows Backup and Restore. ...
- Recover Deleted Photos from Google Drive. ...
- Use Google Photos Sync. ...
- iCloud or iTunes Backup for iPhone Photos. ...
- Mac Users: Try Time Machine.
Can you get back permanently deleted images?
Please note, according to Google Policy, once photos or videos are deleted from your Google Photos Bin/Trash, they are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
How To Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Windows PC for Free | 2024
Can Apple recover permanently deleted photos?
Recover a deleted photo or video. When you delete a photo or video, it goes to the Recently Deleted album. Anything in your Recently Deleted album stays there for 30 days. After 30 days, it's permanently deleted and you can't get it back.
Are permanently deleted files actually deleted?
No, "permanently deleted" files aren't truly gone; the operating system just removes the file's address, marking the space as available, but the actual data (the "ones and zeros") stays until new data overwrites it, meaning they're often recoverable with data recovery software. To securely erase data, you need data wiping software that overwrites the sectors or physically destroys the drive.
How to recover 3 years back deleted photos?
The only way is to use a professional photo recovery software — Stellar Photo Recovery. This advanced software comprehensively scans old hard drives, SSDs, SD cards, flash drives, and other types of memory cards to retrieve photos deleted years ago.
Does Walgreens restore old photos?
No, Walgreens no longer offers in-house photo restoration services directly through their stores or kiosks, having discontinued that offering due to issues with third-party vendors and long wait times. While they still do basic photo printing and repairs (like color correction or enlarging), you'll need to use online specialists or local professional labs for true old photo restoration (fixing tears, fading, water damage).
Do deleted photos stay on iCloud?
Yes, if you use iCloud Photos (syncing), deleting a photo from your iPhone also deletes it from iCloud and all other synced devices, but it goes to the "Recently Deleted" folder for 30 days, giving you time to recover it. If you don't use iCloud Photos (syncing) and rely on iCloud Backup, deleting photos from your phone won't affect your backup until the next backup happens, but it's a less direct way to manage space. To keep photos in iCloud while freeing up phone space, enable "Optimize Storage" in iCloud Photos settings.
Are iPhone photos actually permanently deleted?
When you delete photos and videos, they go to your Recently Deleted album for 30 days. After 30 days, they'll be permanently deleted. If you use iCloud Photos, and delete photos and videos from one device, the photos and videos will be deleted on your other devices.
Can permanently deleted photos be recovered without backup on iPhone?
You can also go to the iCloud Recently Delete section to find if the deleted photos are here, and recover them if required. If you cannot find the permanently deleted photos from the two services, which means that you cannot recover permanently deleted photos on your iPhone without backup.
How do I recover permanently deleted photos from iPhoto?
Recover photos and videos
- Go to icloud.com/photos, then sign in to your (if necessary).Apple Account.
- Select the Recently Deleted album in the sidebar.
- Select the photos or videos you want to recover, then select Recover.
Can police recover permanently deleted photos?
Yes, it is still possible for police forensic tools to recover deleted photos, even if you deleted them from the Recently Deleted folder. However, the likelihood depends on several factors: If the phone is locked and encrypted: If they can't bypass your passcode, it becomes much harder to extract data.
Can permanently deleted items be recovered?
Yes, you can often recover "permanently" deleted files because the data usually remains on the drive until new data overwrites it; the key is to stop using the drive immediately and then use built-in tools like File History (Windows) or cloud backups (OneDrive/Google Drive), or data recovery software (like Recuva or Windows File Recovery) to scan and restore them before they're gone forever.
Is there an app that can restore permanently deleted photos?
Undeleter is a powerful file recovery app that can recover deleted files and data from your Android device, even if they have been permanently deleted. Undeleter can scan your device for deleted files and then recover them with just a few taps.
How much does restoring a photo cost?
Photo restoration costs vary widely, from free AI tools to $100+ for complex projects, generally falling into categories: Simple fixes (dust, minor color) around $10-$30; Moderate repairs (cracks, stains, some facial work) $30-$60; and Heavy reconstruction (severe damage, extensive detail, colorization) $60-$125 or more, with pricing based on time, damage level, and required expertise, say J&D Photo, Squaresuit Photography, and ScanCafe.
How long does Walgreens keep records?
An electronic medical record is retained for each patient for ten (10) years following the last date of service.
Where can I restore old photos for free?
Airbrush AI Photo Restoration makes restoring old photos easy and accessible. Enhance clarity, reduce noise, and revive faded colors quickly online or on mobile. Fast, free, and user-friendly—no editing skills needed!
How can I recover my 5 year old photos?
Recovering 5-year-old photos is extremely difficult and often impossible through standard means (cloud recycle bins usually empty within months). Your best bet involves using specialized data recovery software like Disk Drill or Recuva on the original storage device (phone, computer, SD card) for a "deep scan," checking any physical backups (external drives, old computers), or contacting professional data recovery services for truly critical files, though success isn't guaranteed after so long.
Are deleted photos still stored?
Learn what happens to photos and videos that you've deleted
If you delete a photo or video that's backed up in Google Photos, it will stay in your bin for 60 days. If you delete a photo or video from your Android 11 and up device without it being backed up, it will stay in your bin for 30 days.
Is photo recovery always possible?
Although it is true that sometimes, the photos could be irretrievable, depending on the situation, there are plenty of tools and methods available which would help you recover them. The important thing is to take quick action and choose the right approach if you want to maximize the chances of successful recovery.
Can hackers see deleted history?
Even when you delete an account, companies rarely erase your data completely. Instead, it lingers on their servers—accessible to advertisers, data brokers, and even hackers. This means your personal information can still be exploited long after you think you've erased it.
Can hackers access permanently deleted photos on iPhone?
No, deleted iPhone photos cannot be recovered from modern iPhones (iPhone 6 and later) due to cryptographic erasure. When you permanently delete a photo, the iPhone destroys the unique encryption key, making the data impossible to decrypt.
Is anything ever truly deleted?
When you delete a file on your drive what in reality happens is that pointers that are dedicated to tell the OS the location and size of the file are being deleted and the actual file is still there. Think of it as if you are removing an entry (let's say a chapter) from the table of contents at the start of a book.