iPhone Recently Deleted album: how to recover or permanently delete photos

Where to find Recently Deleted

In Photos, tap Collections and scroll down to Utilities. Tap Recently Deleted. Apple says that on iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1 or later you need to unlock the album with Face ID or Touch ID, which keeps other people from browsing your deleted pictures.

If you cannot see it, check that you are looking under Utilities in Collections. Apple’s guide also says you can tap Utilities to see more collections, such as Hidden.

How long photos stay there

When you delete a photo or video, it moves to Recently Deleted. Apple says it is removed permanently after 30 days. During that window you can still recover it, which makes it a useful safety net during a cleanup.

Because items remain there for 30 days, your free storage does not necessarily increase straight away after deleting. This is a common reason people see little change; our guide on storage staying full after deleting photos covers that in more detail.

Recover a photo you deleted by mistake

Open Recently Deleted, tap Select, choose the items you want back, tap More and choose Recover. You can also choose Recover All. Confirm, and the items return to your library.

Do this promptly if you notice a mistake. The 30-day window is the only recovery option Apple describes in this guide, so do not wait until the end of the period.

1. Photos, then Collections, then Utilities, then Recently Deleted.
2. Unlock with Face ID or Touch ID if asked.
3. Tap Select and choose the items.
4. Tap More, then Recover, and confirm.

Deleting permanently, and what it means for iCloud

To remove items for good, select them in Recently Deleted, tap More, then Delete or Delete All, and confirm. Apple warns that items deleted this way cannot be recovered.

With iCloud Photos on, a deletion on one device removes the item from all devices signed in to the same Apple Account. In a Shared Library, anyone can delete items and the deletion applies to all members. Only the person who added an item can permanently delete or recover it. Make sure you have an independent copy of anything important before you empty the album.

Use it as part of a calm cleanup

A good approach is to delete in small batches, glance at Recently Deleted to check that nothing important went in, and only empty it when you are sure. GallerySort helps with the first part by letting you swipe through photos to keep or delete.

If you need storage urgently, remember that emptying the album removes your normal recovery option. A quick check of your backup first costs little.