Start with this check.
Confirm the account and look on photos.google.com. If absent, inspect the old phone, device folders, archive, Locked Folder and trash without deleting anything.
Avoid recovery apps demanding payment, broad permissions or remote access before checking existing copies. Do not empty trash or erase the old phone to repeat migration.
Which situation matches yours?
Let’s go step by step.
0 of 5 checks completedMark each check to keep track during this visit.
Verify account identity
Open the profile and note the account without sharing its password. Use that same account on the web. Review other previously used accounts separately without moving or deleting content.
A different account can explain an unfamiliar library.
Look beyond the expected date
Search approximate dates and recently added items. Downloaded or scanned pictures may carry another timestamp. Review Archive and Locked Folder if used.
Absence from the expected timeline position does not establish deletion.
Inspect device files
On Android, check Collections → On this device and relevant folders. If the old phone remains available, find the original there and check backup status before another transfer.
Preserve an independent local copy if found, then use the backup guide to verify uploading.
Inspect trash without emptying it
Look in Google Photos trash and any gallery used. If Restore is offered for the item, use it and check where the picture returns. Consult the retention information shown by that service.
Trash behaviour can differ by service and backup state, so avoid assuming a universal recovery deadline.
Establish which copy exists
Record checked accounts, devices and folders. Open a recovered file fully and verify another copy. If still absent, keep the record and contact support with dates and actions.
Google Takeout exports existing account content; it does not recover permanently deleted files.
When to stop and ask for help
Do not promise app-based recovery for a file absent from copies and trash after permanent deletion. For irreplaceable local-only data, avoid further writes and obtain specialist advice before experimenting.
Does a step differ from what you see? →Common questions
Can Takeout recover permanently deleted pictures?
No. It exports existing account data.
Are WhatsApp pictures always backed up?
That depends on local files and the selected backup folders.
Can deleting from the phone affect the cloud?
It depends on the action and app. Read the confirmation and verify an independent copy first.
Sources and review
Project owner: Eudald Ferrer Ibáñez. Report a correction.
This guide uses official documentation and our own troubleshooting sequence. Menus may change between versions. Documentation reviewed on September 28, 2026; practical device testing is still pending.
How we review and correct guides →Have you identified the problem?
Your answer only appears in this browser. It is not sent or saved.