Find lost photos & videos

Important: If your Google Photos account is inactive for 2 years or you're over your storage limit, it may impact your content. Learn how your Google storage works.

Step 1: Check your account

Some photos can seem to disappear because you're on a different account.

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Photos app Photos.
  2. Sign in to your Google Account.
  3. At the top, check that you're signed in to the account that you backed up photos to.

Step 2: If you tap "Free up space" on Google Photos

Important: Before you delete photos from your device, make sure you let Google Photos back up your photos first. Learn how to turn on backup.

Step 3: Check if your photo is deleted

  • If your photo is still in trash, you may be able to get it back. Learn how to restore a deleted photo.
  • If your photo is in trash for over 60 days, the photo may be permanently deleted.
  • If you use another photo app or gallery, and delete photos there, you might delete your photo before Google Photos can back up your photo.

Try other ways to find your photos

Check if back up is on

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Photos app Photos.
  2. Make sure you're signed in to the right account.
  3. Tap your account profile photo or initial to find your back up status.

If backup is on

  • Your photo may still be in the process of backing up. If your device says it's "Waiting for Wi-Fi" or there's a number, it may mean that your photo isn't backed up yet.
  • Make sure the file sizes of your photos or videos can be backed up. Learn more about file sizes that can be backed up.

If backup is off

Important: Before you delete photos from your device, make sure you let Google Photos back up your photos first. Learn how to turn on backup.

If you delete a photo from your device, you may not be able to recover it. Google Photos doesn't back up photos right away.

Find a screenshot or an archived photo

If you can't find a screenshot or a photo you don't regularly view, it may be in your archive. Learn about your archive.

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Photos app Photos.
  2. Make sure you're signed in to the right account.
  3. At the bottom, tap Library and then Archive.

Search for a photo or video

Search for the right dates or keywords to find a lost photo or video. Sometimes, when you scan or download a photo from a device with the wrong date and time settings, the timestamp is different. Learn how to change timestamps on photos.

To find a recently added photo or video:

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Photos appPhotos.
  2. Sign in to your Google Account.
  3. At the bottom, tap Search.
  4. TypeRecently Added.
  5. Browse your recently added items.

If your item isn't in Recently Added, you can search for a person, place, or object in the photo:

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Photos app Photos.
  2. At the bottom, tap Search.
  3. Type what you want to find, like "dogs," "New York City," or if you tag your photos, someone's name.

If you can't find a photo with search, try to:

  • Search with a different keyword.
  • Search again in 3—5 days. It can take a while for photos to be searchable.

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