How do I access archived photos on iOS devices?

On May 16, 2023

To access archived photos on iOS devices, you can follow these steps:

Open the Photos app on your iOS device.
Tap on the “Albums” tab located at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down until you find the section called “Other Albums” and look for an album named “Recently Deleted.”
Tap on the “Recently Deleted” album to open it.

In this album, you will find photos and videos that have been deleted but are still recoverable for a certain period of time. iOS keeps these items in the “Recently Deleted” album for 30 days before permanently removing them.

access archived photos on iOS devices — Access archived photos on iOS devices – photo: Pixabay

If you want to restore an item, follow these additional steps:

Open the photo or video you wish to restore.
Tap on the “Recover” button located at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Confirm by tapping on “Recover Photo” or “Recover Video” in the pop-up dialog.

After following these steps, the photo or video will be restored to your main Photos library, and you will be able to access it as usual.

It’s important to note that if the photos were deleted more than 30 days ago or if you have manually emptied the “Recently Deleted” album, the photos may no longer be recoverable through the device’s native methods. In such cases, you may consider restoring from a backup if you have one available.

Is there some app to access archived photos on iOS devices?

There isn’t a specific app dedicated solely to accessing archived photos on iOS devices since the process is typically handled within the built-in Photos app. However, if you have previously backed up your iOS device using iCloud or iTunes, you can use third-party software to extract and access archived photos from the backup file.

There are several reputable third-party applications available for both Windows and Mac platforms that can help you extract photos from an iOS backup. Some popular options include iExplorer, Dr.Fone, and iMazing. These tools allow you to browse and extract various types of data, including photos, from your iOS device’s backup.

When using third-party software, it’s important to download and use trusted applications from reputable sources to ensure the security and integrity of your data. Always exercise caution and research the software before proceeding.

Remember, it’s recommended to follow the official methods provided by Apple and use the Photos app and iCloud backups for accessing and managing your photos. Third-party software should only be used if you have a specific need to extract data from a backup.