OneDrive issue with deleted photos

Robie Ortega 0 Reputation points
2026-09-22T13:16:35.9566667+00:00

Hello, ive recently deleted files, more specifically photos, from my onedrive to freeup space since i needed to have

a document done and i dont have microsoft 360 to have that extra space, and i thought that i was only deleting photos and permanently deleting them in the recycle bin were kept in onedrive as only a copy then come to an hour ago when i found out that my entire gallery on my phone was completely synched to my onedrive, so that means the photos are deleted and i need them back please help me as those photos are my memories and i am attached to them, i need a cost free effective method which brings them all back. thankyou and please respond fast i cant bear to lose those.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Other
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  1. Kai-H 27,725 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-23T10:36:58.82+00:00

    Hi, Robie Ortega

    OneDrive appears to have been linked through Samsung Gallery sync, which is two-way. Deleting photos in OneDrive can therefore delete them from the phone’s Gallery as well.

    Here are some suggestions you can try:

    First, turn off Wi-Fi/mobile data and stop taking photos or installing apps for now, so deleted data is less likely to be overwritten.

    Check your phone’s own deleted-items folder, which is separate from OneDrive:

    Samsung: Gallery > Menu > Recycle bin > select the photos > Restore.

    Google Photos: Collections > Trash > hold the photos > Restore. Restored items return to Google Photos and may also reappear in the phone Gallery.

    iPhone: Photos > Recently Deleted > View Album > Recover.

    Also search the phone’s Files app under DCIM, Pictures, Camera, and any SD card. Check Google Photos, iCloud Photos, Samsung Cloud, WhatsApp, and any computer previously used to import the pictures.

    If the photos were stored on a removable SD card, stop using it and scan it on a computer with a free recovery tool such as PhotoRec. Unfortunately, if they were permanently removed from encrypted internal phone storage and no other backup exists, free recovery cannot be guaranteed.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-22T13:16:52.8133333+00:00
    1. Check the OneDrive Recycle Bin first. On the left side of the OneDrive website, select Recycle bin. If the photos are there, select them and choose Restore.
    2. If the photos were deleted from the mobile app, deleted files are kept in the OneDrive Recycle Bin for 30 days for personal accounts. If the recycle bin is full, the oldest items can be automatically deleted after three days.
    3. If the deletion was a large sync mistake and the account supports it, use Restore your OneDrive:
      • On the top right of the OneDrive website, select Options and Restore your OneDrive.
      • This can undo actions on files and folders from the last 30 days.
      • Important: if a file was permanently deleted from the OneDrive Recycle Bin, it cannot be recovered.
    4. Make sure the correct Microsoft account is signed in. If the photos are not visible, they may be in another OneDrive account. Sign out and sign in again with any other Microsoft account that may have been used.
    5. If OneDrive storage is still full, remember that items in the Recycle Bin count toward storage. Deleting files from OneDrive and the OneDrive recycle bin may take a short time before storage availability updates.
    6. If the photos are no longer in the Recycle Bin and Restore your OneDrive does not show a usable restore point, there is no free self-service recovery method in the provided guidance.

    For mobile support on a personal account, support can be contacted from the OneDrive app by opening the app and gently shaking the device.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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