How To Recover Deleted Photos From A Mac: An Ultimate Guide

Accidentally deleted your precious photos from your Mac? Don’t panic! Whether it’s family memories, professional work, or personal snapshots, losing important photos can be stressful. Fortunately, Mac offers several ways to recover deleted photos, even if they seem permanently erased.

At MacRepair, we specialize in Apple device recovery and provide fast, efficient solutions. With our 30-minute service guarantee, we’ll help you restore your lost photos quickly. Follow our expert guide below or visit us for professional assistance.

Why Are Photos Deleted On A Mac?

Before diving into recovery methods, let’s understand how photos get deleted:

1. Accidental Deletion – Mistakenly moving photos to Trash.

2. Emptying the Trash – Permanently deleting files from the Trash.

3. macOS Updates or Errors – System updates may cause missing files.

4. Corrupt Storage – Hard drive or SSD corruption can delete files.

5. Third-Party Cleaning Apps – Some optimization tools delete files without warning.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Deleted Photos on a Mac

Method 1: Recover Photos from the Recently Deleted Folder

If you use the Photos app, deleted pictures go to the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days.

1. Open the Photos App – Click the Photos icon from the Dock or Applications folder.

2. Go to Recently Deleted – In the left panel, find and select Recently Deleted.

3. Select the Photos to Restore – Click on the images you want back.

4. Click Recover – Your photos will return to the main library.

Best for: Users who deleted photos within the last 30 days.

Method 2: Restore from Trash

If you haven’t emptied your Trash, your deleted photos may still be there.

1. Open the Trash Bin – Click the Trash icon in the Dock.

2. Locate Deleted Photos – Scroll through to find your pictures.

3. Right-Click & Restore – Select the photos, right-click, and choose Put Back.

4. Check the Original Folder – The photos should be restored to their original location.

 Best for: Users who recently deleted photos and haven’t emptied the Trash.

Method 3: Restore Photos from Time Machine Backup

If you’ve backed up your Mac with Time Machine, you can recover deleted photos.

1. Connect Backup Drive – Plug in your external Time Machine backup drive.

2. Open Time Machine – Click the Time Machine icon from the menu bar.

3. Navigate to Photos Folder – Go to Pictures > Photos Library.

4. Find Deleted Photos – Scroll back to find a version before deletion.

5. Click Restore – Your photos will be restored to their original location.

Best for: Users who have enabled Time Machine Backup before deletion.

Method 4: Use iCloud Photos for Recovery

If you use iCloud Photos, deleted pictures might still be recoverable from the cloud.

1. Visit iCloud.com – Open a browser and go to iCloud.com.

2. Sign In to Your Apple ID – Use your credentials to access iCloud.

3. Go to Photos > Recently Deleted – Check if your photos are available.

4. Select & Restore – Click the photos and choose Recover.

Best for: Users who have iCloud Photos enabled.

Method 5: Use Professional Data Recovery Software

If none of the above methods work, try using third-party recovery tools.

1. Download a trusted recovery software—recommended options include Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery, or Stellar Data Recovery.

2. Install and Launch the Software—Follow installation instructions.

3. Select the Drive to Scan – Choose your Mac’s hard drive where the photos were stored.

4. Start the scan—the software will search for deleted files.

5. Recover and Save Photos—Select the found images and restore them to a safe location.

 Best for: Users who have permanently deleted photos with no backup.

Additional Tips to Prevent Future Photo Loss

• Regularly Backup Your Photos – Use Time Machine or an external drive.

• Enable iCloud Photo Library – Keep a copy of your photos in the cloud.

• Use External Storage – Save important images on external hard drives or USB devices.

• Avoid Overwriting Data – Stop using your Mac immediately after deleting photos to prevent permanent loss.

Still Can’t Recover Your Photos? Let MacRepair Help!

If you’re struggling to recover your lost photos, don’t worry! At MacRepair, our expert technicians specialize in data recovery for Macs and can retrieve your deleted images quickly and safely.

30-Minute Service Guarantee – Fast and efficient recovery. Professional Apple Technicians – Certified experts to handle your device.  Advanced Data Recovery Tools – Cutting-edge technology for maximum results.

Visit Us – MacRepair Store
Call Now:  0800 585 222

Don’t lose your valuable memories—MacRepair is here to help!