Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover Deleted Photos from OneDrive and Phone

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to recover photos and videos that were deleted from both their mobile device and OneDrive after the cloud storage reached its limit.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to retrieve media files lost due to automatic or accidental deletion when cloud storage was full.
Observed behavior: Photos and videos synchronized between the phone and OneDrive are missing from both locations.

Before you start

Stop using your phone immediately to prevent overwriting deleted data, and log into your OneDrive account on a web browser for the best chance of recovery.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore from OneDrive Recycle Bins

The quickest way to recover deleted synced files is to check the primary and secondary recycle bins in your OneDrive web account.

When files are deleted from a synced device, they are sent to the OneDrive recycle bin. If you cannot find them there, they might have been moved to the second-stage recycle bin.

Access OneDrive Web

Go to the OneDrive website and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Open the Recycle Bin

Click on 'Recycle bin' in the left navigation pane.

Restore Files

Select the missing photos and click the 'Restore' button at the top.

Check Second-Stage Recycle Bin

If the files are not there, scroll to the bottom of the recycle bin page and click on 'Second-stage recycle bin' to find and restore permanently deleted items.

Retention Period: Files in the OneDrive recycle bin are typically kept for 30 days for personal accounts before being permanently deleted.

Solution 2

Recover from Phone's Recently Deleted or Alternative Cloud Backups

Your phone or other active backup services might still retain local copies of the deleted media.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft OneDrive Support

If files are missing from all recycle bins, Microsoft Support may be able to help recover data if contacted promptly.

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1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the lightweight installer for your device.
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3. Enable Cloud Sync: Sign in to WPS Cloud to automatically save and backup your important documents, preventing accidental data loss.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do deleted photos stay in the OneDrive recycle bin?

For personal Microsoft accounts, deleted files remain in the OneDrive recycle bin for 30 days. For work or school accounts, they are retained for 93 days unless the recycle bin becomes full.

Will deleting a photo from my phone delete it from OneDrive?

If you have two-way syncing enabled, deleting a photo from your phone's gallery may also remove it from OneDrive. However, if you use the 'Free up space' feature in the OneDrive app, it only removes the local copy while keeping the cloud version.

Can I use third-party data recovery apps on my phone?

Yes, there are third-party data recovery apps available, but their success rate is not guaranteed. If you plan to use them, avoid taking new photos or installing large apps to prevent overwriting the deleted data on your device's memory.

Migration & Recovery