Lost thousands of photos after iOS 18.2 software update

SeniorBlake wrote:

I updated my iphone 15 pro max to iOS 18.2 and later discovered that my priceless memories of me and my family accumulated over many years captured in photos and videos have been wiped out. I called Apple support centre and they say nothing can be done. I was told I am not the first to experience this. But if Apple is aware of this issue, why not warn its customers of the risks involved in updating the software on their devices? Why not have something like a pop-up each time we want to update our devices warning us of the risks involved in doing so? I can't find the right words to express my rage, frustration and above all my disappointment. Is there truly no way for me to recover my photos and videos?

I still have pictures that were on my 3G iphone that I've never lost doing a software update, on my now iphone 13 on 18.2

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