How do I recover lost iCloud Photos after moving from 5GB to 50GB plan?

I was previously using the free 5GB iCloud plan. I deleted a lot of photos from iCloud, thinking it would help free up space on my iPhone.


Later, I upgraded to the 50GB plan, because Apple didn’t allow me to switch back to the free plan anymore.




Now, when I check both iCloud.com and the Photos app, all of my previous photos are completely gone, including the ones I deleted while still on the 5GB plan.


I tried everything, but I can’t recover them and I can’t cancel the 50GB plan either.




I’m really desperate right now. Please help me recover my photos or at least explain if there’s any way to retrieve the data from my previous iCloud usage.




Thank you.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 12 Pro

Posted on May 15, 2025 08:19 PM

Reply
1 reply

May 16, 2025 03:48 PM in response to JenzHarasuki

Purchasing more iCloud storage will not magically bring back photos that you have deleted.


If you deleted the photos from your Photos Library within the last 30 days, and did not follow up the initial deletion by permanently deleting the photos, you may be able to get them back from the Recently Deleted album. See the "Recover deleted photos and videos" section of Delete photos on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support .


If you permanently deleted photos (e.g., by deleting them from the Recently Deleted album), they are gone, unless you made copies somewhere outside of the iCloud Photos system before doing the permanent deletion.

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How do I recover lost iCloud Photos after moving from 5GB to 50GB plan?

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