You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Aldosfolly
Aldosfolly Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

I’ve lost most of my photos that I’ve taken over the last 4 to 7 years. They show up on my iPhone as a blank square. How can I recover them?

I’ve lost most of my photos that I’ve taken over the last 4 to 7 years. They show up on my iPhone as a blank square. How can I recover them?

Posted on Sep 17, 2022 8:59 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: TheLittles
TheLittles
User level: Level 10
195,711 points

Posted on Sep 17, 2022 9:24 PM

Aldosfolly Said:

"I’ve lost most of my photos that I’ve taken over the last 4 to 7 years. They show up on my iPhone as a blank square. How can I recover them?"

-------


Recovering Photos:

So, were these were downloaded? If not, then they were deleted directly off of iCloud.


Performing Photo Recovery:


I. Enable Photos and Contacts in iCloud:

On the iPhones, enable Contacts in iCloud.

On the iPhone:

  1. Go to: Settings
  2. Tap: Your Name (Top Item)
  3. Tap: iCloud
  4. Tap: Photos (so that it is green)
  5. Tap: Contacts (so that it is green)


II. Troubleshooting Deleted Photos:

Three Things to Try:

A. Start here: If you're Missing Photos or Videos in the Photos App - Apple Support

B. Check iCloud, Directly:

Go here, and see if they reside in iCloud: https://www.icloud.com/photos

C. Where Else to Check:

  1. PC
  2. PDA
  3. eMail
  4. Mac Device
  5. Cloud Storage
  6. Android Phone
  7. USB Flash Drive
  8. External Hard drive
  9. Secure Digital Card
  10. Compact Flash Card
View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: TheLittles
TheLittles
User level: Level 10
195,711 points

Sep 17, 2022 9:24 PM in response to Aldosfolly

Aldosfolly Said:

"I’ve lost most of my photos that I’ve taken over the last 4 to 7 years. They show up on my iPhone as a blank square. How can I recover them?"

-------


Recovering Photos:

So, were these were downloaded? If not, then they were deleted directly off of iCloud.


Performing Photo Recovery:


I. Enable Photos and Contacts in iCloud:

On the iPhones, enable Contacts in iCloud.

On the iPhone:

  1. Go to: Settings
  2. Tap: Your Name (Top Item)
  3. Tap: iCloud
  4. Tap: Photos (so that it is green)
  5. Tap: Contacts (so that it is green)


II. Troubleshooting Deleted Photos:

Three Things to Try:

A. Start here: If you're Missing Photos or Videos in the Photos App - Apple Support

B. Check iCloud, Directly:

Go here, and see if they reside in iCloud: https://www.icloud.com/photos

C. Where Else to Check:

  1. PC
  2. PDA
  3. eMail
  4. Mac Device
  5. Cloud Storage
  6. Android Phone
  7. USB Flash Drive
  8. External Hard drive
  9. Secure Digital Card
  10. Compact Flash Card
Reply

I’ve lost most of my photos that I’ve taken over the last 4 to 7 years. They show up on my iPhone as a blank square. How can I recover them?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up