photos gone after update to 16.5

Help!

All but 43 of my thousands of photos since the beginning of time are gone from my iPhone 12 mini after updating to 16.5 last night.

They are backed up to Google Photos, but I am afraid it will sync to zero as soon as I click on it.


Why did this happen and is there a way to restore them?

The choice of keeping the 43 pictures seems absolutely random as they are scattered over time and from various sources.


thanks for your assistance!

Heidi



iPhone 12 mini, iOS 16

Posted on Jun 2, 2023 02:13 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 6, 2023 02:11 PM

Damm I just lost all my content from my phone as well why does apple do this horrible it wouldn’t even let me back up to my iCloud or laptop there’s no way we can recover them ???

6 replies

Jun 2, 2023 02:37 AM in response to heidixje

Hi Sravan,


Thank you for your considered response.

I am indeed trying to remain calm and figure out what is best.

iCloud backup is not enabled due to the size (and costs thereof), this is why I have made a backup to Google. So the pictures are not gone alltogether, but they have dissapeared from the phone. About a thousand super random ones in My Photo Stream (which will be deleted in July, if I understand correctly). And most of those I already deleted anyway, because they weren't precious. I never understood well what the purpose was for My Photo Stream.


What do you suggest I do now? Will they be gone from my apple ID? Or is there any way I could try to restore them?


This is truly tragic.

Jun 2, 2023 02:33 AM in response to heidixje

Losing all your photos after an iOS update is indeed a highly unusual situation. The iOS update process itself should not delete any user data, including photos unless there was a specific issue or error during the update process.


Here are a few possible reasons why your photos might have disappeared after an iOS update:


  1. If you had enabled iCloud Photo and had multiple devices connected to the same Apple ID, there might have been a synchronization issue that caused the photos to temporarily disappear from one device. Ensure that your iCloud settings are properly configured and check if your photos reappear after some time.
  2. It's also worth considering if there might have been any accidental actions or misunderstandings about where the photos were stored. Sometimes, photos may appear to be missing due to changes in the way the Photos app organizes and displays content, but they could still be present in a different location or hidden album.


Remember, it's important to remain calm and avoid taking any actions that might further compromise the possibility of recovering your photos.


iOS updates serve several purposes, including introducing new features, improving security, enhancing performance, fixing bugs, and providing compatibility with the latest apps and technologies. These updates are released by Apple to ensure that users have access to the latest advancements and to maintain the overall stability and functionality of their devices.


Typically, iOS updates are designed to preserve the personal settings and data of users. Apple takes great care to ensure that updating the operating system does not alter or delete user data, including photos, contacts, messages, and other personal settings. The intention is to provide a seamless transition to the new software version without disrupting the user experience.


It's important for users to be cautious and proactive when it comes to safeguarding their data. Regularly backing up your iPhone, either through iCloud or iTunes, is a highly recommended practice. This way, even if an unexpected issue arises during an update, you can restore your device from a backup and retrieve your personal data, including photos. Please read this Apple Article--> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)


In summary, the primary purpose of iOS updates is to enhance the user experience, introduce new features, and maintain the security and stability of Apple devices. While these updates are designed not to alter personal settings or delete user data.


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

photos gone after update to 16.5

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