Short answer: Deleted photos go to the Recently Deleted album for about 30 days. Open Photos, scroll to Utilities, tap Recently Deleted, then Select to recover or delete them permanently.
When you delete a photo on iPhone, it isn’t gone yet. It moves to Recently Deleted, where it stays for about 30 days before iPhone erases it.
Find Recently Deleted
Open Photos, scroll down to Utilities, and tap Recently Deleted. It unlocks with Face ID or your passcode.
Recover a photo
Tap Select, choose the photos, then Recover. They go back to your library.
Delete for good
Tap Select, choose the photos (or Delete All), then Delete. They’re erased from this iPhone and, with iCloud Photos on, from iCloud and your other devices.
Why it matters for privacy
If you delete private photos, they’re still on your phone for a month, one passcode away. When you move photos into a vault, empty Recently Deleted afterwards.
Ghost’s Remove from Photos sends the originals to Recently Deleted (iOS asks you to confirm first) and reminds you to empty it.
Questions
Is Recently Deleted locked?
Yes, on recent iOS versions it opens only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode, like the Hidden album.
Does deleting from Recently Deleted remove the photo from iCloud?
Yes. With iCloud Photos on, deleting permanently removes it from iCloud and your other devices.
Keep private photos out of your camera roll.
Ghost is a photo vault for iPhone: encrypted on your phone, hidden details removed automatically, and a Panic PIN for the moments you need it. Free to download.
How to hide photos on iPhoneHide photos on iPhone with the built-in Hidden album, lock it with Face ID, and learn where it falls short and what to use instead.
Before you sell or trade in your iPhoneThe steps to take before selling or trading in an iPhone so your photos, private albums and vault don't go with it, and how to keep them for your next phone.
Hidden album vs photo vaultThe iPhone Hidden album is free and built in. A photo vault adds a separate PIN, encryption and more. A side-by-side comparison to help you choose.
How to see where a photo was taken on iPhoneCheck a photo's location, date and camera details on iPhone, Mac or in a browser, and find out what someone else could see in a photo you send.
