How to Retrieve Photos from Old Phone [iOS + Android]

As technology advances, we often find ourselves upgrading to newer devices, leaving behind our trusty old phones, packed with countless photos and memories. Whether it's an outdated flip phone or an early-generation smartphone, the pictures stored on these devices are often considered lost forever.

But here's the good news: your cherished photos need not remain trapped in the digital graveyard of your old phone. With the right knowledge and tools, you can implement how to retrieve photos from old phone devices. In this article, we'll explore the methods and techniques for safely and effectively recovering photos from your old phone. We'll show you that, with a little effort and the right guidance, you can unlock a treasure trove of nostalgia and keep your past moments alive. So, let's dive in and learn how to retrieve photos from your old phone.

Part 1. How to Retrieve Photos from Old iPhonePart 2. How to Retrieve Photos from Old Android PhonePart 3. Conclusion

Part 1. How to Retrieve Photos from Old iPhone?

Method 01. Restore Photos from Old Phone’s iCloud Backup

If you're an iOS user, one of the most convenient ways to retrieve photos from your old phone is by restoring them from your iCloud backup. iCloud is Apple's cloud storage service that automatically backs up your data, including photos, allowing you to access them on your new device or retrieve them if you've lost your old phone. Here's how to do it:

1. Access iCloud Settings:On your new iOS device, go to "Settings" and tap your Apple ID at the top, then select "iCloud."
2. Check iCloud Backup:Make sure that iCloud Backup is turned on. If not, enable it and tap "Back Up Now" to create a current backup of your new device.
3. Restore from Backup:Scroll down in the iCloud settings, and tap "iCloud Backup." You'll see a list of available backups. Select the backup associated with your old phone. This backup should include your old photos.
4. Restore Photos:After choosing the relevant backup, tap "Restore." Your device will start the restoration process. Depending on the size of your backup and your internet connection speed, this may take some time.
5. Set Up Your Device:Once the restoration is complete, your device will restart. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device. When prompted, sign in with your Apple ID, and ensure that you're using the same Apple ID you used on your old phone.
6. Retrieve Your Photos:After completing the setup, your old photos should be available on your new device. Open the Photos app to access them.

Remember that this method is most effective if you regularly backed up your old phone to iCloud. If you haven't, or if you need to retrieve specific photos that aren't in your recent iCloud backup, consider the other methods we'll discuss in this article. Stay tuned for more ways to rescue your cherished memories from your old iOS device.

Method 02. Restore Old Phone’s iTunes Backup to Retrieve Photos

If you've backed up your old iPhone to iTunes on your computer, you can retrieve photos by restoring your new device from that iTunes backup. Here's how to do it:

1. Connect Your Device:Using a USB cable, connect your new iOS device to the computer where you have your iTunes backup stored.
2. Open iTunes:Launch iTunes on your computer. Ensure that you have the latest version installed.
3. Select Your Device:In iTunes, locate your connected device. It should appear in the upper left corner of the iTunes window.
4. Choose the iTunes Backup:Click on your device's icon, and you'll see a summary page. Under the "Backups" section, select "Restore Backup."
5. Select the Correct Backup:A window will pop up, showing a list of available iTunes backups. Choose the backup associated with your old iPhone. This backup should contain the photos you want to retrieve.
6. Restore Your Device:Click the "Restore" button. iTunes will begin the restoration process, which includes transferring the selected backup to your new device.
7. Complete Setup:After the restoration is finished, your device will reboot. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device. Ensure you sign in with your Apple ID and password.
8. Access Your Photos:Once the setup is complete, you can open the Photos app on your new device to access the photos from your old iPhone.

This method is useful if you have an iTunes backup containing the photos you want to retrieve. It's important to note that restoring your device from an iTunes backup will overwrite the current data on your new device, so make sure to back up any new data before proceeding. If you don't have an iTunes backup or want to explore other options, stay with us as we delve into more methods to retrieve photos from your old iOS phone.

Method 03. Using Finder on Mac to Retrieve Photos from Old Phone

If you're using a Mac, you can use Finder to retrieve photos from your old iOS device. Here's how to do it:

1. Connect Your Device:Use a USB cable to connect your old iPhone to your Mac.
2. Open Finder:Open a Finder window if it doesn't open automatically when you connect your device. You should see your connected iPhone listed in the Finder sidebar.
3. Choose Your Device:Click on your device's name in the Finder sidebar. This will take you to the device management screen.
4. Access Backups:In the device management screen, click on the "Backups" tab. You'll see a list of backups for your device, organized by date.
5. Select the Appropriate Backup:Choose the backup that you want to retrieve photos from. This backup should contain the photos you're looking for.
6. Browse Your Photos:You can now navigate through your old device's backup and access the photos stored in it. Simply locate and copy the photos you want to transfer to your Mac.
7. Transfer Photos:Copy the selected photos from the backup and paste them to a location on your Mac, such as a folder or your Photos library.
8. Disconnect Your Device:Safely disconnect your old iPhone from your Mac.

By using Finder on your Mac, you can access and transfer photos from your old iPhone's backup without the need for third-party software. This method is particularly useful if you don't have access to iTunes or iCloud backups. Now you have another effective way to retrieve your cherished photos from your old iOS phone.

Part 2. How to Retrieve Photos from Old Android Phone?

Method 01. Using Google Drive Backup

If you're an Android user, Google Drive offers a straightforward way to retrieve photos from your old phone. By enabling backup and synchronization, your photos can be safely stored in the cloud, ready to be accessed whenever you switch to a new Android device or need to retrieve them. Here's how to do it:

1. Check Google Account Sync:On your new Android device, make sure that you're signed in to the same Google account that you used on your old phone. You can do this in the device's settings.
2. Open Google Photos:Open the Google Photos app on your new Android device. If you don't have it installed, you can download it from the Google Play Store.
3. Check Backup Status:Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the app's menu. Select "Settings" and then tap on "Back up & sync."
4. Retrieve Your Photos:If you've been using Google Photos with the "Back up & sync" feature enabled on your old Android device, your photos should start syncing automatically to the new device. You can browse and retrieve your photos directly from the Google Photos app.
5. Access from Google Drive:Alternatively, you can access your backed-up photos via Google Drive. Open the Google Drive app or visit the Google Drive website on your computer. Your photos will be available in the "Google Photos" folder.
6. Download Photos:To retrieve photos to your new device or computer, you can download them directly from Google Drive.

By using Google Drive, you can seamlessly retrieve your photos and keep them safely stored in the cloud, making it a convenient and effective method for Android users. If you have any specific requirements or if your photos aren't backed up to Google Drive, don't worry—there are other methods we'll explore to help you retrieve your precious memories from your old Android phone.

Method 02. Using Device Manufacturer Cloud Storage Platform (e.g. Samsung Cloud)

Many Android device manufacturers offer their own cloud storage platforms, such as Samsung Cloud, which can be a convenient way to retrieve photos from your old Android phone, especially if you have a device from that manufacturer. Here's how to do it using Samsung Cloud as an example:

1. Sign In to Manufacturer Cloud:On your new Android device, make sure you are signed in to the same manufacturer's cloud account that you used on your old phone. For Samsung users, this means signing in to your Samsung account.
2. Open Cloud App:Access the cloud storage app provided by your device's manufacturer. In the case of Samsung Cloud, it's usually called "Samsung Cloud."
3. Access Your Photos:Once you've signed in, navigate to the section where your photos are stored. In Samsung Cloud, this is often labeled "Gallery" or "Photos."
4. Select Photos:Browse through your old photos and select the ones you want to retrieve. You can typically select multiple photos at once.
5. Download or Restore:Use the options provided in the cloud app to download or restore the selected photos to your new Android device. The wording may vary depending on the manufacturer's app.
6. Complete the Process:Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. The photos will be transferred to your device's local storage.

Please note that the availability of this method may vary depending on your device manufacturer. Some manufacturers may offer more robust cloud services than others. It's important to ensure that you have backed up your photos to the manufacturer's cloud service before attempting to retrieve them using this method.

By using your device manufacturer's cloud storage platform, you can easily access and retrieve photos from your old Android phone, keeping your memories intact as you switch to a new device. If you have a different Android device and cloud service, check with your manufacturer for specific instructions, or explore other methods to recover your cherished photos.

Method 03. Using FoneDog Android Data Recovery – BEST WAY

FoneDog Android Data Recovery is a powerful and user-friendly iPhone 15 supported software tool designed to help you recover photos and other data from your old Android phone. Whether you've accidentally deleted photos or need to retrieve data from a malfunctioning device, FoneDog Android Data Recovery can be a lifesaver. Below, we'll outline the steps to use this tool and highlight some of its key features.

Highlight Features:

• Compatibility:FoneDog Android Data Recovery works with a wide range of Android devices, including popular brands like Samsung, LG, Google, and more.
• Multiple Data Types:In addition to photos, the software can recover various data types, such as contacts, messages, videos, documents, and more.
• Deep Scanning:FoneDog performs a deep scan to ensure that it retrieves as much data as possible, even from deleted or inaccessible files.
• User-Friendly:The software features an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both beginners and advanced users.
• Safe and Secure:FoneDog Android Data Recovery is a safe and secure tool that does not harm your device or data during the recovery process.
• Free Trial:You can try the software for free to see if it can recover your photos before committing to a purchase.

Android Data Recovery Recover deleted messages, photos, contacts, videos, WhatsApp and so on. Quickly Find Lost and deleted data on Android with or without root. Compatible with 6000+ Android devices. Free Download Free Download

Here's a step-by-step guide to how to retrieve photos from old phone with this exclusive Android data recovery software:

1. Download and Install FoneDog: Start by downloading and installing FoneDog Android Data Recovery on your computer. It's available for both Windows and Mac.
2. Connect Your Android Device: Use a USB cable to connect your old Android phone to your computer. Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your device. The software will recognize your phone and display it on the interface.
3. Choose Data Type and Scan: Select the "Gallery" or "Photos" option as the data type you want to recover. Click "Next" to initiate the scanning process. FoneDog will thoroughly scan your device for the selected data type.
4. Preview and Select Photos: After the scan is complete, you'll be presented with a list of recoverable photos. You can preview them to ensure they are the ones you want to retrieve.
5. Recover Photos: Select the photos you want to recover, and then click the "Recover" button. Choose a location on your computer to save the recovered photos.
6. Complete the Process: Once the recovery is done, you'll find your photos in the specified location on your computer. You can now transfer them to your new Android device or any other desired location.

FoneDog Android Data Recovery is a reliable and efficient solution for recovering photos and recovering deleted text messages on Android devices. Whether your photos were deleted, lost due to a software issue, or you simply want to transfer them to a new device, this tool can help you do it with ease.

Part 3. Conclusion

In this comprehensive guide, we've explored various methods to help you retrieve your precious photos from old phones, regardless of whether you're an iOS or Android user. Our journey began by addressing the needs of iOS users, highlighting methods such as restoring from iCloud or iTunes backups, and using Finder on a Mac. These methods can seamlessly recover your memories and make them accessible on your new device.

For Android users, we discovered the convenience of Google Drive backup and manufacturer-specific cloud storage platforms, such as Samsung Cloud. These services offer accessible and efficient ways to retrieve your photos, keeping your cherished moments safe.

We also introduced the robust and versatile FoneDog Android Data Recovery tool, which is designed to recover data, including photos, from Android devices. With its user-friendly interface and deep scanning capabilities, it's a powerful asset in the quest to rescue your lost memories.

No matter which method you choose, the key is to act swiftly and efficiently to ensure the safety of your photos. Backing up your data regularly, whether through built-in features like iCloud and Google Drive or with third-party software, is crucial to safeguard your memories.

Remember, each method comes with its own advantages and is suitable for different scenarios, so select the one that best fits your needs and technical preferences. Your photos are more than just images; they are moments captured in time, and with the right tools and knowledge, they can continue to bring joy and nostalgia to your life.

Android Data Recovery Recover deleted messages, photos, contacts, videos, WhatsApp and so on. Quickly Find Lost and deleted data on Android with or without root. Compatible with 6000+ Android devices. Free Download Free Download