Google Photos deleted my Photos. Any ideas?

[chief_mag]

I clicked "Free Up Space" on the Photos app of my phone (Pixel 4XL). This is supposed to locally delete all photos already backed up. Unfortunately it just deleted 3gb of photos and they don't seem to be anywhere in my Photos or Drive.

I've searched all over the for them in my Google account, but they don't seem to be anywhere.
I tried to use Recuva and Dr Fone to recover the deleted files, but Recuva doesn't recognize the device and Dr. Fone requires Root Access for deleted folders.

Anyone have any experience/advice that can save me here?

TIA!

Side note: Yes I know I should have double checked to make sure they were backed up beforehand. Now I know for next time.

[Mf1]

Do you have more than one google account?
If yes maybe it was saved to another account then the one you are checking.
You can also call google support through your pixel settings and see if they can do anything to help.

[chief_mag]

Do you have more than one google account?
If yes maybe it was saved to another account then the one you are checking.
You can also call google support through your pixel settings and see if they can do anything to help.

Only one account on this device.

Google support was about as helpful as Spirit Customer Service.

[Yo ssi]

I have used the above multiple times without issue, it's quite an interesting problem.

I would recommend you turn off the data / wifi on your phone don't take pictures etc.. and try to find a recovery program that would work.

[Mf1]

Also look at photos ( not albums ) and scroll down to the date the photo was actually taken

[lcm]

I clicked "Free Up Space" on the Photos app of my phone (Pixel 4XL). This is supposed to locally delete all photos already backed up. Unfortunately it just deleted 3gb of photos and they don't seem to be anywhere in my Photos or Drive.

I've searched all over the for them in my Google account, but they don't seem to be anywhere.
I tried to use Recuva and Dr Fone to recover the deleted files, but Recuva doesn't recognize the device and Dr. Fone requires Root Access for deleted folders.

Anyone have any experience/advice that can save me here?

TIA!

Side note: Yes I know I should have double checked to make sure they were backed up beforehand. Now I know for next time.

I feel like this is a stupid question, but they're not in the trash folder?

[chief_mag]

I have used the above multiple times without issue, it's quite an interesting problem.

I would recommend you turn off the data / wifi on your phone don't take pictures etc.. and try to find a recovery program that would work.

Yes I've done that, but can't seem to find a recovery program that will do the job.Two of the most recommended ones (Recuva & Dr. Phone) can't seem to do it as stated above...
If you have ideas of any others I'll definitely give them a shot.

I feel like this is a stupid question, but they're not in the trash folder?

Also look at photos ( not albums ) and scroll down to the date the photo was actually taken

Yes I searched all photos and all folders.
Some are from less than 2 weeks ago, so all it takes is one "scroll" to see no images from that time.

[yoshyosh]

Open gphotos on a desktop there is a sync issue with photos not showing on mobile

[chief_mag]

Open gphotos on a desktop there is a sync issue with photos not showing on mobile

When I noticed I immediately checked on both Desktop and mobile in all folders. Issue is across the board.

[Yo ssi]

Yes I've done that, but can't seem to find a recovery program that will do the job.Two of the most recommended ones (Recuva & Dr. Phone) can't seem to do it as stated above...
If you have ideas of any others I'll definitely give them a shot.

Tried these?
https://techlog360.com/best-android-data-recovery-apps/