Recover Deleted Videos From an LG Phone

Updated 9 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

If you deleted a video from an LG phone, first check the Gallery or Google Photos trash, where it may still be recoverable for a limited time. If it is not there, stop using the phone and check backups before trying recovery software; success depends on where the video was stored and whether its data has been overwritten.

What You’ll Need

Your LG phone and, if possible, the Google account or other account used to back up its photos and videos.
A computer and USB cable if you need to check a computer backup or an SD card reader if the video was stored on a removable card.
Enough free space in the phone’s storage or backup destination to restore the video.

Step-by-Step

Stop creating new data. Avoid recording videos, downloading files, installing recovery apps, or taking photos. New data can overwrite deleted file data, especially on internal storage. If the video was on a removable microSD card, power off the phone and remove the card. Do not format it.
Check the LG Gallery trash. Open the Gallery app and look for a Trash, Recycle bin, or Recently deleted folder in its menu or albums. Menu names vary by LG model and software version. If you find the video, select it and choose Restore. Check its details or play it to confirm it is the right file. Deleted items are usually retained only temporarily; if the trash was emptied or its retention period ended, continue to the next step.
Check Google Photos. Open Google Photos and confirm you are signed in to the Google account you used when the video was backed up. Tap Collections or Library, then Trash or Bin; labels can differ across app versions. Select the video and tap Restore if it appears. Google Photos keeps backed-up items in Trash for a limited period, commonly up to 60 days, while items that were not backed up may be kept for a shorter period, commonly up to 30 days. The app shows whether an item can still be restored. A video deleted permanently from Trash cannot be restored from there.
Look in other cloud and file apps. Check any cloud service or photo app you previously used, including its deleted-items folder, and verify you are viewing the correct account. Also check the phone’s Files app for a Downloads, Movies, or DCIM folder. A video might have been moved rather than deleted. Do not assume that a cloud copy exists just because the app is installed; backup or sync must have been enabled before deletion.
Search for a separate backup. Check a computer, external drive, old phone, or backup service for a copy. Look in folders such as DCIM/Camera, Pictures, Movies, and any folder you chose when copying files. If you use an LG backup utility or another phone-backup tool, inspect its backup contents before restoring. Restoring a complete device backup can replace newer data, so copy or export the video alone when possible.
If it was on a microSD card, stop using the card. Put the card in a computer with a card reader and check whether the video is present. If it is deleted, a reputable recovery utility may be able to scan the card. Recover files to the computer or another drive, never back onto the card being scanned. If the card is damaged, asks to be formatted, or contains irreplaceable footage, stop and consider a professional data-recovery service rather than attempting repairs.
For internal storage, weigh the risks before using recovery software. Modern Android phones commonly encrypt internal storage, and deleted data may be inaccessible or quickly reclaimed. Many apps that promise recovery cannot retrieve original video files from internal storage, and installing one can overwrite data or expose private files. Avoid rooting or unlocking the phone as a recovery shortcut; these actions can erase data or reduce the chance of recovery. If the video is important, contact a reputable specialist before further use.
Verify and protect any recovered copy. Open the restored video and check that it plays through, not just that a filename appears. Copy it to a second location, such as a computer or trusted cloud account. Once you have a safe copy, you can resume normal phone use.

Common Mistakes

Continuing to use the phone or SD card after deletion, which can overwrite recoverable data.
Checking only Gallery when the video may be in Google Photos, a file manager, or another account’s cloud trash.
Assuming an app automatically backed up videos. Check its backup status and the account used before relying on it.
Installing several recovery apps on the phone. Installation and use can write data to the same storage you are trying to recover.
Saving recovered files to the same SD card or drive being scanned, which may overwrite other deleted files.
Formatting a card or accepting a repair prompt before making an image or getting advice. Formatting can make recovery harder.

Tips

Check every Google account you use; a video may have been backed up under a different account.
Search by date and filename, but also browse folders and thumbnails. Messaging or editing apps may have saved a separate copy.
When restoring from a backup, review its date and contents first so you do not replace newer phone data unnecessarily.
After recovery, enable a suitable photo or video backup and periodically confirm that recent videos appear in it. Keep a separate copy of especially important recordings.
Be cautious with recovery apps that demand broad permissions, payment before showing recoverable files, or an unexplained root process.

Troubleshooting

The trash folder is missing: Check the app’s menu and confirm you are in the Gallery or Photos app where the video was originally stored. Some apps do not have a trash folder, and menu names depend on the installed version. Update nothing or install nothing until you have checked existing backups.

The video is in Trash but Restore fails: Confirm the phone has available storage, an active connection if the item is cloud-backed, and the correct account selected. Try restoring one item at a time. If the retention period has passed or Trash was emptied, the app may no longer offer restoration.

The restored video is missing: Check the original folder, the app’s library, and the device’s Movies or DCIM folders. Search by date and allow time for a cloud library to sync. Restarting the app may refresh its listing, but do not clear its data or uninstall it while checking.

An SD card recovery scan finds nothing: Confirm that the computer can read the card and that the scan targets the correct volume. Do not write files to it. If the card is unreadable or physically damaged, repeated scans and repair prompts can worsen the situation; seek specialist help.

No backup or trash copy exists: Recovery from encrypted internal storage may not be possible with consumer tools. Stop using the phone and ask a qualified data-recovery provider about the model and circumstances before approving any procedure. No method can guarantee recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a permanently deleted video from an LG phone?
Possibly, if a separate backup or SD-card copy exists. If it was permanently removed from internal storage and no backup exists, recovery may be impossible, particularly on encrypted modern Android devices.

How long do deleted videos stay in Google Photos Trash?
The retention period depends on backup status and app policy. Google Photos commonly retains backed-up items for up to 60 days and unbacked-up items for up to 30 days. Check the item’s status in Trash, because permanently deleted items cannot be restored there.

Will a factory reset recover deleted videos?
No. A factory reset does not recover files and can erase remaining data. Do not reset the phone when trying to retrieve a deleted video.

Can recovery apps restore videos from LG internal storage?
They often cannot recover original deleted videos from modern encrypted Android storage. Avoid installing apps on the phone, as they may write over data. Check backups first and use caution with recovery claims.

What if the video was on a microSD card?
Remove the card, do not format or use it, and scan it from a computer if it is readable. Save recovered files to a different drive. For a damaged card or important footage, seek professional help.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.