Phone CleanerWhere is Recently Deleted on iPhone?
Open Photos. On iOS 26 or later, tap Collections; on iOS 18, swipe up. Recently Deleted is below Utilities, and opens with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
Why deleted photos still use storage
When you delete a photo or video, iOS moves it to the Recently Deleted album and keeps it for 30 days, so you can change your mind. It is still on your iPhone until it leaves that album.
How to delete recently deleted photos for good
- Open Photos. On iOS 26 or later, tap Collections; on iOS 18, swipe up.
- Tap Recently Deleted, below Utilities.
- Tap View Album, then unlock it with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
- Tap Select. To remove only some photos, tap them; to remove everything, select none.
- Tap the More button, then tap Delete or Delete All.
- Confirm with Delete from All Devices or Delete Photos I Added, whichever iOS shows.
Recently Deleted in Files, Notes, Messages and Mail
Files: open the Files app, tap Browse and tap Recently Deleted under Locations. Files wait there for 30 days; anything you delete from it is gone at once.
Notes: in the folder list, tap Recently Deleted. Notes stay for 30 days. Swipe left on a note, tap Delete, then Delete Note. The folder only appears when it holds something.
Messages: at the top of the conversation list, tap the Filters button, then Recently Deleted; on iOS 18, tap Edit, then Show Recently Deleted. Select the conversations and tap Delete. Apple keeps deleted messages for up to 30 days, and says elsewhere that recovery covers the last 30 to 40 days.
Mail: deleted emails go to each account's Trash mailbox. How long they stay depends on the email service; iCloud Mail keeps them no longer than 30 days.
Why Recently Deleted asks for Face ID
Recently Deleted and Hidden are locked by default and open with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. To leave them unlocked, open Settings › Apps › Photos and turn off Use Face ID (Use Touch ID or Use Passcode on other models). That unlocks the Hidden album as well.
After a clean
Photos and videos you remove with Phone Cleaner go to the same Recently Deleted album and stay there for 30 days. Check them, then empty the album to get the space back at once.
