# What is Recently Deleted on iPhone?

> Recently Deleted is the Photos album that keeps deleted photos and videos for about 30 days before removing them for good. On iOS 16 and later it is locked.

Source: https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/recently-deleted/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![What is Recently Deleted on iPhone illustrated on an iPhone screen](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/glossary--recently-deleted.png)

**Quick answer:** Recently Deleted is the Photos album that keeps deleted photos and videos for about 30 days before removing them for good. On iOS 16 and later it is locked like the Hidden album.

- **Keeps items:** About 30 days
- **Where:** Photos › Utilities › Recently Deleted
- **Locked since:** iOS 16

## How it works

When you move a photo into a locked note or a vault app and delete the original, the original waits here. Empty Recently Deleted to remove the last copy on your iPhone.

## Recently Deleted at a glance

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Keeps items | About 30 days |
| Where | Photos › Utilities › Recently Deleted |
| Locked since | iOS 16 |

## Recently Deleted: questions

### What is Recently Deleted on iPhone?

Recently Deleted is the Photos album that keeps deleted photos and videos for about 30 days before removing them for good. On iOS 16 and later it is locked like the Hidden album.

### Where is Recently Deleted on iPhone?

Recently Deleted is at Photos › Utilities › Recently Deleted. When you move a photo into a locked note or a vault app and delete the original, the original waits here. Empty Recently Deleted to remove the last copy on your iPhone.

### When did iPhone add Recently Deleted?

Recently Deleted arrived in iOS 16. Older iOS versions don't have it, so update in Settings › General › Software Update if your iPhone supports it.

## Related guides

- [Hide button](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/)

## More terms

- [Decoy vault](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/decoy-vault/)
- [Face ID](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/face-id/)
- [Guided Access](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/guided-access/)
- [Hidden album](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/hidden-album/)
- [iCloud Photos](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/icloud-photos/)
- [Locked note](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/locked-note/)