Google Photos will cut the recovery window for deleted photos and videos from 60 days to 30 days starting December 5. The shorter deadline applies only to files deleted after the change takes effect, not items already in the trash.
Google notified users of the change by email, according to GadgetsNow. Files deleted before the cutoff will keep their existing 60-day recovery window.
The trash folder provides a safety net if you delete something accidentally or change your mind after a cleanup. Under the current default policy, you can restore photos and videos for 60 days before they’re permanently removed from storage. The new policy cuts that grace period in half.
Many users probably won’t notice much difference in everyday use. But the shorter window could have serious consequences for anyone managing a large photo collection or regularly clearing out files. If they later discover they deleted something they meant to keep, they’ll have just 30 days from deletion to restore it.
