Key Takeaways
- When a loved one dies, many worry about their photos. However, it’s often not too late to recover them.
- Avoid actions that could erase data, like resetting devices or guessing passwords repeatedly.
- Start by preserving accessible files and looking for cloud backups, old computers, and external drives.
- Remember that photos may exist in multiple places, and panic can lead to irreversible loss.
- Always prioritize preservation before cleanup to ensure memories remain intact.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
How to Recover a Loved One’s Photos After They Die: A clear, human guide from a professional photo archivist
When someone you love dies, there is a moment nobody prepares you for.
- The house is still.
- A phone is sitting on the kitchen table.
- A laptop hums softly.
- A screen lights up with a name that will never text again.
And then the fear hits. What happens to their photos? As a photo archivist, I hear this question most often at ScanMyPhotos. Families reach out not weeks later but often in the first few days, afraid that one wrong tap could erase a lifetime of memories. This guide is for that moment. It explains what to do, what not to do, and why photos are often still recoverable even when it feels too late. No tech jargon. No legal language. Just clear steps for people who are tired, grieving, and overwhelmed.
First, know this: you are probably not too late. Most people assume that if they did not act immediately, the photos are gone. That is rarely true. In real life, photos usually exist in more than one place, including phones, computers, cloud backups, email attachments, and old devices tucked away in drawers. People back things up without realizing it, then forget they ever did.
The biggest risk is not time. The biggest risk is panic. The most important rule: do nothing that erases data. Before you try to organize, clean, or “start fresh,” stop.
Do not:
- Reset a phone or computer
- Guess passwords over and over
- Cancel Apple or Google accounts
- Delete files to make space
- Click anything that says erase or factory reset
- These actions can permanently destroy photos.
Right now, your only goal is preservation. Organization comes later. Start with what you can physically access. If the phone or computer opens normally, you’re already near the solution.
If you can unlock the phone or log into the computer:
- Connect it to another computer
- Copy the photo folders exactly as they are
- Save them to an external drive or a second computer
- Leave everything else alone
Do not rename files. Do not rearrange folders. Do not edit photos. You are creating a safety copy first. If the device is locked, this is extremely common. Do not keep guessing the password. Many devices are set to lock or erase data after too many failed attempts.
Instead:
- Look for written password notes
- Check password managers
- See if another trusted device is still signed in
- Pause before taking action
- Locked does not automatically mean lost.
Photos often exist in places families forget to check
Even when a phone is inaccessible, photos may still live in:
- Cloud photo backups
- Email accounts
- Messaging apps
- Old laptops or desktops
- External hard drives
- USB sticks
- Memory cards
- Old phones are no longer in use
As a photo archivist, I regularly see families recover thousands of images from devices they almost threw away.
Cloud Photos Explained in Plain English
Many phones automatically upload photos to online accounts. That means photos may still exist even if: The phone is broken. The phone is missing. The passcode is unknown. Access usually requires documentation such as proof of death and proof of relationship. The process takes time.
What Matters Most Right Now is This:
Do not delete the account. Deleting an account often results in the permanent loss of everything stored there. Do not overlook computers. Computers often hold the oldest and most meaningful photo collections.
Check:
- Desktop folders
- Pictures folders
- Documents folders
- Downloads folders
- Email programs
- Backup software
These photos may never have been uploaded anywhere else. Old devices quietly hold history. That phone in a drawer. That laptop from years ago. That external drive with no label. These often contain photos that exist nowhere else. Look for analog photos, slides, and home movie reels to get digitized.
If a device powers on:
- Do not reset it
- Copy everything first
- Decide what to keep later
Some of the most important images families recover come from devices no one thought mattered. This can feel overwhelming, and that’s normal. This process is not just technical. You are grieving and problem-solving at the same time. Photos are not files. They are moments. A laugh at a table. A random afternoon. A face you are not ready to stop seeing. You do not need to finish this today. Preserve first. Organize later.
That one decision protects more than people realize.
A note from a photo archivist at ScanMyPhotos: Families often reach out during moments of loss, afraid they have already made a mistake. The truth is, most have not. This article is part of our editorial mission to help people understand what is possible before panic or misinformation causes permanent loss. Whether families choose professional help or handle everything themselves, the first steps matter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I get photos from a loved one’s phone if I do not know the password? Sometimes, yes. Photos may still exist on cloud backups, old computers, or other devices, even if the phone itself cannot be unlocked. Repeatedly guessing the password can permanently lock or erase the device, so it is important to stop and explore safer options first.
2. What happens to photos stored in iCloud or Google Photos after someone dies? The photos usually remain stored in the account until the account is deleted. Access often requires documentation such as a death certificate and proof of relationship. The process takes time, but deleting the account before exploring options can permanently erase the photos.
3. Should I cancel phone plans or online accounts right away? No. Canceling accounts too early is one of the most common mistakes families regret. Accounts often contain photos, backups, or access to other devices. Preservation should always come before cleanup.
4. What if I am afraid I already waited too long? In most cases, families have more time than they think. Photos often exist in multiple places and can still be recovered months or even years later if devices and accounts were not erased. Acting carefully matters more than acting fast.
[Revised January 13, 2026]
