Gallery favorites folder empty with 1000s of pics

[Roxy]

I've tried samsung support but they aren't knowledgeable enough.

After my update on Dec 8th, my favorites folder pics have disappeared. I know the pics were there in Dec 6th as I used the folder.   I had over 1000 pics there over several years! All other pics are there. I checked backup on Google  photos and that folder isn't there. I have no idea what happened to it. I have plenty of space on my phone and the pics aren't in the trash folder either. I really need someone who understands and can look at the logs or how can I access my logs? Pls help as I had important information there! Thank you.  

[Sonora]

Do you see a Recent folder in Gallery?

If you have a backup to Google Photos, your photos are there, but Google doesn't store photos by folder in Gallery, but by date, or you have to arrange the folders in Google Photos yourself to look like in the Gallery

[AndrewL]

@Roxy : If you head to the Gallery app > Select the Albums tab > Select 'View all' in the top right corner, can you see the Favourites folder/album? If so, tap the Back button > Tap the 3 dots in the top right > Select essential albums > Tap on the Favourites album so a tick appears > Done. 

Let me know if this helps. 

[Moiramon]

The favourites isn't really a folder it's just a shortcut to your favourite photos. So the photos should still be available in the original album. I.E camera for instance. As seen in the screenshot the photo of the rabbit appears in both albums but is actually stored in the camera folder.

[Roxy]

No it wasn't there unfortunately 

[Roxy]

This makes sense so maybe the references where you ❤️ it to save there, those ❤️s are gone? How can I check those? I have over 15k pics and don't remember what was ❤️.

[Moiramon]

Unfortunately I don't think you can but at least you haven't lost the photos.

[Sonora]

Open Gallery settings, scroll all down, check if you have Gallery lab at the bottom. Tap Gallery lab and check if you have this turned on

 If you don't see Gallery Lab at the bottom of your settings, tap About Gallery ,tap on version of Gallery several times until you see a message that you've enabled Gallery Lab. Go back to Settings from Gallery and you should see that tab at the bottom, so tap it and turn on Show Favorites and Recent folders in albums.

[Roxy]

All folders were there except favorites on Google. 

Also in my Gallery, the favorites folder was there but empty, the folder wasn't missing. 

[Sonora]

Google create it's own folders, all your picture are saved by date, not by folders in Gallery.  Google Photos also have Favorites folder, you can manually add all your favorite photos there, but Google Photos Favorites folder isn't same as Samsung Gallery Favorites folder