Smart Switch deleted my content in gallery

[VaRe3]

On 30.12.2024, I encountered an issue after using the Smart Switch app. I had purchased my new phone before Christmas 2024 and had already taken around 2500 images on it. On 30.12, I used the Smart Switch app to transfer all images from my old phone to my new phone.

However, after the transfer, the 2500 images that were already stored on my new phone before the transfer are now missing. It seems that Smart Switch overwrote or replaced the existing gallery with the data from my old phone.

Unfortunately, I did not have OneDrive backup or any other form of backup enabled at the time. However, I can confirm that the Smart Switch history shows I used it on 30.12.

Request: Is there any way to restore my new phone to the state it was in before the Smart Switch transfer? I need help recovering the 2500 images that were deleted.

[JerryS]

Hi and welcome to the Community. Have you tried looking in the recycle bin of your new phone? (Tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right of gallery, then tap recycle bin).

[keith30]

Smart switch doesn't transfer any images you hold in your gallery app. You need to back them up to either Microsoft onedrive or Google photos first.

[VaRe3]

Yes I checked right after transfer, and there weren't any photos..

[VaRe3]

I didn't have backed up any of photos because I have too much images (around 200GB) and my drive is on 15GB and OneDrive is 5GB of free space.

[AndrewL]

@VaRe3: If the images are not visible in the Gallery app, swipe up from your Home screen > Tap the Samsung folder > My Files. Are the photos visible in the 'Images' category towards the top of the screen? Similarly, if you select Internal storage > DCIM > Camera, can you see the missing photos here? 

I also recommend heading to the Google folder in your apps drawer, and tapping on 'Photos' as an archive of your images may be present in this location, depending on your Google account settings (Wi-Fi connection required). 

[VaRe3]

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried everything you mentioned but unfortunately, I couldn't find the images or photos. I checked the 'Images' category in My Files, as well as Internal storage > DCIM > Camera, but there's nothing there. I also looked in the Google Photos app, but I don’t have my photos backed up to Google or any other service like OneDrive.