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Nobody likes a snitch, but sometimes your favorite devices betray you.
Like the Brit whose wife found text messages to a prostitute on his iPhone and he thought he had deleted them. Now he is suing Apple for $6 million for storing the messages in iCloud.
But even if you’re not doing anything suspicious, your deleted messages, photos, and other files don’t go away immediately.
They usually stay on for at least a month, so it’s worth getting them back, which can cause problems if you sell or lend your phone to someone, or if you share devices with your children or partner.
Here’s how to ensure your private images and documents don’t return from the digital grave.
Your deleted messages still exist
Even if you’re not doing anything suspicious, your deleted messages, photos, and other files don’t disappear right away. They usually stay there for at least a month, so you need to get them back.
That’s the basis of this scoundrel’s lawsuit. He was arranging a secret rendezvous, not realizing that when you sign in to iCloud, messages sync across all devices even when you delete them from one.
On an iPhone:
● Tap Filters at the top of your message list.
● Select Recently Deleted to recover texts or delete them forever.
On Android, the default Google Messages app doesn’t have a recycle bin. If you delete a text message from there, it will be deleted forever.
But if you use a different messaging app, look for a recently deleted section.
Photos and videos
This is often a good thing because you can find photos you deleted and changed your mind about, like that selfie where you looked great.
In Photos on an iPhone:
● Go to Albums and scroll down to Recently Deleted.
● You can recover recently deleted photos and videos or delete them forever.
On Google Photos:
● Go to Library > Trash to find deleted files and take action on them.
Other photo apps will have a similar section. Just search for terms like deleted or trash.
Other files
Your phone also has lockers for general files. Here you’ll find items you’ve downloaded and anything else that doesn’t fit into another category.
On iPhone:
● Open Files > Explore > Recently Deleted.
On Android:
● Open Files > Menu (the three lines, top left) > Trash.
Stay in sync
If you have sync enabled, your apps and devices will always sync with the cloud and other devices. But there are a lot of things to keep in mind.
If you want to sell your device, you’ll want to know how to turn it off. And if syncing is accidentally turned off, something you delete on one device could end up on another.
For Apple devices: Tap your name at the top of Settings on an iPhone or iPad, then tap iCloud to see what’s syncing. On a Mac, it’s System Settings, then your name, then iCloud.
If you use a combination of Windows, Android and Apple…
Radio show host Kim Komando offers tips to help people navigate the world of technology.
It’s a bit more complicated. The first thing is to check the synchronization settings in the browser.
For Chrome on Windows and macOS:
● Click on the three dots in the top right corner > Settings.
● Open You & Google > Sync & Google services.
● Click Manage what you sync.
● Make sure Sync All is selected.
If you’re using the Phone Link app on Windows to sync your Android or iPhone and want to stop syncing, make sure you disconnect it from your phone.
● Home Menu > Phone Link > Click the gear icon (top right).
● Choose My devices.
● Click the three dots next to a phone, then click Delete to disconnect it.
iCloud for Windows is another tool you can have set up if you use an iPhone or a Mac (or both) running Windows. Launch the app from the Start menu to check what’s syncing, including photos, videos, and files.
And remember any other file sharing apps you use, like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
Keep your digital life private
In today’s technology-driven world, your devices know more about you than your best friend. Ensuring your privacy involves more than just locking your phone – it’s about understanding how your devices handle your personal data.
Apple fans, take heed: Your iPhone and iPad have built-in tools to keep your data safe, but don’t get too comfortable. Periodically check the Photos app and clean out the Recently Deleted folder.
Those “deleted” selfies and screenshots stay there longer than you think.
Keep an eye on your Mac’s iCloud settings to make sure you’re not accidentally sharing more than you intend.
Windows warriors, this one’s for you: the integration of services like iCloud for Windows and the Phone Link app can be a lifesaver, but it also requires careful management. Don’t let old devices sit in your sync settings — disconnect them to prevent unwanted data access.
No matter what platform you use, keep your software up to date. Outdated apps and systems are like open doors for hackers. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication to give your accounts an extra layer of security.
Let’s not forget about your browser. Whether you use Chrome, Safari, or Edge, your sync settings can reveal more information about your habits than you’d like. Make sure you’re only syncing what you need.
By following these tips, you’ll keep your personal information from falling into the wrong hands and maintain control over your digital footprint. Remember, a little vigilance goes a long way in our interconnected world.
