Apple recently rolled out the iOS 17.5 update, introducing new features such as Cross-Platform Tracking Detection and Repair State mode on Find My, among other improvements. However, shortly after its release, reports emerged from iOS users claiming that their iPhones were mysteriously returning old deleted photos after updating to iOS 17.5. In some cases, these photos date back several years, appearing in users’ photo libraries as if newly uploaded to iCloud.
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iOS 17.5 Bug Reports of Reappearing Photos
A Reddit user was surprised to find old NSFW (Not Safe For Work) photos deleted in 2021 suddenly reappearing in their Photos app as newly uploaded. This phenomenon wasn’t isolated; several users shared similar experiences, with one stating, “I have four pictures from 2010 that keep reappearing as new photos uploaded to iCloud. I have deleted them repeatedly.”
Lack of Clear Explanation
The issue has triggered confusion among users as there’s no clear explanation for these occurrences. UsuallyWhen photos or videos are deleted in the Photos app, they are moved to the Recently Deleted album for 30 days before permanent deletion. However, since some users report photos deleted months or years ago resurfacing, it doesn’t appear to be a case of recently deleted photos being undeleted.
Apple’s Silence and Speculation
Apple has not officially commented on this issue yet. While the problem seems limited, it raises concerns about data privacy and retention. Speculation among Reddit users suggests that iOS 17.5 might have introduced changes to the Photos app, possibly requiring a re-indexing of photo libraries. However, even with such updates, deleted photos should not reappear.
Possible Causes and Conclusion
The reappearance of deleted photos could be attributed to photo library corruption, an indexing bug, or syncing issues between Apple devices and iCloud Photos. It’s also speculated that Apple might address a photo-syncing bug from a previous update. Only when Apple addresses this issue officially will the exact cause remain unclear.
In conclusion, the resurgence of old deleted photos on iOS 17.5 raises data management and privacy questions. Readers are encouraged to share their experiences in the comments section to gauge the scope of this issue and potential solutions.
