Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To restore a photo edited in Google Photos, open the photo, select Edit, choose Revert, and save when Google Photos asks. On a computer, use photos.google.com > open the photo > Edit > Revert > Save. Revert is a built-in Google Photos command; you do not need an external drive or another app.
What Revert does
Revert removes the edits stored on the selected Google Photos item and returns that item to its earlier, unedited appearance. Google Photos Help describes the mobile action as Edit followed by Revert; its computer instructions add a final Save step.
Before committing the change, compare the current preview with the original. On Android or iPhone, touch and hold the photo preview. On a computer, click and hold the photo. This lets you inspect the original before you discard the current edit.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe labels and location of controls can change as Google updates its apps and website. Some editing tools are not available on mobile web or on a computer, so a control you used on one platform may not appear on another.
#1 Best Overall
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Restore the original on Android
Standard steps
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Open the edited photo you want to restore.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap Revert.
- Review the original preview. If Google Photos presents a confirmation or save prompt, follow it to apply the reversion.
Google’s Android help identifies Edit and Revert as the undo workflow for an edited photo. If you want to check the result first, use the touch-and-hold comparison described above before confirming.
If the buttons look different
Look for the main photo-editing screen rather than a specific filter or adjustment panel. Revert is an action for the edited photo as a whole. If the app has been updated, the wording or placement may differ, but the function remains part of the photo’s editing controls when an undoable edit is present.
Restore the original on iPhone or iPad
Standard steps
- Open Google Photos and select the edited photo.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap Revert.
- Compare the preview if needed by touching and holding it.
- Accept any save or confirmation prompt shown by the app.
Google’s iOS instructions use the same Edit-then-Revert sequence as Android. The exact appearance can vary between app versions, so concentrate on the command names rather than the location of an icon.
Mobile-web limitation
If you opened Google Photos in a phone browser instead of the app, some editing features may not be available. When Revert is absent in mobile web, try the Google Photos app or the computer workflow at photos.google.com.
Rank #2
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Restore the original on a computer
Google Photos website steps
- Open photos.google.com in your browser.
- Open the edited photo.
- Click Edit.
- Click Revert.
- Click Save when prompted.
To inspect the original before applying the change, click and hold the photo preview. Release the mouse button to return to the edited view and decide whether Revert is appropriate.
When a computer control is unavailable
Google notes that editing capabilities are not identical across platforms. If the website does not show Revert, verify that you opened the same photo item that contains the edit, then check the Google Photos app on Android or iOS. The absence of Revert generally means there is no edit left for that item to undo, rather than that a separate recovery product is required.
Choose between Save and Save as copy
The result depends on how the edit was saved. Google Photos presents two save choices in supported editing workflows:
| Option | What happens | Can Revert undo it? | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Save | The changes are saved to the original photo item. | Yes, when the item still has an undoable edit. Google says Save may not be available for certain edits. | Use when you want the edited version to replace the current appearance and may want to undo that edit later. |
| Save as copy | Google Photos creates a new photo containing the edits and leaves the original item unchanged. | No. Google states that changes saved as a copy cannot be undone with Revert. | Use when you want an edited version while preserving a separate original. |
If you used Save
Open the edited item and use Edit > Revert. This returns that item to its earlier appearance, subject to the edit still being available for reversal.
Rank #3
- Ultra fast data transfers: the external hard drive works with USB 3.0 thickened copper cable to provide super fast transfer speeds. Theoretical read speed is as high as 110MB/s-133MB/s and write speed is as high as 103MB/s.
- Ultra-thin and quiet: the motherboard adopts a noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- Compatibility: compatible with PS4/xbox one/Windows/Linux/Mac/Android,Stable and fast downloading on game console no difference from fast transmission when using on PC.
- Plug and Play: no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use. The hard drive chip is wrapped with aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data
- Package Contents: 1* portable hard drive, 1 *USB 3.0 cable, 1*USB to type C adapter，1 *user manual, shell packaging, three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services
If you used Save as copy
Revert the original photo, not the new edited copy. The copy is a separate item, and Google Photos does not provide an undo operation that removes the copy’s edits. Find the original in your library and select it. If the original has its own edits, use Edit > Revert on that original item.
If you cannot tell which item is original, inspect the nearby photos in your library and compare their previews. Do not delete anything until you have identified the item you intend to keep.
A safe decision process before reverting
- Identify the item. Confirm that you opened the photo whose appearance changed. A Save as copy operation creates another library item, so the edited copy and original may both be present.
- Preview the original. Touch and hold on mobile or click and hold on a computer.
- Decide whether you want replacement or both versions. Revert changes the selected item back; Save as copy is the preservation choice for keeping an edited and original version separately.
- Apply Revert. Use the platform-specific steps above.
- Save or confirm. On the website, click Save. In the apps, complete the prompt shown after tapping Revert.
- Recheck the library. If you worked with a copy, open the original item rather than assuming the edited copy was changed.
When Revert is missing
Google’s troubleshooting guidance gives two ordinary explanations: the photo was never edited, or its edits have already been reverted. In either case, Google Photos has no remaining edit record for that item, so there is no Revert command to display.
Check the correct photo
- Return to the library and open the exact item whose appearance changed.
- If you selected Save as copy, locate the original item; the edited copy cannot be undone with Revert.
- Compare the preview with the original by holding the image on the device or computer.
Check the platform
Controls differ between Android, iOS, the desktop website and mobile web. If a feature is unavailable in one interface, use another supported interface rather than deleting the cloud item as a first response.
Rank #4
- 【Versatile Storage Expansion – For Gaming, Work & Everyday Use】 Running out of space on your PS5 or Xbox Series X/S? This external hard drive lets you store and play PS4 / Xbox One games directly, instantly freeing up your console’s internal storage for next‑gen titles. At the same time, it handles work file backups, media libraries, and cross‑device data transfers with ease. One drive, all your needs. *（Note: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S games cannot be run or stored directly from the external hard drive. However, by offloading your PS4 / Xbox One games, you can free up valuable space for newer titles.）*
- 【Patented Silicone Sleeve – Data Protection You Can Count On】 Worried about drops? We’ve got you covered. The patented built‑in silicone sleeve acts like a shock‑absorbing armor, cushioning your drive against bumps and falls. Whether it’s important work documents, precious family photos, or hard‑earned game saves, your data deserves this level of protection.
- 【Plug & Play, Compatible with Computers & Consoles】 No complicated setup—just plug in and go. Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, as well as PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Process files at the office, back up data at home, or enjoy gaming in your downtime—one drive handles all your devices, simply and hassle‑free.
- 【USB 3.0 Ultra‑Fast Transfer – No More Waiting】 Tired of watching progress bars crawl? With USB 3.0 speeds up to 5Gbps, large files transfer in seconds. Whether you’re moving work documents, transferring hundreds of gigs of games, or backing up a year’s worth of photos, you get more done in less time.
- 【Sleek, Lightweight, and Ready to Go】 Weighing just 0.16 kg—lighter than a can of soda—this compact drive features a stylish mirror‑and‑frosted finish. Toss it in your bag and go, whether you’re heading to the office, visiting a friend for a gaming session, or giving a presentation on the road.
Fix an incorrectly displayed photo on Android
Google documents a separate procedure for a specific Android problem in which a photo displays incorrectly. This is not the normal way to undo an edit. Use it only when the file itself appears wrong and the ordinary Edit-then-Revert workflow does not resolve the problem.
1. Check the file and compare versions
- Check the photo’s file name.
- Compare how the photo appears on the Android device with how it appears online in Google Photos.
- Open the same file in Files by Google to determine whether the incorrect display is also present in the device’s local file.
2. If Files by Google displays the photo correctly
- Use Edit > Revert in Google Photos if an edit is present.
- Save a backup copy to a computer.
- Verify that the backup exists and opens correctly.
- Only after confirming the backup, delete the backed-up cloud photo.
- Upload the verified backup again.
The backup must be made before deletion. An external drive can be used as an optional place to keep that downloaded backup, but it is not required for Revert or for the documented computer-backup step.
3. If Files by Google also displays it incorrectly
Google’s instructions say that Photos cannot recover the original file in this situation. Preserve any other copies you have before making further changes, because deleting the cloud item without a verified backup removes your opportunity to restore that particular version.
Recommended Free Tools
Why delete-and-reupload is not the normal fix
Deleting a cloud photo and uploading a backup is a recovery procedure for the documented incorrect-display scenario. It is not a replacement for Edit > Revert after an ordinary edit. Starting with deletion can remove the only recoverable copy if the backup was not successfully saved.
Best Value
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Common situations and the right action
| What you see | Likely explanation | Action |
|---|---|---|
| The photo has an Edit button and Revert is available. | The selected item has an undoable edit. | Preview with a hold gesture, then choose Revert and save or confirm. |
| Revert is not shown. | The item was never edited or its edits were already reverted; you may also be viewing a different item or platform. | Check the exact library item, look for an original when a copy was created, and try a supported app or the desktop site. |
| The edited copy remains unchanged after Revert. | Save as copy created a separate item. | Find and revert the original item. The copy’s edits cannot be undone with Revert. |
| The photo looks wrong on Android, but the local file is correct. | Google identifies this as an incorrect-display case. | Revert if applicable, download and verify a computer backup, then delete and re-upload only after the backup is safe. |
| The photo looks wrong in Files by Google too. | The local file itself is affected. | Google says Photos cannot recover the original file; look for another verified copy. |
How to avoid losing the original in future edits
Use Save as copy when both versions matter
Save as copy is the clearest choice when you want to experiment while retaining an untouched original in your library. It creates a new edited photo, so you can keep both items without relying on Revert.
Use Save when you intentionally want to change the current item
Save applies the edit to the original photo item when that option is available. If you later decide the edit was wrong, Revert is the built-in undo path while the edit remains reversible.
Preview before committing
Holding the preview provides a quick original-versus-current check on both mobile and computer. Use it before saving an edit and again before reverting, particularly when the adjustment is subtle.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Keep a verified backup before any deletion
If Google’s incorrect-display troubleshooting requires deleting a cloud photo, download the backup first and open it to verify that it is usable. Never treat an unverified download as protection.
Quick Recap
Limits to keep in mind
- Revert applies to the selected Google Photos item, not automatically to every visually identical copy in your library.
- A Save as copy result is a new item whose edits cannot be undone with Revert.
- Save may not be offered for certain edits, according to Google’s help documentation.
- Google Photos interfaces and available editing features can differ between Android, iOS, the desktop website and mobile web.
- Google’s documented incorrect-display recovery applies to that specific Android scenario; it should not replace the ordinary Revert workflow.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
