The designated storage area within the iOS 18 operating system temporarily retains images and videos that users have intentionally removed from their primary photo library. This feature provides a safety net, allowing recovery of media files accidentally or prematurely deleted. These files remain accessible in this section for a defined period, typically 30 days, before permanent erasure.
The implementation of this temporary storage mechanism serves as a crucial data preservation safeguard. It mitigates the risk of permanent data loss due to user error or regret. Historically, the absence of such a feature resulted in irreversible deletion, necessitating external backup solutions for data recovery. The contemporary design enhances user experience by providing a readily available retrieval option within the native operating system.