Missing group of photos on 2 phones

[Kalvos]

Hi all,

On April 1, 2025 (not a joke), photos on two different A53 phones from about noon to 2:37pm either did not save when taken or have disappeared. I have checked backups, trash, etc., (both Samsung and Google) and there's no evidence of them. These were photos of ancient objects and architecture at the Reggio di Calabria Archaeological Museum. After 2:37pm (2:37:40 and 2:37:44) at the museum, all the photos are intact.

We were visiting to see the Riace Bronzes, and we all had to stand in a decontamination chamber for four minutes before being allowed to enter the exhibit room. This is the only thing that was different -- all photos missing on both phones are between entering the museum through visiting the Riace Bronzes room.

Any advice? Or is this just a Twilight Zone mystery?

Thanks!

Dennis a/k/a Kalvos

[realaud]

Maybe they have camera jammers at the museum, since you said it ocuured durin a very specific time frame.

[Kalvos]

I don't think cell phone jammers would affect taking the photo, though, only transmitting it. Thanks for the idea ... maybe there's new technology? And it's strange that all the photos taken in the museum but after leaving the museum's decontamination chamber are fine.

[realaud]

Something in the museum prevented you from having photos. Were the items behind glass?

[Kalvos]

A few were behind glass, but most were statues, busts, cornices, and other large objects -- and even explanation text posters. It was a typical archeological museum where photos were allowed. And, to repeat, all photos after leaving the chamber were fine.

[realaud]

Have you checked the trash?

[Kalvos]

Of course. And I checked hidden files and folders, and copied recycled files to my PC to see what they were, etc. Someone on FB suggested that since Knox is part of the phone (not enabled as far as I know) that museums have entered into an agreement not to save photos taken in one. But it doesn't make much sense since the photos in the museum after 2:37 are intact.

[realaud · Accepted solution]

I have no explanation other than demons.