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Losing important files from an Android phone is a common occurrence and is one of the most stressful experiences anyone can have. Losing documents, photos, videos, and other necessary data can lead to severe frustrations. For instance, when the files are mistakenly deleted, formatted, or corrupted, retrieving them can seem like a daunting task. That being said, it’s essential not to panic as multiple methods can be employed to recover deleted files from an Android phone. Therefore, if you’re faced with such a situation, this blog is the right spot for you. Here, we suggest several ways that you can use to recover your deleted files and get back to your business.
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The Challenge of How to Recover Deleted Files from My Android Phone
While modern smartphones have become more reliable, losing files is still a common occurrence. Causes for accidentally deleting a file from your phone can stem from various reasons such as:
- Human error, for instance, accidentally deleting files that were not meant to be deleted
- Formatting the phone, which could lead to data loss
- Virus attacks that corrupt the system
- System malfunction, which can stop the device from booting up
- Physical damage to the phone which could render it useless
Whatever the reason, recovering deleted files is a necessary skill that everyone who uses a smartphone should know.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before going into the different methods for recovering deleted files from Android phones, there are a few things you need to consider and prepare.
First, stop using the phone immediately. If the files were accidentally deleted, using the phone can decrease the chances of recovering them. Secondly, you need to have a powerful data recovery tool. There are several tools available online that can help recover lost files from Android phones. Lastly, you will require a computer to connect your phone to when using some of the recovery methods we suggest.
Method 1: Recovering Files via Google Drive
Google Drive is an excellent cloud service that offers free storage. When you download Google Drive on your phone, certain settings can enable you to recover deleted files.
Before moving to the steps, let’s understand the Pros and Cons of using this method.
Pros:
- This is a free service
- You can recover files from anywhere if you have an internet connection
- The automatic backup feature ensures you don’t lose your files again
Cons:
- You cannot recover files that were not saved to Google Drive
- The files have to be backed up to Google Drive to be recovered
- It can take a long time to restore files if you have massive data on Google Drive
Steps to Recover Files via Google Drive:
- Open Google Drive on your Android phone
- Tap on the "three horizontal lines" in the top left corner of the app
- Select "Backups" from the list, and you’ll be directed to the backups screen
- Choose the file you want to restore
- Tap on the "Restore" option
- Depending on the file size, it might take some time to restore the file(s)
Method 2: Recovering Files via Third-Party Software – EaseUS MobiSaver
EaseUS MobiSaver is one of the most popular third-party software available for recovering lost files on Android phones. It has an intuitive interface and offers the ability to recover a lot of different types of files.
Before moving to the steps, let’s understand the Pros and Cons of using this method.
Pros:
- Offers the ability to recover many different types of files
- The trial version is free
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- The free version has limited features
- It can take time to recover large amounts of data
- Rooting your phone gives you access to additional features that are not available in the none-rooted version
Steps to Recover Files using EaseUS MobiSaver:
- Download and install EaseUS MobiSaver on your computer.
- Connect your Android phone to the PC using a USB cable, and enable USB debugging mode on the phone.
- Run EaseUS MobiSaver and select the types of files you want to recover.
- Click the "Scan" button to start the scanning process
- Once the scanning is complete, select the files you want to recover
- Click the "Recover" button
Method 3: Recovering Files with DiskDigger
DiskDigger is another popular third-party software that you can use to recover deleted files from your Android phone. It is easy to use and offers multiple options to recover deleted files.
Before moving to the steps, let’s understand the Pros and Cons of using this method.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Scans the deepest part of the phone’s memory to recover deleted files
- Can recover files that were not backed up
Cons:
- Files are not organized after the scan, and it can be hard to locate specific files
- Takes time to scan the entire phone memory
- The free version has some limitations
Steps to Recover Files with DiskDigger:
- Download and install DiskDigger from the Google Play Store.
- Launch DiskDigger and select the type of files you want to recover during the scanning process.
- Click on "Start basic photo scan "or "Start full scan"
- When the scan is complete, select the files you want to recover
- Choose the "Recover" option and wait until the process is complete
Method 4: Recovering Files with Android Data Recovery
Using Android Data Recovery is another way to recover deleted files from an Android phone. This software comes in both Windows and Mac versions and can retrieve files even if the device is broken or does not turn on.
Before moving to the steps, let’s understand the Pros and Cons of using this method.
Pros:
- It can recover data even if the phone is dead or not booting up
- All types of files can be recovered using Android Data Recovery Software
- This method is widely used and provides a high success rate
Cons:
- The paid version is expensive and may not be in everyone’s budget
- Rooting the phone is required to use some features
- The scanning process can take a long time, depending on the device’s memory size
Steps to Recover Files with Android Data Recovery:
- Download and install Android Data Recovery on your computer.
- Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable.
- Open Android Data Recovery and follow the onscreen instructions.
- Select the file types you want to recover, then click "Next"
- Wait for the scan to complete
- Preview and select the files you want to recover, and click "Recover"
Pros:
- Can recover files even from a broken or dead device
- All types of files can be recovered
- Provides a high success rate
Cons:
- Rooting the device may be required
- Expensive paid version
- Scanning process is time-consuming
Method 5: Recovering Files with Google Photos
Google Photos isn’t just for storing your favorite pictures and videos. It can also serve as a way to recover deleted files that were backed up to the cloud.
Before moving to the steps, let’s understand the Pros and Cons of using this method.
Pros:
- Recovers deleted files that have been backed up to your Google account
- Offers an easy way to sync your photos and videos to your cloud storage
- Can restore photos and videos to Android or iOS devices
Cons:
- Can only recover files that have been backed up to your Google account
- Images and video quality may have been compressed
- May require a stable internet connection
Steps to Recover Files with Google Photos:
- Open Google Photos on your Android device and sign in.
- Tap "Menu" at the top left corner of the screen.
- Select "Trash" to view the deleted items.
- Select the files you want to restore and tap "Restore."
Why Can’t I Recover My Deleted Files?
You cannot recover deleted files from your Android phone for several reasons, such as deleting files from the recycle bin, overwriting files, or formatting the phone. However, here are the three most common reasons people can’t recover deleted files:
1. Android phone OS automatically deletes files
A common reason why deleted files can’t be recovered is because an Android phone’s operating system has limits on the number of files that can be stored in the recycle bin. When this limit is reached, the phone automatically begins to delete older files.
2. Your Deleted Files Were Overwritten
Overwriting occurs when new data is stored on the same storage partition as the original deleted files, making them impossible to recover.
3. Your Files Were not encrypted Before Deletion
If you delete an encrypted file, it can’t be recovered because your phone doesn’t know how to decrypt it without the original key.
Additional Tips:
- Always check the recycle bin to make sure files are not there before moving to any of the recovery methods.
- Stop using the device immediately after experiencing data loss to avoid overwriting the deleted files.
- Ensure all data is backed up regularly to prevent data loss.
5 FAQs about Recovering Deleted Files from an Android Phone
Q1: What types of files can I recover using data recovery software?
A: Data recovery software can recover almost all types of files, including documents, photos, videos, audio files, and app data.
Q2: Can files be recovered if they were not backed up?
A: Yes, disk scanning or Android Data Recovery software such as EaseUS MobiSaver and DiskDigger can recover files that were not backed up to the cloud.
Q3: Can I recover deleted files without software?
A: Yes, Google Drive offers a simple way to recover files that were backed up to the cloud.
Q4: What is rooting, and why is it necessary for data recovery?
A: Rooting is the process of allowing users of Android smartphones to access the core software of the phone and grant administrator-level permissions. Some data recovery apps may require your device to be rooted before they can be used.
Q5: Why is Google Photos a better option for recovery than cloud storage services?
A: Google Photos offers a more convenient way to recover deleted files due to its cloud syncing features and user-friendly interface.
In Conclusion
Recovering deleted files from your Android phone can be a stressful experience, but it isn’t a hopeless situation. With several recovery methods available, you can easily recover most deleted files. It is essential to stop using your phone immediately after losing files to prevent overwriting them. You also need to back up your data regularly and consider purchasing data recovery software to enhance your odds of successful data recovery.