How to Recover Files on Android - Support.com (2024)

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

It can be a very frustrating or even heartbreaking experience to lose your images. Missing photos and videos can be lost forever from your Android device. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to protect those precious memories.

Tools You'll Need:

• A paperclip
• iPhone charging cable
• Access to a computer with iTunes installed
• Any other non-consumable tools needed
• Comment out tools section if no tools are necessary

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Supplies You'll Need:

• Zip ties
• Any other consumable supplies
• Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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Before You Begin:

• You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
• You must have that thing for the other thing so you can do the thing.

You must have this thing before you whatever.

• Title of GP User Should Do First
• Title of GP User Should Do First
• Each individual prereq should have its own box like this. Not all will contain multiple links.
• Comment out prerequisites section if no prereqs are necessary

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2. Restore Deleted Items using Google Photos

With the Google Photos app you can back up unlimited photos and videos for free, providing they're smaller than 16MP and 1080p resolution.

If you're signed up to Google Photos and have been using it, you can use it now to get your image and video files back.

1. Open the Google Photos app.
   

1. Swipe from the left, and select TrashorBin.
   

1. Select Restore at the top.
   

1. Select any images you wish to restore, then select Restore at the bottom right.
   

3. Restore Deleted Items using Google Drive

Alternatively, if you don't have Google Photos or it isn't a lost image you're after, Google Drive allows you to share your files easily between all your devices, as well as access them from anywhere in the world on any other computer you can access.

Like Google Photos, unless you've intentionally set it up, you won't be able to get your files back.

1. Open the Google Drive app.
   

1. Swipe from left to right, and select Trash.
   

1. Look through the files listed for missing files.
   
2. If you see a file you wish to restore, select the 3-dot menufor that file.
   

1. Select Restore from the menu.
   

4. If My Files Couldn't Be Saved

We were unable to locate the file on your device, and all the backup resources that are available are either not in use, or do not contain the file.

The next option is professional data recovery. These services can be quite expensive, depending on how much data is lost, and how the data was lost in the first place.