Learn how to recover deleted files from Android (2024)

Have you accidentally deleted something from your Android phone? Are you hoping to get it back by any chance? Well, you are not alone! We all have been in this heart-stopping situation.

However, the creators of smartphones understand that users can make mistakes. That's why they also provide solutions to help users when such mistakes occur.

In this article, we are going to see how to recover deleted files from Android. We will explore various ways that can help you get your data back, including contacts, videos, accidentally deleted photos, etc. Whether you deleted your important messages or they were your favorite pictures, we will find a way to restore them.

Let's get started!

Yes, you can restore deleted files from an Android device in certain situations. When a file is deleted from an Android device, it is not immediately removed permanently. Instead, it becomes marked as "deleted," and its space is marked as available for new data. Until new data overwrite that space, there is a chance to recover lost files from your SD card on Android .

Tip for Samsung users: Samsung has a Recycle Bin feature that contains deleted photos. If you want to recover deleted photos on Samsung, try recovering them from the Recycle Bin.

However, the success of file recovery depends on a few factors. These factors include how long ago the file was deleted, how much new data was added to the device, and the method you use to recover the file. To increase the chances of successful file recovery, it's best to act quickly and avoid using the device.

Some people are concerned about their data and regularly create backups. However, being human, they can also make mistakes. If you are someone who accidentally deleted files from your Android device but has a backup, fear not! Because I have good news for you. This backup can help recover deleted files. There are three methods that can assist you in retrieving the lost data. Let's explore them below:

Method 1. Recover with Google Backup

If you have a backup on Google, you can use this method. It can help you restore deleted files from Android phone. To recover the deleted data with Google Backup, follow the instructions given below:

1. Ensure that your Android phone is connected to the internet.
2. Go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Backup and restore. Make sure that the Back up my data toggle is enabled. If it is, move to the next step.

3. Now on your Android device, open Settings > About Phone > Reset > Factory data reset.

4. Once you click Factory data reset, your Android device will start performing a reset.
5. After a factory reset, you can set your device as new. During the setup process, select restore data from the previous backup.

Remember, you must have a backup on your Google account to perform this method. Plus, you should also know the credentials of the Google account that is linked to your Android phone.

If the above method doesn’t work for you, here is another one:

Method 2. Recover from Samsung Cloud

Another way to retrieve deleted files from Android is by using Samsung Cloud. But this method only works if the cloud backup was on before you deleted the files. If the Cloud backup is on, then follow the instructions given below:

1. Ensure that your Android phone has a stable internet connection.
2. Open Settings > Cloud and accounts > Samsung Cloud.

3. Now click on Restore data, select your device, and select what data you want to restore. Suppose your want to restore Messages, select messages.

4. Then click Restore, and the restoring process of your messages will start.
5. Similarly, you can also select other data such as Contacts, Gallery, Calendar, and more. You can select the category you want to restore.

Note: Samsung Cloud offers a limited amount of free storage space. If you have exceeded the free storage limit, you cannot restore all the data from Samsung Cloud.

Apart from Google and Samsung Cloud, you can also restore some of your deleted data from WhatsApp. Let’s move to it!

Method 3. Recover from WhatsApp Backup

Another easy way to recover deleted files from Android is WhatsApp Backup. To apply this method, you must have a recent backup of your deleted media files. However, this method can help you recover only the media you sent and received on WhatsApp. You can follow these instructions:

1. Uninstall Whatsapp from your Android device. Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Uninstall. Or long press on the WhatsApp app icon and select Uninstall.
2. Reinstall WhatsApp from Google Play Store and follow the initial setup process.
3. While the setup, you will be prompted to restore your chat history. Click the Restore option.
4. Once the chat history is restored, you can also restore your media files (photos, videos, audio files). Click the Restore option to start the restoration of media files.
5. Wait for the restoration process to complete. The time may vary depending on the size of the backup and the speed of your internet connection.

Note: Remember that restoration will restore your WhatsApp data from the updated backup. Any messages or media files received after the backup was created will be lost.

If you find the above methods lengthy or difficult, you can try the next method.

No doubt, we have explored various methods to restore data. But instead of spending a lot of time on something, we always look for shortcuts. To save you time, here comes MobileTrans. It is a desktop software that helps many users transfer, back up, and restore data between phones.

Now you don’t need to follow multiple steps and perform a factory reset to retrieve deleted files from your Android phone. This is because MobileTrans is going to do the same task in just three steps. Regardless of whether you're using an Android or an iPhone, if you've previously backed up your device to your computer using MobileTrans, you can now restore the backup. Yes, you heard it right! Three steps.

Steps to recover deleted files from Android

First, download the MobileTrans app on your computer, then follow the instructions given below:

Step 1:

Connect the Android phone to your computer or laptop via a USB cable, launch the MobileTrans application, and select the " "Restore" " option.

Step 2:

Now select the ""MobileTrans backup file"" option, and it will detect the backup files you have ever made.

Step 3:

Select the file types you'd like to restore and click the " "Start" " button. It will complete the restoration in a while.

Note: If you want to erase current data on the phone, you can tick "Clear data before copy." It's not checked by default.

One more way to restore the deleted files is through restoration apps. These apps are available on Google Play; you can download and use them to recover your deleted files. But the apps only work if your phone is operational. If its screen is broken or damaged, you can get help from MobileTrans.

With so many options on Google Play, you can get confused. To make it simple, here are three popular apps to recover deleted files on Android.

1. DiskDigger

DiskDigger is an easy-to-use Android app. It can help you recover deleted media from your device's internal storage or SD card. With just a few taps, it scans your device for deleted media and presents a list of recoverable items. You can preview the media and select the ones you want to restore.

Key Features:

• File recovery from multiple storage sources.
• Deep scanning to increase the chances of successful recovery.
• User-friendly interface for all levels of expert/non-expert users.
• Preview functionality to view and select specific files.
• Non-root option to recover without rooting the device.
• Cloud storage support for direct recovery.

2. Dumpster

Dumpster is also an Android app that acts as a virtual recycle bin for your device. It allows you to recover deleted files, photos, videos, and documents with just a few taps. Knowing that your important files are not permanently lost gives you peace of mind. With Dumpster, you can restore accidentally deleted items.

Key Features:

• Easy recovery of accidentally deleted files.
• Virtual recycle bin functionality for Android.
• Easy-to-use interface for an effortless experience.
• Option to preview deleted files before restoration.
• Cloud storage Integration for direct recovery.
• Efficient storage management.

3. Recuva

Recuva is another data recovery tool that can retrieve deleted media from your Android device without an internet connection. With its advanced scanning capabilities, Recuva can scan your device's storage and SD card to locate and restore deleted files. Recuva can also recover files that got lost due to virus attacks, formatting, or other reasons.

Key Features:

• File recovery from various storage sources.
• Quick and deep scan feature.
• Preview and select specific files for recovery
• User-friendly interface for all types of users.
• A portable version is available for use without installation.

Conclusion

Accidentally losing your phone's data can be heart-stopping. But fear not! There are various methods to recover it. You must act quickly, whether mistakenly deleted or lost your media files due to a system issue. In this article, we have provided a detailed guide with steps for each method. Hopefully, they have helped recover the deleted files.

However, the easiest and most effective solution to this problem is MobileTrans. This tool is not only limited to data recovery. It also offers features like data transfer, backup, and more. If you want a quick solution to transfer, back up, and restore all your Android files, download MobileTrans today!