Home Android Tools How to Recover Deleted Files From Android Phones or Tablets

How to Recover Deleted Files From Android Phones or Tablets

by kaburulu

Most of us have experienced the horror of accidentally deleting photos or a files from our Android devices. A lot of people automatically assume that there’s nothing they can do to retrieve their files. Luckily, data recovery is still possible. Read on to find out how to recover deleted files.

Understanding Where Data is Stored

Before you can start the process of retrieving deleted files, it’s crucial for you to know where your files are stored in the first place. Android devices store files in two areas – internal memory and external memory. The latter typically is in the form of an SD card.

An android device’s internal memory is basically its hard drive. It’s a permanent fixture of the device and can store a wide range of data, including apps, music, photos, and videos. Each device has a different storage capacities. If you’re wondering about your mobile or tablet storage space, go to Settings > Storage and check.

As previously mentioned, the external memory typically comes in the form of an SD card. This provides your tablet or phone with extra storage space to store data like documents, music, and photos. You can also store some select apps, although there are apps that cannot be stored on these cards. To access or check your external storage, tap on Settings > Storage and scroll down to find SD card.

Steps Before Recovering Deleted Files From Android Devices

There are many ways that files are lost or deleted. Android users can lose files when undergoing a system update, when changing devices, or even by accident. Luckily, you can still recover your data.

There are three ways you can use to recover your files – from backup, via a data recovery software for Android, and by going to a data recovery services company.  However, you need to understand how Android devices deal with deleted files.

When a file is deleted, it still remains on the device but the space is now marked as unused. This means the space is open to save new data. Once that space is used by new data, the deleted data is overwritten and permanently removed. To ensure that you can still retrieve files, it’s crucial that you stop creating new data and start the recovery process immediately. Therefore, you should turn off your network connection and refrain from using your device.

How to Retrieve Deleted Files Using Recovery Software

One of the best ways to recover deleted files is to use an Android recovery software. However, you should use a computer for this process since installing the app could result in files being overwritten. Here are the other steps you should take:

  • Step # 1: Connect Android Device to PC

Start by installing and running a phone memory recovery app for Android devices on your computer. Once done, connect your device to your PC using a USB cable.

  • Step # 2: Start USB Debugging

Open your Android device and allow for USB debugging. This is essential for the computer to connect and communicate with the device.

  • Android 2.3 or older: Go to Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging
  • Android 3.0 to 4.1: Go to Settings > Developer Options > USB debugging
  • Android 4.2 and newer: Go to Settings > About Phone. Tap Build Number several times until you hit the dialogue box that says “You are under developer mode.” Go back to Settings > Developer options > UB debugging
  • Step # 3: Choose File to Recover

 After turning on debugging and once the device is successfully connected, you’ll be asked to choose the type of files you want to restore. Tick documents, photos, and other files that you need and click Next.

  • Step # 4: Analyze Device and Get Authorization to Scan Files

The program will then check device information and attempt to get root permission. This is essential to accessing the deleted files. Wait for a screen asks to “Allow/Grant/Authorize” and tap the button. Once the program receives root permission, the deleted files will be scanned.

  • Step # 5: Preview and Begin File Recovery

All the files will be shown once the deleted data have been found. Choose the deleted files you want and click “Recover.” The files will then be recovered and saved on your computer.

Deleted files are no longer a lost cause. You can still save those all-important videos and photos by using a data recovery software. But if you’re not confident that you can do a hard drive recovery, it’s best if you go to a professional like Datlabs Data Recovery. They have the skills and experience to retrieve vital data.

You may also like