In today’s digital world, our phones contain vast amounts of precious data – photos, messages, documents, and more. For Android users, losing important data due to accidental or intentional deletion can be devastating. Thankfully, with the right tools and techniques, deleted data can often be recovered from Android devices.
This guide will provide an overview of how data recovery works for Android phones. We’ll explore the factors that affect successful recovery, from timing to backups. You’ll get step-by-step instructions for DIY recovery using both free and paid software solutions. We’ll also cover professional data recovery services for more serious cases of data loss.
By the end, Android users will have the knowledge to attempt recovering deleted files themselves or determine when it’s best to hand things over to the professionals. Let’s start digging into the possibility of rescuing your lost data!
How Deletion Works on Android
When a file is deleted on an Android device, it is not immediately erased from the storage. Instead, the file is simply marked as deleted in the file table, and the space it previously occupied is made available to be overwritten with new data. The actual contents of the deleted file remain intact until that space is needed again and is overwritten (source: https://www.makeuseof.com/best-ways-permanently-delete-android-data/).
This means deleted files can often be recovered, as long as the space they occupied has not yet been reallocated and overwritten. The longer a deleted file remains on the device without being overwritten, the greater the chance it can be forensically recovered by data recovery software (source: https://support.google.com/android/answer/9110661?hl=en).
To permanently delete a file so it cannot be recovered, the space it occupies needs to be overwritten with new dummy data, a process called data wiping or shredding. Factory resetting an Android device accomplishes this by overwriting all the deleted data. On non-rooted devices, users cannot directly overwrite deleted files.
Time Factor
The chances of successfully recovering deleted data from an Android device depend heavily on how much time has passed since the data was deleted. This is because of how deletion works on Android devices. When a file is deleted on an Android device, it is not actually erased right away. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as available and overwriteable. The actual contents of the file remain intact until that section of memory is overwritten with new data.
So the less time that has passed since a file was deleted, the greater the likelihood that its contents can still be recovered. This is because there is less chance it has been overwritten. For example, a file deleted minutes ago has a much higher chance of being recoverable compared to a file deleted weeks ago, as more new data may have been written in the same memory location. Google recommends restoring backups as soon as possible after data loss for the best chance of recovery.
Generally, the sooner data recovery is attempted after deletion, the better the chances that the original contents can be retrieved before being overwritten. Waiting too long greatly reduces the likelihood of successful data recovery.
Without Backup
If you don’t have a backup of your deleted Android data, third-party data recovery software is your best option for attempting to recover deleted files. There are several reputable data recovery programs such as EaseUS MobiSaver and EaseUS MobiSaver that can scan your Android device and recover deleted data.
These programs work by scanning the internal memory and external SD card for traces of deleted data that haven’t yet been overwritten. The sooner you run the recovery scan after deletion, the higher the chance of recovering your files. However, recovery can still be possible weeks or months later depending on the phone usage and storage conditions.
For best results, you’ll want to root your Android device first, as root access allows the recovery software to perform a more in-depth scan and reconstruction of deleted data. However, many programs can recover some deleted files without root.
Recovering data without a backup requires software, time, and some luck. But specialized Android data recovery programs offer the best chance when backups are not available.
With Backup
One of the main recovery options for deleted data on Android phones is utilizing backups from Google cloud services. Android phones have built-in integration with Google Drive for automated backups. According to Google’s support article, you can back up content, data, and settings from your Android phone to your Google Account and later restore it to the original or new phone (source).
To restore data from a Google Drive backup, you first need to ensure backup is enabled on your Android phone. Open the Settings app, go to System > Backup and tap on “Back up to Google Drive” to enable it. With this enabled, your device data like apps, contacts, messages etc. will periodically back up. If you have deleted files on your device and need to restore them, simply go to the Google Drive app and look under Backup. You can pick and choose which data to restore (source).
According to Google’s guide, you can also manually initiate a backup at any time or schedule regular backups. The guide provides step-by-step instructions to backup and restore data from Google Drive (source). Using Google’s integrated cloud backup options provides an easy way to recover deleted data on Android phones.
Specific File Types
Different types of files like photos, messages, documents etc. often require specific methods for recovery. Here are some tips for recovering common file types on Android devices:
Photos – Deleted photos may still be recoverable from the device’s internal storage or SD card using data recovery apps like Recovering Deleted Photos android. Photos stored in the cloud like Google Photos may also be recoverable by logging into the cloud account.
Messages – SMS text messages and chat messages like WhatsApp are more difficult to recover after deletion. Apps like SMS Backup & Restore can potentially recover deleted SMS messages if you had previously set up backup. Chats may be irretrievable unless you had cloud backup enabled.
Documents – Documents deleted from cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox can often be recovered by logging into the cloud account and looking in the trash or version history. Documents only saved locally are harder to get back.
Call History – Apps like Call History Restore can recover deleted call logs and history, provided the device is rooted. Without root access, call logs are likely unrecoverable if deleted.
Prevention
The best way to avoid needing data recovery on an Android phone is to take preventative measures. Some tips include:
- Back up your Android phone regularly. Enable automatic backups to Google Drive or use a third-party backup app. This ensures you have a copy of your data if something goes wrong.
- Be careful about which files you delete. Only delete content you are certain you no longer need. Double check before emptying the trash or recycling bin.
- Disable automatic deletion features that clear space by removing photos, downloads, etc after a set time. This prevents accidental data loss.
- Use cloud storage rather than just device storage. Sync files such as photos to the cloud so they aren’t only saved locally.
- Install Android updates promptly. Updates often include bug fixes for potential data loss issues.
- Avoid suspicious apps and do not root your device. This reduces the risk of malware or system instability.
Regular backups are the best precaution against needing data recovery. You can then easily restore missing or deleted files from a backup.
Source: https://darwinsdata.com/does-android-data-recovery-work/
When to Seek Professional Help
There are certain situations where attempting DIY data recovery on an Android device is not recommended and it is better to seek help from a professional service. This includes:
- Extensive physical damage like a shattered screen, water damage, etc. Attempting recovery yourself could further destroy components.
- Failed flashing of system files or OS corruption. This requires expertise to troubleshoot and recover data.
- Encrypted storage where you forgot the password or PIN. Specialized tools and techniques are needed to bypass encryption.
- Very large storage capacity that is not practical to scan fully with DIY tools. Professionals have more advanced equipment.
- Lack of technical skills or time for complicated recovery process. Professionals can complete it faster.
In general, if you deleted data accidentally and the phone is still functioning normally, you can try using free recovery apps first. But if hardware damage or system issues are preventing access to data, it is wise to employ a reputed professional Android data recovery service for the best chance of recovering your files successfully.
Data Recovery Services
Android users who experience data loss and are unable to recover it themselves may consider turning to professional data recovery services for help. Companies such as DriveSavers and Ace Data Recovery specialize in recovering lost data from Android devices and have extensive experience doing so.
These services have access to advanced data recovery tools and techniques that go beyond what everyday users can access. They are able to disassemble devices, access internal memory chips, and extract raw data off of them. This gives them the best chance of recovering deleted files.
The data recovery process typically begins with a remote or in-person consultation to assess the device and understand the data loss scenario. The device is then physically sent to a cleanroom data recovery lab. Experts disassemble it and use proprietary software and hardware to scan memory components and extract recoverable data. This is a highly technical process requiring specialized skills.
Recovered Android data is returned on a new external storage device or via secure cloud transfer. Most companies offer free evaluations and only charge if data is successfully recovered. Prices range based on the device, complexity, and amount of data recovered.
Professional data recovery can sometimes retrieve data even after a factory reset or when standard recovery methods fail. However, there is no guarantee of success, and it can be an expensive process. But for valuable or irreplaceable data, it may be worth the effort and cost.
Conclusion
In summary, while deleted data may seem gone forever on an Android phone, there are several ways to potentially recover it depending on the situation. The time elapsed since deletion is a major factor, as the sooner data recovery is attempted, the higher the chances of success. Having a backup of the deleted data, either locally or in the cloud, makes recovery far more likely. Specific file types like photos may be retrievable from online accounts even after deletion from the phone. Prevention methods like regularly backing up data can avoid the need for recovery altogether. In dire cases without backups, professional data recovery services may be able to salvage data, but often at high costs. The key point is that with the right tools, backups, and prompt action, deleted Android data can frequently be recovered fully or partially, so don’t panic if you’ve accidentally deleted important files.