Losing important data on your Android device can be frustrating. Whether you accidentally deleted a file or performed a factory reset, you may be wondering if it’s possible to recover deleted data on Android. The short answer is yes, there are ways to try to get back deleted files on Android phones and tablets. However, success is not guaranteed and depends on several factors.
Can you recover recently deleted files on Android?
If you just deleted data from your Android device very recently, then you have a good chance of being able to recover it. When you delete files on Android, they are not immediately erased from the device’s storage. Instead, the space they were occupying is marked as available and can be overwritten with new data. As long as this has not happened yet, data recovery software should be able to scan your device’s storage and restore recently deleted files.
Most Android data recovery apps are designed to recover deleted data that is up to 2 weeks old. The sooner you act after deletion, the higher the chances of successful recovery. If it has been more than 2 weeks, recovered files become more fragmented and corrupted.
What are the chances of recovering older deleted Android data?
Recovering files that were deleted longer ago becomes progressively more difficult. Data may be partially or completely overwritten by new data after weeks or months. However, data recovery specialists may still be able to recover some deleted files from older Android devices using advanced techniques.
Methods like file carving can reconstruct files by searching storage for familiar patterns associated with certain file types. However, recovered older files are likely to be incomplete or corrupted. The chances of recovering intact files decreases over time.
Does factory reset remove all data permanently?
Performing a factory reset on your Android device will delete all user data and reset the device back to default factory settings. Many assume this removes all traces of data permanently. However, data recovery is still potentially possible in some circumstances after factory reset.
When reset, the references to the existing files are removed from the file system table. The files themselves are not wiped immediately. They remain on the storage media until being overwritten by new data. If no new data has yet been written, then recovery software can scan storage and restore a large amount of deleted data.
However, the longer you wait after a reset before attempting recovery, the lower your chances of success as more data is likely to be overwritten. There is a small window immediately after a factory reset where recovery success can be moderate to high for a skilled specialist.
Can you recover from a lost or broken Android device?
If your Android phone or tablet is damaged, unusable, or lost, you may still be able to recover its data. Here are some scenarios where data recovery is possible:
- Phone is physically damaged – Data may be recoverable by removing storage chip and using specialist hardware.
- Phone is water damaged – Professional drying out and chip removal can enable data recovery.
- Device is stuck in boot loop – Chip can be removed and scanned separately.
- Device can’t be powered on – Storage chip can be connected to recovery hardware.
- Device is lost – If location is unknown, remote wipe can prevent data recovery.
The common thread is gaining access to the device’s storage chip and scanning it with data recovery software and hardware. This often requires expert skills to safely remove the chip without further damage.
What file types can be recovered on Android?
Almost all file types have the potential to be recovered by Android data recovery software and services. This includes:
- Photos and images – JPG, PNG, BMP, etc.
- Videos – MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.
- Audio – MP3, WAV, AIFF, etc.
- Documents – Word, Excel, PDF, etc.
- App data files and databases.
- System files and folders.
- Contacts, call logs, messages (device dependent).
As long as the file has intact data on the storage media, exists in a known file format, and has not been overwritten, then recovery is often possible.
What factors affect the success of Android data recovery?
There are several key factors that influence the likelihood of successfully recovering lost or deleted data from an Android device:
- Time since deletion – The less time that has passed, the higher chance of intact file recovery.
- Overwrite activity – New data writing over deleted files makes recovery impossible.
- Android version – Older versions have less secure deletion making recover easier.
- Device rooting – Rooted devices allow more data access, improving recovery success.
- File system – The way storage is formatted impacts deleted file recovery.
- Encryption – Enabled encryption makes successful data recovery less likely.
Understanding these factors lets you realistically assess the chances of recovering lost Android data in your specific situation.
Can you recover Android data without root?
Root access gives deeper system control and improves data recovery capabilities. However, many apps and services can recover deleted Android files without root access:
- Android Data Recovery – Recovers messages, contacts, photos, app data, etc. from Android devices.
- Dumpster – Restores recently deleted photos and videos without root.
- DigiLab Data Recovery – Powerful deep scan recovery tool for Android.
- DiskDigger – Undeletes photos, videos, documents, and other files.
These use various techniques like scanning storage for file patterns and parsing backup files. However, root access enables more comprehensive scanning and increases the chance of intact file recovery.
Is it possible to recover deleted Android text messages?
Recovering deleted text messages on Android is often possible, but success depends on the device model and recovery method. Older Android versions stored SMS messages as simple files that are easily recovered. Newer versions use encrypted databases needing advanced techniques.
For newer Android versions, a common SMS recovery technique involves extracting and decoding message databases from app data or cloud backups. SMS recovery apps like FoneDog Toolkit scan these backups to find and restore message transcripts and attachments.
Can you recover permanently deleted photos on Android?
Many Android file managers and photos apps include a permanent delete option that is designed to prevent recovery. While data recovery becomes more difficult, it may still be possible in some cases to restore photos deleted in this way.
Unless storage has been forensically wiped, permanent deletion usually just removes a file’s index entry without overwriting its data immediately. A skilled recovery specialist can scan the raw storage content blocks for photo file signatures and reconstruct them.
However, this becomes less viable over time as permanent deleted photo data is overwritten by new content. Quick action is needed for highest recovery success rates.
Is deleted Android data gone forever after a factory reset?
No, Android data is not necessarily gone forever after a factory reset. As mentioned earlier, performing a factory reset simply removes file indexing and marks space as available rather than overwriting it immediately.
In the period right after a reset, while little new data is present, recovery success rates can be moderately high for a specialist. However, the likelihood of intact file recovery diminishes progressively as new data overwrites more deleted files.
Can professionals recover anything from a factory reset Android?
It depends on what you mean by “anything”. Skilled Android data recovery professionals use techniques like:
- Chip removal to directly access NAND flash storage.
- Reading raw data blocks and parsing file patterns.
- Exploiting OS and app data remnants.
- Accessing cloud backup archives.
This lets them recover a wide variety of deleted data types from factory reset devices if acted on quickly enough. However, unfragmented recovery of entire original datasets is unrealistic due to inevitable data loss over time.
What are the best free Android data recovery apps?
Some of the top free Android file recovery apps include:
| App | Key Features |
|---|---|
| DiskDigger | Recovers photos, videos, archives, documents. |
| Dumpster | Recovers recently deleted photos, videos. |
| DigiLab Data Recovery | Powerful deep scan capabilities. |
| Android Data Recovery | Extracts data from backups. |
Free recovery apps provide basic undelete and scan features. For more complex cases, premium data recovery services may have higher success rates.
What are the limitations of free recovery apps?
Free Android file recovery apps have certain limitations including:
- Limited scan capabilities – Can’t access low level storage data.
- Slower, less thorough scanning.
- Typically no customer service support.
- Lack of updates and new features.
- No physical device and chip level data access.
- Constraints on recoverable data types.
- Higher likelihood of corrupted recovered files.
Pro and premium recovery services overcome these by providing deeper scans, raw storage access, live support, extensive capabilities, and higher success rates.
What Android recovery apps have the highest success rate?
Based on independent testing and verified user reviews, these Android apps show consistently high recovery success rates:
- EaseUS MobiSaver – Up to 98% recovery rate for recently deleted files.
- Tenorshare UltData – Up to 95% SMS message recovery rate.
- Disk Drill – 90%+ success rate for lost document and photo recovery.
- iSkysoft Toolbox – Over 80% recovery rate across file types.
Factors like scan depth, chip access, Android OS expertise and data parsing capabilities contribute to the high success benchmarks of top end providers.
Can you recover data after factory reset without a computer?
Most factory reset recovery methods require a computer to connect the Android device or its storage chip for scanning. However, a small number of apps claim to recover post-reset data directly on device:
- Lazesoft Recovery – Claims on-device data restoration after wipe or reset.
- Secure DATA Recovery – Advertises recover without PC connection.
- Data Retrievor – App with on phone data recovery capabilities.
However, reviews indicate these in-device recovery techniques have limitations and low success rates. A computer connection is still recommended for any complex reset recovery scenario.
Is data recovery expensive for Android devices?
The cost of professional Android data recovery services varies quite a bit depending on your specific needs. Here are some typical price ranges:
- Basic photo or file undelete from $100 – $300.
- Extensive phone/tablet scan from $200 – $800.
- Complex device chip-off recovery from $500 – $1500.
- Emergency on-site recovery visit over $1000.
Factors like device model, encryption, physical condition and time pressures impact pricing. However, recovering crucial lost Android data may well be worth the investment in many cases.
How can you avoid needing to recover Android data?
Some best practice tips to avoid needing Android recovery include:
- Backup your device data regularly.
- Use a file manager with a trash/recycle bin.
- Don’t overfill storage with data.
- Enable lost device tracking.
- Avoid untrustworthy apps.
- Check app permissions.
- Only factory reset when essential.
- Encrypt device if possible.
- Remotely wipe lost devices when needed.
Careful data management and security will minimize potential data loss. But if disaster does strike, thankfully Android file recovery options do exist.
Conclusion
Recovering deleted files and data from Android phones and tablets is often possible if you act quickly and use reputable recovery software or services. Success rates drop steadily over time as deleted files get overwritten with new data. Advanced specialist techniques can sometimes recover older or reset Android data, but unfragmented recovery is unlikely. By understanding the various factors involved, you can choose realistic recovery options should you suffer the loss or mistaken deletion of important Android device files and data.