Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to recover deleted files and data from the trash or recycle bin on Samsung phones. When you delete files on a Samsung phone, they are not immediately erased from the device storage. Instead, they are moved to a trash or recycle bin where they can remain for a period of time before being permanently deleted. As long as the files are still in the trash, it is often possible to restore them.
Recovering Deleted Files from Trash on Samsung Phones
Here are some tips on how to recover deleted files from the trash or recycle bin on Samsung devices:
Check the Phone’s Trash Folder
When you delete files like photos, videos, documents, or other data on a Samsung phone, they are first moved to a Trash or Recycle Bin folder. To recover deleted files, your first step should be to check this folder. On some Samsung devices it’s called the Trash folder, on others it may be called Recycle Bin. Open it up and see if the files you want to recover are still there.
Use a File Recovery App
There are many free and paid apps available for Android that can scan your device’s storage and recover deleted files from the trash. Some popular options include DiskDigger, Dumpster, and EaseUS MobiSaver for Android. Run a scan with one of these apps and it will be able to retrieve deleted files that may no longer be visible in your phone’s trash folder.
Connect Phone to Computer
You can also try connecting your Samsung phone to a computer and using data recovery software on the computer to access the phone’s storage and restore deleted files from trash. Software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can recover data directly from the phone when it’s connected via USB.
Avoid Overwriting Data
When trying to recover deleted files from the trash, be careful not to save anything new to your device’s storage or take new photos/videos. This can overwrite the deleted data and make it unrecoverable. Avoid using the phone for anything other than trying to restore the deleted data.
How the Trash Folder Works on Samsung Phones
To understand how to recover deleted files from trash on a Samsung phone, it helps to know how the trash system works on these devices:
Files Are Marked as Deleted
When you delete a file on a Samsung phone, it isn’t immediately erased from the storage. Instead, the phone’s system marks the file as deleted and removes it from your regular storage. However, the actual file data remains in the storage until overwritten.
Files Move to the Trash Folder
Once deleted, files are moved to a special Trash or Recycle Bin folder on the phone’s storage. This keeps them isolated from your regular phone memory but still accessible in case you need to restore them.
Trash Has a Size Limit
The phone’s trash folder has a certain storage size limit. Once that limit is reached, the phone will start permanently deleting the oldest files when new items are added to trash.
Manual Deletion from Trash Possible
You can open the Trash folder and manually delete files permanently. This removes them from trash and frees up space.
Auto-Deletion after a Period of Time
By default, Samsung phones are set to automatically delete files from the trash permanently after 30 days. This can vary by device model. This removes the oldest trash items first when auto-deleting.
What Types of Files Can Be Recovered from Trash?
Many different types of deleted files can be retrieved from the trash on a Samsung phone, including:
Photos
Deleted photos that may no longer appear in your phone’s Gallery app can often be recovered from trash. As long as they haven’t been overwritten.
Videos
Deleted videos shot on your phone’s camera may still be salvageable from the trash folder. Video files can be quite large, so recovering them can free up significant storage space.
Documents
Word documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, text files and other documents that have been deleted from your Samsung phone’s internal storage or SD card can potentially be rescued from the trash.
Message Attachments
If you accidentally deleted a message attachment that you still need, you may be able to recover it by finding the file in the phone’s trash folder.
Audio Files
Music files, voice recordings, podcasts and other audio content deleted from phone storage have a chance of being restored through the trash recovery process.
App Data
Some trash recovery apps and software can retrieve app data that has been deleted from your phone when certain apps are uninstalled or data is cleared.
Where to Look to Recover Deleted Files
When trying to recover deleted files on a Samsung phone, there are a few key locations to focus your search:
Phone Internal Storage Trash
Start by checking the main Trash folder in your phone’s internal storage. On some Samsung devices this will be called “Recycle Bin”.
SD Card Trash
If you store data on an SD card inserted in your phone, also open the SD card’s Trash folder and look for deleted files.
Trash Folder in My Files App
Open the My Files app on your Samsung phone and see if there’s a Trash option inside. This provides easy access to deleted files.
External SD Card Reader
Use an SD card reader to connect your phone’s SD card to a computer. Then run data recovery software to scan the card for deleted files in its Trash folder.
Phone Recovery Software
When connected to a computer, specialized phone recovery programs can access all of your device’s storage, including the main deleted files trash folder.
How to Restore Deleted Files from Trash on Samsung
Follow these steps to restore deleted photos, documents, and other files from the trash or recycle bin on your Samsung Galaxy phone:
Step 1: Find the Trash Folder
Open the “My Files” app on your Samsung device and look for the Trash or Recycle Bin folder. It may be in the Internal Storage section or under Categories.
Step 2: Open the Trash Folder
Tap to open the Trash folder. This will display all recently deleted files that are still recoverable.
Step 3: Select the Files
Browse the contents of the Trash folder and tap to select the files you want to restore. You can select multiple files.
Step 4: Restore the Files
With your deleted files selected, tap the Restore button to move them back to their original location on your phone’s storage.
Step 5: Check Restored Files
Open your photo gallery, file manager and other apps to confirm the deleted files have been successfully restored from the trash.
Tricks for Recovering Deleted Files from Trash
Use these tips and tricks for the best chances of recovering deleted files from the trash on your Samsung phone:
Act Quickly
Restore deleted files as soon as possible from trash before they are permanently overwritten. Your chances are better the sooner you act.
Free Up Space
Offload other files from your phone to make space. The trash folder needs free space to hold deleted file data until restored.
Don’t Save New Files
Avoid taking new photos or downloading files until you’ve restored your deleted data. This can overwrite your deleted files.
Scan with Apps
Use data recovery apps that can scan and restore even deleted files not visible in your phone’s trash folder.
Connect to a Computer
Phone recovery software on a computer can access your device’s storage more comprehensively to rescue deleted files.
Risks of Data Loss from Trash Files
While the trash folder provides an opportunity to recover recently deleted files, there are some risks associated with relying on it:
Trash Has Size Limits
Phone trash folders have limited space. Once full, your device will permanently delete files automatically.
Manual Deletion Possible
You or other users may manually empty the trash, permanently erasing files inside it.
Auto-Deletion after Time Periods
Most Samsung phones automatically delete trash file data permanently after 30 days or other set time limits.
No Backup of Deleted Files
Phone trash folders provide easy access to deleted files but are not a backup solution. Permanently deleted files will be lost.
System Errors Could Cause Permanent Deletion
Glitches, crashes or interruptions when deleting files could result in permanent data loss rather than files going to trash.
Should You Rely on Your Phone’s Trash Folder?
The trash folder on Samsung phones is useful for quickly recovering recently deleted files. However, there are risks to relying solely on it for file recovery rather than having a proper backup solution in place.
Benefits of Phone Trash System
– Provides quick access to recently deleted files
– Easy to locate in phone’s file manager app
– Allows recovery without third-party software in many cases
– Buys you time before files are permanently deleted
Drawbacks of Phone Trash System
– Limited storage capacity means it can fill up fast
– Automatic and manual deletion empty trash permanently
– No backup of trash contents if phone is lost, damaged or wiped
– System issues may result in file not going to trash when deleted
Better to Use Trash as Temporary Buffer
Overall, it’s wise to view your Samsung phone’s trash folder as a temporary buffer zone rather than a reliable long-term backup. Retrieve deleted files quickly before they are permanently erased. Have backups as your main file recovery solution.
Conclusion
While Samsung’s trash folder provides a safety net for recently deleted files, it has size limits, time restrictions, and no backup capabilities. Quickly restoring needed files from the trash can save you from permanent data loss, but only if you act fast. Rely on regular backups rather than trash recovery for your main file protection. With Samsung’s trash recovery options combined with comprehensive backups, you can have a great system in place to recover lost or deleted data.