Having photos deleted from your Android device can be frustrating, especially if they are irreplaceable memories. Fortunately, there are several ways to try recovering deleted photos without rooting your Android device.
Can I recover deleted photos without rooting my Android?
Yes, it is possible to recover deleted photos from your Android device without rooting. There are a few different methods you can try:
- Use a data recovery app
- Retrieve photos from your cloud backup
- Recover photos from your phone’s internal storage
These options do not require you to root your Android device. Rooting refers to gaining admin access to the operating system, which most users do not need to do for basic photo recovery.
How do data recovery apps work to restore photos?
Data recovery apps are designed to scan your phone’s storage and find deleted photos that have not yet been overwritten. They take advantage of the fact that just because you delete a file, it hasn’t necessarily been completely erased.
When you delete a file on your Android phone, it may be marked as freed space, but parts of the file are still present on your storage. Data recovery apps look for these traces to restore your photos.
Some popular Android data recovery apps include:
- DiskDigger
- EaseUS MobiSaver
- Remo Recover
Many of these apps offer free trial versions so you can see if your files can be recovered before purchasing the full version.
Tips for using data recovery apps
- Don’t save new data to your device, as it could overwrite deleted files
- Allow the app to thoroughly scan your phone’s storage
- You may need to try a few different apps for best results
Can I get photos back from a cloud backup?
If your Android photos were being backed up to the cloud, you may be able to restore them even after deletion. Google Photos, Dropbox, iCloud and other services can all store your memories safely online.
To restore from a backup, simply log into the corresponding cloud service from your phone and check if the deleted photos are still available in your account. With services like Google Photos, deleted files are kept for up to 60 days in the trash before being permanently removed.
Benefits of cloud backup
- Access photos from any internet-connected device
- Keeps your memories safe from phone issues
- Often provides free storage space
The key is making sure backup is enabled so your photos are continuously synced to the cloud. Check your app settings periodically to confirm it’s still on.
Is it possible to recover photos from internal storage?
On some Android devices it may be possible to restore recently deleted photos from internal phone storage without additional software:
- Open the Gallery app
- Tap on the 3 lines menu icon in the top left
- Select “Trash”
- Locate your photos in the trash folder
- Tap to restore photos back to the Gallery
However, this method relies on the phone’s internal trash holding on to the files. The trash may be cleared after some time, resulting in permanent deletion. Using data recovery software is a more reliable way to get photos back.
What are the best data recovery apps for Android?
Here are some of the top-rated recovery apps to restore deleted photos on Android:
DiskDigger
- Free basic photo recovery features
- Recovers a wide range of file types
- Easy to use with step-by-step recovery
- Scan results show recoverable photos
- Paid upgrade for full features
EaseUS MobiSaver
- Free version recovers limited photos
- Sorts photos based on file types
- Recovers photos from internal storage and SD card
- Filters scan by date modified
- Paid version with unlimited use
Remo Recover
- Free trial recovers up to 30 photos
- Advanced deep scanning features
- Recovers photos and other media files
- Preview function to check files
- Paid license for full recovery
How can I avoid needing to recover deleted photos?
Following best practices can help ensure you don’t end up needing photo recovery in the first place:
- Set up automatic cloud backup – Apps like Google Photos will continuously sync your memories online.
- Enable storage encryption – Encrypt your phone’s internal storage for added security if the device is lost or stolen.
- Use secure delete apps – To thoroughly wipe sensitive photos, use apps like Secure Delete instead of just deleting.
- Copy photos to your computer – Back up your favorite shots to your laptop or desktop computer periodically.
What are the risks of rooting an Android phone?
Rooting gives you administrator-level control over your Android operating system. This allows deeper customization, but also carries some downsides:
- Can void your device’s warranty since it tampers with the OS
- Risk accidentally altering critical system files
- Potential security vulnerabilities if old firmware remains
- May need to manually check and update security patches
- Rooting is irreversible except by resetting to factory settings
Additionally, rooting alone does not give you full access to recover deleted photos from anywhere on the phone. Special data recovery tools are still required.
For most users, rooting is not necessary, and restoring recently deleted photos can be accomplished using free recovery apps without tampering with your operating system.
Can I recover photos without root on Android 11 or higher?
Yes, the release of Android 11 and higher versions has not blocked the ability to recover deleted photos without root access. The same data recovery apps and techniques still work.
Some key points on Android 11 recovery:
- Storage permissions allow access to deleted files
- Data recovery apps only need basic storage permission
- Trash bin recovery still possible in some cases
- Cloud backup restoration is still an option
As long as you avoid saving new data that could overwrite the deleted photos, recovery is still achievable even on the latest Android versions.
What kind of photos can be recovered?
Most standard image and photo files can be recovered from Android devices, including:
- JPG
- PNG
- GIF
- BMP
- WEBP
RAW camera image formats, like DNG files, may also be recoverable in some cases. Video files are generally harder to restore once deleted.
The recoverability of a photo depends on:
- When it was deleted
- What new data has overwritten it
- Which storage media it was located on
Recently deleted photos have a higher chance of recovery. The storage device also matters, as internal storage tends to overwrite data quicker than external SD cards.
Can I recover permanently deleted photos?
If a photo was deleted long ago and you’ve added a significant amount of new data to your phone since then, it likely cannot be recovered.
Permanently deleted photos generally cannot be restored because:
- Too much time has passed
- Overwriting has occurred
- The storage space has been reused
For the best chance of recovering permanently deleted files, stop adding new data to your phone immediately and use recovery software to scan for residual traces of the photos.
Conclusion
It is possible to restore deleted photos on Android without root access using data recovery apps, cloud backups, and internal phone storage. Avoid saving new files and overwrite the deleted data. Recovery success depends on the phone model, Android version, time since deletion, and what new data has been added. With the right tools and technique, you have a good chance of getting back lost photos, even on the latest Android versions.