Losing important data from your Android phone can be frustrating and upsetting. Whether it was accidentally deleted or you performed a factory reset, there are several methods you can try to recover your lost photos, messages, contacts, and other irreplaceable information.
Can I recover deleted data from Android phone?
Yes, it is often possible to recover deleted files from an Android phone. When you delete data on an Android device, it is not immediately erased from the phone’s internal storage. Instead, it is simply marked as deleted and the space it occupied becomes available to be overwritten by new data.
As long as the deleted data has not been overwritten, data recovery software can scan the phone’s storage and restore the deleted files. However, the chances of successful data recovery diminish over time as more new data occupies the space where deleted files previously existed.
How does data recovery software work?
Data recovery programs are designed to thoroughly scan a phone’s internal memory and external SD card for remnants of deleted data. They utilize advanced file carving and pattern matching techniques to identify the signatures of different file types such as photos, messages, contacts, videos and documents – even if the original filename is gone.
The data recovery software then reconstructs the deleted files and copies them to a safe location such as your computer hard drive or external storage device. From there, you can browse through the recovered data and restore the files you need.
What are the best Android data recovery software?
Some of the top-rated Android data recovery software include:
- Dr.Fone – Android Data Recovery – Recovers a wide range of lost data types. Easy to use with both Windows and Mac versions.
- EaseUS MobiSaver – Features advanced scanning and restores app data in addition to common file types.
- Wondershare Recoverit – Offers deep scanning and preview of recoverable data. Supports 5000+ Android device models.
- DiskDigger – Free basic data recovery features. The paid Pro version enables photo, video, document recovery.
- iMyFone D-Back – User-friendly interface. Recovers up to 35+ types of lost Android data.
Which data types can be recovered?
Android data recovery software is typically capable of recovering many different types of files, including:
- Contacts – Names, phone numbers, email addresses, etc.
- Text messages – SMS, MMS, BBM chats and text conversations.
- Call logs – Date/time stamps, phone numbers, call durations.
- Photos – Camera photos, screenshots, image files, etc.
- Videos – Recorded videos, downloaded video clips.
- Audio – Voice recordings, music files, WhatsApp audio.
- Documents – Word docs, PDFs, spreadsheets and other documents.
- App data – Game progress, notes, settings and other app data files.
- Calendars – Meeting notes, reminders, schedules.
The specific data types supported may vary across different software programs. But most tools are designed to recover all major data types from Android devices.
Factors affecting chances of successful recovery
While data recovery from Android phones is often possible, success is not guaranteed. The likelihood of getting back lost or deleted files depends on several factors:
- How soon you run data recovery after deletion – The less time that’s passed, the better.
- Whether the phone has been used heavily since deletion – Less usage gives higher recovery odds.
- Android version and model – Newer versions have better file system protections.
- Cause of data loss – Factory resets delete more data than accidental deletes.
- Quality of the recovery software used – Better tools deliver better results.
In general, recovering recently deleted files from a lightly used Android device using a top quality recovery program provides the greatest chances of getting back a significant portion of lost data.
Tips to increase chances of successful Android data recovery
Here are some tips to help improve your chances of successfully recovering lost files from an Android phone:
- Avoid using the phone heavily after data loss, as this can overwrite deleted data.
- Do not attempt to root the device, as this can cause further data loss.
- Download a reputable recovery app from a trusted source.
- Install the recovery app on another device – not the Android phone itself.
- Connect Android phone to computer and create a backup image file for recovery.
- Scan storage locations thoroughly – internal memory and external SD card.
- Check both the ‘Deleted files’ and ‘Existing files’ sections in the recovery app.
Can factory reset data be recovered?
It is possible in some cases to recover data after a factory reset, but the success rate is lower compared to undeleting recently deleted files. This is because a factory reset erases the entire phone storage and reformats it rather than simply removing visible files.
However, as long as the physical storage cells have not been overwritten, forensic data recovery techniques can reconstruct factory reset data. Optimal recovery requires creating a complete image of the phone’s storage immediately after the reset before new data occupies the space.
Will rooting help data recovery?
Contrary to some beliefs, rooting the Android device is not necessary for data recovery and is not recommended. In fact, rooting may jeopardize the chances of successful data recovery in several ways:
- The process of rooting may overwrite deleted data sections.
- Rooted devices allow apps to access all regions of storage.
- Some data recovery apps don’t support rooted devices.
For best results, it’s advisable to use a non-root data recovery method and avoid altering the phone’s firmware.
Is deleted data recoverable from SD card?
Yes, data recovery tools are often capable of restoring deleted files from an Android phone’s SD card in addition to the internal storage. The same general principles apply – stop using the SD card immediately after data loss to prevent overwritten, use data recovery software as soon as possible, and avoid reformatting the card before recovery.
Can I recover data without Android phone?
To achieve the highest recovery success rate, most data recovery software needs to interact with the Android device directly via USB connection. However, some tools like EaseUS MobiSaver offer an Android data recovery APK that can be installed on the phone itself to recover data without a USB connection.
This may be helpful if the phone screen/USB port is damaged. But installing software on the device can result in more deleted data being overwritten, reducing recovery success.
Is phone data recoverable after screen replacement?
Replacing a cracked or damaged Android phone screen should not cause further data loss or affect recoverability, provided proper precautions are taken. Before the repair, be sure to:
- Back up data if possible
- Switch off the phone
- Avoid any factory reset
As long as the original phone storage is untouched during the repair, data recovery should still be possible after screen replacement if needed.
Can I recover data after factory reset without computer?
It is very difficult to recover factory reset data without a computer. Most Android data recovery apps require a PC/Mac to scan the phone’s storage and extract recoverable data files.
However, there a few apps like FonePaw Android Data Recovery that offer limited data recovery capabilities directly on the phone itself after a factory reset. But functionality is restricted compared to computer-based scanning, so a PC is recommended for best results.
How can I recover data from Android with broken screen?
If the Android phone has a cracked or broken screen but is still powered on and functioning, you can still recover data by:
- Enabling USB debugging in Developer options.
- Connecting phone to computer via USB cable.
- Using Android data recovery software to scan phone and extract data.
If the phone cannot power on at all, you can use a specialist data recovery service to access the storage chips directly and copy data via specialized tools.
Can lost data be recovered from stolen Android phone?
Recovering lost data from a stolen Android device is very challenging because you no longer have physical access to the phone. However, there some potential options depending on your situation:
- If you recently backed up data to the cloud, you may be able to restore some data from there.
- If you have remote tracking/wiping apps installed, you may be able to locate or remotely wipe the device.
- Report the stolen phone to your carrier – they may be able to block or track the IMEI number.
- File a police report, who can request location records from the carrier via subpoena.
But without physical access to the device, successfully recovering lost data from a stolen Android phone is very unlikely through regular means.
Can I recover permanently deleted data from Android?
Many Android data recovery apps claim to recover ‘permanently deleted’ files. However, technically there is no way to permanently delete data that completely prevents recovery.
When you permanently erase files on Android, such as from the ‘Recyle Bin’, the data is simply marked to be fully overwritten by new data. Until it gets overwritten, it can still be recovered using data recovery tools. However, the chances of successful recovery decreases over time as deleted data gets overwritten.
Conclusion
While recovering lost or deleted data from Android phones is not always guaranteed, it is often possible with the right software tools and techniques. Key factors that improve success include acting quickly after data loss, avoiding phone usage and resets, using a reputable recovery app, and scanning all storage locations thoroughly.
With some effort and luck, you stand a good chance of getting back your lost contacts, photos, messages, documents and other irreplaceable Android data.
