It can be frustrating when you accidentally delete important files from your Samsung tablet, only to realize later that you need them. Without a computer to connect to, recovering those files can be challenging.
There are a few different methods you can try to restore deleted files on a Samsung tablet without a computer. The key is acting quickly before the files are overwritten. The longer you wait, the lower your chance of successful file recovery.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the various options to recover deleted files from a Samsung tablet without a computer. Some methods rely on built-in Samsung apps and cloud storage, while others require third-party software. With multiple options, you should be able to find a technique that works to rescue your lost files.
Back Up Your Tablet
It is crucial to regularly back up important files and data stored on your Samsung tablet to prevent permanent data loss. One of the easiest ways to back up a Samsung tablet is by using the Smart Switch app (source).
Smart Switch allows you to back up your tablet’s data to an external SD card or USB drive. To use Smart Switch to back up your tablet:
- Connect your tablet to an SD card or USB drive.
- Open the Smart Switch app on your tablet.
- Tap “Back up” and select the files or data you want to back up.
- Tap “Back up” again and select the connected SD card or USB drive.
- Wait for the backup process to complete. This may take some time depending on the amount of data.
Regularly backing up your tablet to external storage with Smart Switch can save you from permanently losing valuable photos, documents, messages, and other data if anything happens to your device.
Check the Recycle Bin
When files are deleted on a Samsung tablet, they are first sent to the Recycle Bin before being permanently erased. The Recycle Bin acts like a temporary holding place for recently deleted items.
To access the Recycle Bin on your Samsung tablet, go to My Files and select the Recycle Bin icon at the top of the screen. You can also find it through Settings > Maintenance > Recycle Bin.
In the Recycle Bin, you’ll see all of your recently deleted files. Tap and hold on a file to bring up an options menu. From here, select “Restore” to move the file back to its original location.
Restoring a file from the Recycle Bin is a quick and easy way to recover deleted files on your Samsung tablet before they are permanently erased. Just remember that the Recycle Bin has limited storage space, so deleted items are only stored temporarily (Source).
Use a File Recovery App
One of the easiest ways to recover deleted files from your Samsung tablet without a computer is by using a file recovery app. Apps like DiskDigger can scan your tablet’s storage and restore deleted photos, videos, documents and more.
To use a file recovery app on your Samsung tablet:
- Go to the Play Store and search for a recovery app like DiskDigger. Make sure to choose one with good reviews.
- Download and install the recovery app.
- Open the app and grant it the required permissions.
- Select the storage location (internal storage or SD card) you want to scan.
- The app will scan the storage and show recovered files.
- Preview the files and select those you want to restore.
- Recover the files to your tablet’s storage or SD card.
The recovery app will do all the work without needing a computer. Just make sure to install the app soon after deletion for the best chance of recovering your files intact.
Try Samsung Cloud
If you had your files backed up to Samsung Cloud, you may be able to restore them from there. Samsung Cloud automatically backs up your photos, videos, contacts, calendar events and more. To restore your deleted files from Samsung Cloud:
1. Go to the Samsung Cloud website and log into your Samsung account that was synced to your tablet. You can access Samsung Cloud at https://www.samsungcloud.com
2. Once logged in, click on “Restore Data.” Here you can see your backed up contacts, calendar events, photos, etc. and choose to restore the files you need.
3. Select the specific files or folders you want to restore. Then click “Restore” to download the files to your computer.
4. Transfer the restored files back to your tablet via a USB connection or cloud storage service.
If you did not have backups enabled in Samsung Cloud, this method will unfortunately not work to recover deleted files. But checking Samsung Cloud is still worth trying in case some files were automatically backed up.
Use Android Device Manager
If you logged into your Google account on the Samsung tablet before deleting files, you may be able to use the Android Device Manager website to remotely locate the device and restore selected data (Source).
To use the Android Device Manager for file recovery:
- Go to android.com/find and sign in with your Google account.
- Select your Samsung tablet from the list of devices.
- Choose “Erase” and then “Selectively erase data.”
- Check the boxes next to “Pictures & videos” and other data types you want to restore.
- Click “Erase” and the selected files will be restored to your device.
This allows you to restore certain deleted files and data remotely, without needing physical access to the tablet. Keep in mind Android Device Manager only works if you had previously set up the tablet with your Google account.
Reset Your Tablet
A factory reset will wipe your tablet back to its original state, but could potentially recover deleted files that haven’t yet been overwritten (though note that this does not guarantee recovery). Before resetting, be sure to back up any important current files still on your device.
To perform a factory reset on a Samsung Galaxy tablet:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General Management.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Factory Data Reset. (source)
You will be prompted to confirm the reset. This will erase all data, settings, and installed apps on your device. Any files that existed originally on the tablet could potentially be recovered after the reset is complete.
Contact Samsung Support
In some cases, Samsung tech support may be able to help recover deleted files from your tablet. You can contact Samsung support online, by phone, or visit a Samsung service center for assistance.
One option is to ship your tablet to a Samsung repair facility. According to Samsung Data Recovery by the Experts, their technicians can perform data recovery on Samsung devices with up to a 96% success rate. However, shipping your device and having Samsung perform data recovery can be expensive and take 1-2 weeks to get your tablet back.
Before paying for Samsung data recovery services, you may want to explore free options first. But if those do not work and the deleted files are extremely important to you, then utilizing Samsung tech support and repair facilities could be your last resort for retrieving lost data.
Use a Data Recovery Service
As a last resort, you can turn to a professional data recovery service. Companies like Geek Squad and CBL Data Recovery specialize in recovering lost data using proprietary tools and techniques in a controlled lab environment.
The advantage of professional data recovery is the very high success rate. Specialized tools can retrieve data even from severely damaged devices. However, it is also by far the most expensive option. Costs typically start at $400-700 for a basic recovery, and can run over $1000 for complex jobs according to industry data.
The process involves sending your device away to the data recovery lab for days or weeks. This is because the recovery process is highly technical, and requires disassembling the device in a dust-free clean room. The recovered data is then returned on a new external storage device.
Prevent Future Data Loss
There are several steps you can take to help prevent losing your files and data again in the future. Some tips include:
Enable file vault encryption on your Samsung tablet to encrypt your files and require a password to access them. This way, even if your tablet is lost or stolen, your files will remain secure (1).
Turn on auto-save features in apps you use frequently like notes, documents, or photos. This will save versions of your files over time so you have backups (2).
Manage your files by organizing them into folders, deleting those you no longer need, and backing up important files regularly. Back up to cloud storage, an external hard drive, or your computer to have multiple copies in different locations (3).
Be careful about entering passwords and PINs – too many incorrect entries can permanently lock you out of your device. Write down your passwords securely or use a password manager instead of trying to memorize complex passcodes (3).
Overall, actively managing your files, using security features, and regularly backing up your tablet are the best ways to avoid losing important data in the future.
