File recovery on Android refers to retrieving files that have been accidentally or intentionally deleted from your device. There are several reasons why Android users may need to recover deleted files:
According to Ian Anspaugh of Medium, a significant percentage of Android users have accidentally deleted files at some point. This could happen by accidentally tapping the delete button or emptying the recycle bin. Critical files like photos, documents, or other data can be lost this way.
In a Android Central forum discussion, users note that factory resetting your device or deleting a user profile also results in permanent data loss. Users may want to recover these files after the fact.
As Norton notes, most people don’t realize that deleted files are not actually completely gone from a device. While recovery becomes harder over time, there is often still a way to retrieve accidentally deleted files with the right tools and techniques.
Being able to recover lost files provides peace of mind to Android users and allows them to rescue important data even after accidentally deleting it.
Reasons for Accidental Deletion
There are several common reasons files may get accidentally deleted from Android devices. Clearing the cache is one frequent cause of deletion. Android devices build up temporary internet files and app data that can be cleared to free up storage space. However, users may accidentally delete important files stored in the cache if they are not careful (Top 5 Causes of Accidental Data Deletion).
Factory resets are another major culprit behind accidental deletion. Resetting an Android to factory settings erases all user data, which can result in important files being wiped if they were not properly backed up. Users may factory reset to troubleshoot device issues, clear a phone before selling it, or simply start fresh on a new device. But without the proper precautions, factory resets can delete personal files forever (Common Causes of File Deletion and How to Prevent Data Loss).
Uninstalling apps can also lead to deletion of associated user files and data. For example, removing a messaging app may erase conversations and contacts stored locally on the device. Photos, videos and other media tied to the app could disappear as well. Accidentally deleting the wrong app can cause inadvertent data loss (Top 5 Causes of Android Data Loss – Prevent and Recover).
Understanding Android File Systems
Android organizes files into a Linux-based file system consisting of separate partitions for data, application files, and internal system files. The main storage locations include:
- Internal storage – Stores app data, user settings, downloaded files, etc. This is sometimes limited on lower cost devices.
- External SD card (optional) – Provides additional storage capacity for media, documents, etc. Uses FAT32 or exFAT filesystem.
- System – Stores Android OS and preinstalled app files. Inaccessible to users.
When an SD card is inserted into an Android device, it is mounted and integrated into the filesystem so apps can access files stored on it. However, the way Android treats external storage can make it confusing for users to navigate files. For example, the paths may look unusual compared to a typical Windows or Mac computer.
Additionally, when files are deleted on an Android device they are immediately removed from the filesystem index. The space is marked as available even though the actual file contents still physically exist until being overwritten by new data. This makes data recovery possible with the right tools.
Understanding how Android handles file storage is important context when attempting to recover deleted files from an Android device. The specifics of the filesystem and partition layout determine what recovery options are available.
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When Files Can and Can’t Be Recovered
Whether deleted files can be retrieved depends on where they were stored and how the deletion was performed. Here are some common scenarios:
Files deleted from internal device storage or SD cards can often be recovered as long as the space they occupied hasn’t been overwritten by new data. This is because Android simply marks the space as available rather than erasing it when you delete a file (https://forums.androidcentral.com/threads/guide-recovering-deleted-files.500142/).
However, if the space is reused for new files, the original data can become irrecoverable. Performing a factory reset or reformatting a storage drive also makes recovery impossible in most cases.
Files stored in cloud accounts like Google Drive or Dropbox can usually be restored from online backups even after deletion. But there is also a limited window before cloud backups are deleted or overwritten (https://www.quora.com/I-deleted-some-files-on-my-Android-device-and-I-cant-recover-them-yet-a-third-party-file-app-can-If-this-is-the-case-why-and-where-are-my-personally-deleted-private-files-being-stored-without-my-permission).
For files stored directly on external SD cards, recovery is often possible unless the card was reformatted. But for internal device storage, more advanced techniques are required.
In summary, quick action is important to recover deleted files before new data overwrites them. But with the right tools and techniques, deleted files can often be retrieved.
Retrieving Files from Local Storage
If files were deleted from the internal storage or SD card on your Android device, you may be able to recover them using data recovery software or apps designed for this purpose. There are a few key things to know about recovering deleted files from local Android storage:
For the internal storage, Android uses a Linux-based file system that doesn’t fully delete files right away. When you delete a file, it just marks the space as available to be overwritten. As long as that space hasn’t been reused, data recovery tools can scan the raw storage and rebuild the file structure to restore deleted files. However, the longer you wait, the higher the chance of permanent data loss.
Recovering deleted files from an SD card has better chances, as long as you safely remove the card right after deletion. SD cards use the FAT32 file system which keeps the directory structure intact until the space is overwritten by new data. Again, immediate action gives the best shot at full recovery.
There are many free apps like Dr.Fone, DiskDigger, and DigDeep that can scan both internal storage and external SD cards to find recoverable files. For greatest success, install and run them immediately after deletion and before overwriting data.
However, these apps may not find or recover everything, so also try to restore from any available backups. With prompt action, you stand a good chance of retrieving deleted files from local Android storage sources.
Using Data Backup Tools
Android devices have built-in options to back up data to the cloud, with Google Drive being a convenient choice. When enabled in your Google account settings, Android can automatically back up app data, WiFi passwords, call history, contacts, calendar events, and more to Google Drive periodically [1]. This allows you to restore that data if you get a new device or need to reset your current one.
To enable backup on Android:
- Open Settings and go to System > Backup.
- Turn on “Back up to Google Drive” and select what types of data to back up.
- You can also schedule regular backups under “Backup Settings.”
With Google Drive backup enabled, your data is safely stored in the cloud automatically. If you need to restore, simply log into your Google account on the new device and restore during setup. This makes it easy to transfer your apps, settings, and files between Android devices.
Using File Recovery Apps
There are several free file recovery apps available that can help recover deleted files on Android devices.
Some top options include:
DiskDigger – This app allows you to dig deep into your device’s memory to find lost or deleted files such as photos, videos, music, documents, and more. It has a free and paid version. The free version lets you preview found files, while the paid version allows full recovery. More details can be found at https://diskdigger.org/.
Dumpster – This is a free undelete app tailored for Android. It can recover photos, videos, and other files that may have been deleted from your phone. Dumpster operates by keeping a temporary backup of your deleted files for easy undelete later. Learn more at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.baloota.dumpster.
Recuva – Developed by Piriform, Recuva is a widely used recovery tool available for both PCs and Android devices. The Android version allows you to restore accidentally deleted files for free. More details at https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva/how-to-use-recuva.
The key when using these apps is to run them soon after deletion, before the data is overwritten. Also be sure to only save the recovered files to a different location than the original folder.
Recovering From The Cloud
If you had backups enabled, you may be able to restore deleted files from the cloud. Google Drive for Android automatically saves file versions and deleted files for up to 30 days in the trash bin. To restore a deleted file:
1. Open the Google Drive app and tap the menu icon in the top left corner.
2. Select Trash from the menu.
3. Find the file you want to restore and tap the restore icon next to it. (1)
This will restore the most recently trashed version of the file back to your Drive. Keep in mind that any changes made between the last auto-save and when you deleted the file will be lost.
If it has been over 30 days since the file was deleted, it is likely no longer recoverable from the cloud. However, you can try contacting Google Drive support to see if they can recover it from their server backups. Just be aware this is not guaranteed to work. (2)
Preventing File Loss
The best way to avoid needing to recover deleted files is to take steps to prevent accidental deletion in the first place. Here are some tips:
Be careful when deleting files and use the trash function if available. Many Android devices have recycle bins or trash folders that can help recover recently deleted files. Mistaken deletions can often be fixed by going to the trash folder.
Back up important data regularly. Use cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox to automatically sync files, or do manual backups to a computer. Having a recent backup makes recovery easier.
Use file lock apps that prevent deletion. Apps like Folder Lock allow locking down specific files and folders, requiring authentication to delete. This can safeguard sensitive or important data.
Enable file versioning in Google Drive. If a synced file gets deleted or changed in Drive, previous versions can often be restored from the cloud.
Turn off auto-delete features like Smart Storage if you prefer manual control. Some phones will automatically delete unused apps or old photos, which can lead to unintended data loss.
Use adoptable storage with caution. Adoptable SD cards become encrypted and tied to the device. If the phone is damaged, adopted card data may not be recoverable.
Avoid unsupported modifications. Rooting or other system-level changes can sometimes make file recovery impossible if something goes wrong.
Overall, being vigilant about your data and doing regular backups are the best ways to avoid needing advanced recovery methods after deletion. But accidents still happen, so this guide can help if you do end up needing to retrieve lost files.
Conclusion
Accidentally deleting files on your Android device can be frustrating, but thankfully there are several methods you can try to recover your lost data. The most important things are to act quickly, stop writing new data to your device’s storage, and use reputable apps and tools. To recap, you can try retrieving files from local storage, using backup tools, file recovery apps, or the cloud. The best solution depends on your specific circumstances.
To prevent file loss in the future, be cautious when deleting files, back up your device regularly, store files in the cloud, and consider using a file recovery app preemptively. With the right preparation and methods, you can often recover deleted files on Android successfully. The key is being proactive about protection and recovery. Hopefully this guide provided some helpful solutions to restore your lost files through free methods.
