If you accidentally deleted something important, here's how to recover it. Remember though that you need to act fast and do nothing to overwrite the lost data. Once you install something, send messages or take a picture, it could permanently delete those files for good.
Luckily, there are a slew of different tools available to recover lost data on Android. Whether it's a program for your PC and Mac, or apps that do everything right on your phone. Without further ado, below is everything you need to know about backing up deleted files, messages, photos and more.
Here we explain how to recover or delete lost data on Android
The way it works is simple. Anything we delete or uninstall on Android is only deleted from our view. It still stays on the device for a short while. However, once a user downloads an app, takes photos, or starts sending messages, it gets overwritten with new data. Losing him forever. This is why it is important to know this in advance.
Our first step is to do nothing, turn off Wi-Fi, and leave your Android phone or tablet alone. Then simply download one of the many programs that we will detail below. It will attempt to recover the files before it's too late. Alternatively, it's a good idea to already have apps like DiskDigger installed .
Besides, apps like dumpster are also very useful as they act as a recycle bin for Android. The only problem is that you need to have it installed before an accident happens. If you need to recover files and you're reading this guide, it's too late for Dumpster. If so, read on for our full recovery guide.
How to Recover Lost Data on Android
Users have several different options when it comes to recovering data or messages on Android. And even more so if you accidentally deleted some photos. Here we will detail two PC or Mac programs that we have used in the past, as well as applications that can recover data directly to your device. Let's start.
If you deleted a file, image or message on Android and need to recover it, try FonePaw . This Android data recovery tool is available for PC, Mac and there is even a version for iOS. According to them, their service can recover deleted and lost photos, videos, audio, WhatsApp messages and photos, text messages, contacts, call logs and documents. Even better, it works with internal storage and a microSD card. Basically covering all bases with an easy to use program.
As you can see above, FonePaw is extremely powerful and packed with options. Once you have it plugged in and your phone is visible, just select what needs to be recovered. Be it deleted messages, photos or others.
Select what you need to find, press next and grant it access to do its magic. It should be noted that most options require root access. Which is like jailbreaking for Android. Without root, you will probably only be able to recover photos and videos.
Now just have a little patience and let it scan, find and preview files available for recovery. Once done, view all files and restore anything you need. The recovered files will be saved on your computer. Now they can be transferred to your Android or saved safely to your desktop.
Recover files with DiskDigger
Some may need to recover lost or deleted files and do not have access to a computer. As a result, there are great apps on the Google Play Store that do just that. Many of them don't even require root access. Our favorite is DiskDiggerComment .
Whether you accidentally deleted a photo or video, or even reformatted an entire microSD card and deleted everything, it can save your life. As a reminder, if you have deleted something, do not install DiskDigger, as it may overwrite the files and erase them permanently. You must have it already installed. If you are already in a bind, try MobiKin Doctor detailed below.
DiskDigger is extremely easy to use. Just launch the app and let it complete its first initial scan. Users will be able to browse internal and external storage (SD card) for deleted photos and videos. You can recover one, or do it in batches if you accidentally deleted an entire file of photos. These can be retrieved directly from the device, saved to external storage, or even uploaded to the cloud so you'll never lose them again. We highly recommend it.
There is also a paid version with more features, which also has even more advanced restore features. However, this requires root access.
Recover Deleted Messages on Android
Next, let's talk about messages. Everything from text messages, WhatsApp, Facebook and more. Our go-to tool for saving text messages (even from WhatsApp) is MobiKin Doctor . It is available for PC or MAC, and has a free trial or a more powerful paid version.
After letting it search for files, the program will find anything that can be recovered. Users can preview all files, open them for viewing, and then instantly restore everything important.
Browse with the sidebar on the left for photos, videos, messages, call logs, and even documents or audio files. Once you've selected everything you need to restore, just tap the big button at the bottom right. All files will be recovered and transferred to your computer for safe keeping. He is extremely capable and can save you in a bind.
SMS backup and restore
Personally, I use an app for Android called SMS Backup and Restore . It has saved me time and time again and makes switching phones and transferring all conversations extremely easy. This program can backup or restore all messages. Including picture messages (MMS) and special characters like emojis.
You can save the messages to your device's local storage, SD card or even upload them to the cloud. SMS Backup & Restore supports Google Drive, Dropbox and more. My favorite feature though is scheduled automatic backups. I do a big backup when I switch phones, then I set automatic backups to run at midnight once a week.
This ensures that I always have every text message available if needed, and I save time by saving them a week at a time instead of all at once. We recommend backing up text messages to an SD card. Then just place it in your new phone, download SMS Backup and start a restore. It can take over an hour if you have a ton. I recently restored over 55,000 messages on my Galaxy S7 Edge. Try it today.
Other details
At the end of the day, it's always a good idea to be prepared. Whether it's backing up text messages or having something like Dumpster or DiskDigger pre-installed on your device already. Often owners delete a file and then try to download a recovery tool. Which overwrites deleted files on internal storage and deletes them forever.
That's why it's always a good idea to do nothing with your phone. Leave it alone and use one of the many restore tools detailed above as soon as possible. We also recommend Android users to try Dr Fone Android Data Recovery because it has some high reviews from users. Similarly, Google Photos saves every image to the cloud, and Samsung's Nougat update has a cloud backup option that automatically backs up important data weekly once you set it up.
There are countless tools and countermeasures available, just make sure to take advantage of them before an error occurs. If you have any other questions, leave us a comment below and good luck recovering lost data on Android.