How to restore data on an Android device

Updated: March 20, 2023
6 min read
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How to restore data on an Android device
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by Bridget Stivenson
Tech Expert & Writer
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How to restore data from internal memory

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In fact, when data such as photos, documents, videos, and other files are deleted, they are not permanently erased. Only the information about their location on the system disappears. The files themselves remain in place until new information is written over them. This fact allows you to recover even those data that were seemingly irretrievably erased.

To restore them, you will need one of the following apps. They work best if your phone has root access set up. It allows you to read data from locked system memory partitions. But on non-rooted devices, it's usually possible to find recoverable files, too.

DiskDigger

This application allows you to search for and restore photos, videos, images, as well as music, audio recordings, and other data. However, you will have to pay a fee for the program's advanced features.

Download and install DiskDigger, click the "Start a simple image search" button. Then restore the found files to the phone memory or, better yet, somewhere in the cloud.

EaseUS MobiSaver

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A somewhat more advanced application from the notorious EaseUS company, which develops similar software for desktops as well.

After installing EaseUS MobiSaver, you need to choose what you want to return - photos and videos, SMS, contacts, call log, data from SD card, or WhatsApp correspondence. However, some of the functions here are designed only for devices with root access.

An application for recovering deleted photos and videos. In addition, it supports the recovery of WhatsApp messages and audio recordings. The only problem: the application asks for money for the ability to save found files. It is worth using it if other programs from this selection failed.

Dumpster

This tool can work in trial mode for one week, then you have to pay a subscription. The program is capable of recovering photos, audio recordings, and videos.

Undeleter works effectively with root access. Without root access, the program is not able to find as many deleted files. Nevertheless, this application is also worth trying.

How to restore data on an SD card

If what you need to recover was not stored in the smartphone memory, but on an external SD card, the chances of successfully recovering the lost data increase significantly. You can connect the card directly to your computer and recreate the information with one of the special programs for reading erased files. Such solutions include Recuva, Disk Drill, R. Saver.

They restore deleted data if nothing new has been written over it. You can find more such applications in our selection. For example, we'll look at how the free program Recuva works:

  1. Remove the SD card from your smartphone and connect it to your computer with an adapter or card reader.
  2. Then install and run Recuva.
  3. Click Next and choose which type of data you want to recreate. Or leave All Files. Then click Next again.
  4. Specify your memory card under In a specific location, otherwise the application will search for deleted files everywhere. Click Next again.
  5. Check the Enable Deep Scan checkbox for more efficient scanning and click Start.
  6. When the process finishes, select the files you want, click Recover, and specify where to save them.

The main thing is not to write anything to the SD card before scanning to make sure everything goes smoothly. Keep in mind that even the most advanced of specialized programs cannot always recover erased data. So get in the habit of making backups using cloud storage, so that you don't have to search for lost files later.

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Comments

5 comments
Tyler Miller
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If you're looking to restore data on your Android device, this article is a helpful resource +++
Kevin Brown
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Thanks for taking the time to create this guide, it's much appreciated.
Melissa Martinez
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I love this guide 🤗
EmilyOne
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Thank you for creating this article, it saved my phone!
Rachel Jones
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Thank you for sharing your knowledge on restoring data.

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