Complete guide to recovering deleted videos on Android: step-by-step methods and solutions

Losing a video on your phone can be a daunting experience., especially if it's an important moment that you don't have saved anywhere else. Whether you deleted the file by mistake or it was lost due to a crash, there are Effective methods to try to recover deleted videos on Android, even in situations where no backup exists. Below you'll find a complete, practical, step-by-step guide to maximize your chances of recovery, integrating all possible options and scenarios.

Is there a recycle bin on Android?

Most Android smartphones include a recycle bin or “Recently Deleted” section for deleted images and videos. This means that when you delete media files, they're not usually deleted instantly, but are temporarily moved to this trash. They remain there for a limited time, usually between 15 and 60 days depending on the manufacturer and the app (Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Motorola, and many other brands customize the feature). The system will then permanently delete them to free up space.

To locate the Recycle Bin on Android, follow these steps:

Open the Gallery app of your mobile.
Look for the options menu (often indicated by three dots or horizontal lines).
Select the section of “Recently Deleted” or “Trash”.

From that location, you can easily restore deleted videos If the system-defined recovery period has not yet expired, simply select the videos and click "Restore."

Not all gallery apps or file explorers include this trash feature. If your phone doesn't offer it, it's a good idea to install an alternative app that adds it, such as Files by Google app or third-party solutions.

Recover videos using Google Photos and Google Drive

A large percentage of Android devices include as standard Google Photos as the default gallery and cloud backup system. This app offers its own trash, separate from the native gallery, where deleted files are stored for 30 days before being completely erased. Additionally, if you have the active synchronization, your videos are automatically uploaded to your Google account, increasing your chances of recovering those memories even if your device is lost or formatted.

Open Google Photos on your Android.
At the bottom, tap “Library” and then “Trash.”
Locate the deleted video, select it, and click “Restore.”

Remember that you only have 30 days from the moment of deletion to restore videos from this section.

If the videos are not found in Google Photos either, it is worth checking Google Drive If you use this app to make manual or automatic backups. If you had your video saved in Drive and deleted it, go to Drive's "Trash" (from the sidebar), select the file, and tap "Restore." The retention period in the trash is typically 30 days.

Advantages of Google Photos and Google Drive:

Access from any device with your Google account.
Fast recovery as long as the time limit has not passed.
You avoid losing videos even if your phone is damaged or reset.

Alternative trash options for WhatsApp, Telegram, and messaging apps

If the deleted video was sent to you via WhatsApp, Telegram or another platform, it is important to know that These apps don't always have a native trash can.For example, WhatsApp permanently deletes media files when you delete them, unless they're backed up (locally or in the cloud). Telegram does allow you to recover deleted files if they were stored in the cloud rather than in local storage.

In WhatsApp, you can restore videos restoring a previous backup. Please note that this means you will lose any messages and files received after that copy.
In Telegram, check the chat from your device or try searching for it in “Saved Messages,” as the app allows you to store files without a time limit.

If the video was lost from another app, check its settings or help; some camera- or editing-specific apps may have their own trash.

What happens when you delete a video on Android?

On Android, when you delete a file, the system marks the occupied space as free, but it doesn't delete the content immediately. Until that space is overwritten with new data, there is a high probability of recovery using specialized software. So, if you've accidentally deleted something important, avoid using your cell phone excessively so as not to overwrite lost content.

Remember that only data whose space has not yet been reused can be recovered. If you record new videos, save files, install applications, or update your system, you may reduce or eliminate the possibility of recovery.

Applications to recover deleted videos on Android

If your video does not appear in any trash or has a backup, there are data recovery apps Designed to scan internal storage and the SD card for deleted files. Their effectiveness depends on the time elapsed and the phone's activity after deletion.

video-recovery

video-recovery It's one of the most well-known and effective apps. It has algorithms capable of locating and restoring files in MP4, MOV, MPG, and other formats. Its operation is simple:

Install Video Recovery from Google Play.
Accept the requested permissions (required to access memory).
Choose recovery method number 1 to start the scan.
Recovered videos are stored in a special folder called ALL_RECOVERED_VIDEO.
On some devices, it also allows you to search the microSD card.

EaseUS MobiSaver

EaseUS MobiSaver goes one step further and allows you to recover not only videos, but also photos, contacts, messages and call logs. It offers compatibility with both internal memory and SD cards, and even supports the recovery of permanently deleted files (with a higher success rate the less time has passed).

Download and open the app from Google Play.
Grant the required permissions.
Select the “Photo and Video” option to focus your search.
Review the list of recoverable files, select the ones you want, and click Restore.

EaseUS also has a desktop version for computer, especially useful when you have a rooted phone or need to perform an advanced recovery.

All Recovery – Recover Photos and Videos

All Recovery stands out for its simple interface in Spanish and the ability to recover different types of files from internal memory and microSD:

Install it from Google Play, choose the language and grant permissions.
Select the “Video Recovery” option.
Wait for the app to scan your entire storage and review the results.
You can mark multiple videos at once to recover them in batches.

Dr.Fone Data Recovery

Dr.fone It's a data recovery app with versions for Android and PC. It stands out for its ability to thoroughly analyze internal memory and microSD cards, increasing recovery rates, and offering advanced options such as preview before restoring and specific file selection.

Install the app on your phone or, for a deep recovery, run the PC/Mac version.
Connect the phone with the authorized USB cable.
Follow the wizard to enable USB debugging, if required.
Start the scan and review the detected files.
Choose the videos you want to recover and save them to your computer or mobile device.

Important Note: Some advanced video recovery features may require the device to be rooted, especially to access deeper parts of the storage.

Recovering permanently deleted videos: limitations and possibilities

It is essential to be clear that Recover a deleted video from the trash after the available time has passed It's much more difficult. However, if the file is still technically in memory (hasn't been overwritten), older apps and programs can find it. To increase the chances of success:

Stop using your cell phone immediately as soon as you notice the accidental deletion.
Don't install new apps, record videos, or download files.
Use the recovery application as soon as possible, prioritizing PC solutions if possible.

Some apps allow filter by file type, size, date, etc., helping to locate videos more easily even if there are many deleted files.

Backups: the best prevention

A fundamental practice to avoid scares and loss of information is activate automatic backups. So, if you suffer accidental deletion or a crash, you can always restore your lost video.

Use Google Photos for automatic backups

Google Photos allows set up automatic backup of photos and videos from the settings menu itself. Simply activate the feature to create a cloud copy of all your media files, accessible from any device with your Google account.

Using Google Drive and other clouds

You can take advantage Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and other cloud storage apps to manually save videos or enable automatic folder syncing. Additionally, some manufacturers include their own backup system (Samsung Cloud, Mi Cloud, etc.); check if your phone offers one.

Recycle Bin Apps for Android

Although Android does not have a general native recycle bin, apps like dumpster They function as an additional trash can. Everything you delete from your phone goes to Dumpster first, where you can restore files before they're actually deleted from your device.

Install Dumpster and configure it to automatically store deleted images, videos, documents, etc.
Easily recover from the app itself if you delete something by mistake.

Advanced PC Recovery: When All Else Fails

If the basic methods didn't work and the video is no longer in any trash or copy, professional PC recovery tools They can thoroughly scan the device to track down deleted files.

Recovery with Dr.Fone, Recoverit, Tenorshare and similar

These specialized apps work by connecting your phone to your computer via USB. The basic steps are typically:

Download and open the software on your PC/Mac.
Connect your Android device with a USB cable and enable “USB Debugging.”
Select the option to recover videos or media files.
Start a deep scan of your phone and its microSD card.
Review the results: You can preview the recovered videos and select the ones you want to restore.
Save the recovered videos to your PC and then transfer them back to your phone.

Key tips when using advanced software:

Some programs require the phone to be rooted to fully access the memory.
The speed and success of recovery will depend on the time elapsed and subsequent use of the device.
Avoid using obscure "miracle" recovery software: prioritize recognized brands and always download from the official website.

Recover videos from SD cards and external memory

When videos were recorded on an SD card instead of the phone's internal memory, the chances of recovery are increased. You can:

Insert the card into a card reader on your computer and use programs like Recuva, Recoverit, EaseUS Data Recovery or DiskDigger.
Select the SD card drive, scan it, and restore the detected videos.

This method is less intrusive because does not involve manipulating the phone's internal memory and doesn't require root. Remember not to write any new files to the card until you attempt recovery.

What to do if you recover a low-quality or corrupted video?

Sometimes, recovered videos may appear blurry, pixelated, or have reduced resolution. This happens when the information hasn't been fully restored. To improve quality:

Use tools like AnyEnhancer, which uses artificial intelligence to restore sharpness, color and even convert old videos to high definition (2K, 4K).
Some recovery programs (e.g. Tenorshare UltData) include automatic resolution enhancement option.
Consider running your video through editors that can help correct brightness, contrast, or restore damaged frames.

What to do immediately after accidentally deleting a video?

The actions you take after deleting a video make a difference. To maximize your chances of success:

Stop any other action on the mobile: Do not burn, install, or download anything that might overwrite memory.
Temporarily turn off Wi-Fi/data if you have cloud syncs that can update and overwrite deleted files.
If you're unsuccessful with recovery apps, connect your phone to your computer as soon as possible and run a scan from there.

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FAQs about recovering deleted videos on Android

Can I recover videos deleted months or years ago? Only if the storage where the file was located hasn't been overwritten since then. The more recent the deletion, the more likely.
Does it work the same on all makes and models? Although the general principles are the same, the presence and location of the bin may vary depending on the manufacturer's customization.
Is it safe to use recovery apps? As long as they come from reputable developers and only grant essential permissions, avoid apps that request unnecessary access or are not listed on Google Play.
Is recovery free? Many apps and programs offer basic features for free and more advanced features for a fee. Ask if you need professional file recovery.

Making sure you have backups, checking your trash first, and acting quickly is key to recovering your deleted videos on Android. With the apps and solutions we've presented, you can tackle everything from simple to complex cases. Prevention, through automatic or manual backup settings in the cloud or external storage, is the best way to deal with unforeseen future events, ensuring your memories are always protected and available when you need them most.

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