Smartphones have become true safes for our most important memories and data. However, the ease with which we can accidentally delete a photo, video, or file can cause real headaches. What options are there to recover deleted files on Android, especially if it's valuable information that you haven't previously backed up?
Fortunately, app manufacturers and developers have responded to this challenge with increasingly effective tools. Today, there are specific solutions that allow you to recover everything from simple images to personal documents and videos, even if you thought they were lost forever.
The Importance of Backup: Your Best Defense
Before we delve into recovery tools and methods, it is essential to understand the role of cloud backupsServices like Google Photos, Dropbox, OneDrive, or the manufacturers' own services can automatically save a copy of your photos and videos. If you have this feature enabled, all your media, including videos received via WhatsApp or screenshots, is generally safe.
Why is this vital? Simply because if you accidentally delete any photo or video, the first thing you should do is check if a copy exists on these services. Google Photos, for example, keeps deleted items in the trash for 30 days, allowing you to recover them without resorting to third-party software. So, if you haven't already, always enable the automatic backup feature.
What to do when backup fails: Is it possible to recover deleted files on Android?
Despite the benefits of the cloud, recently deleted photos or files aren't always backed up, or perhaps your backup service was disabled. Does this mean all is lost? Not necessarily. There are solutions both from your computer and directly on Android.
Recuva: The classic PC game, but does it exist for Android?
Recuva It is one of the best known and most effective programs for recovery of deleted files on Windows computers. Its effectiveness lies in its ease of use and the depth of its scan, allowing it to recover photos, videos, documents, and many other formats, even from formatted or damaged microSD cards. You can check other methods to recover deleted SMS.
But here comes the important nuance: Recuva does not have an Android version.It's a tool exclusively for PCs and, to a lesser extent, for Macs through other similar apps. With Recuva, you can connect your Android device's microSD card to your computer, scan it, and recover accidentally deleted files. But if you're looking for an app that works directly on your Android phone, you'll need to look for a dedicated alternative.
DiskDigger: The best alternative to recover deleted files on Android
When dealing with recover files directly from Android, DiskDigger Recuva has established itself as the most robust and versatile option available on Google Play. It's an app designed specifically for recovering images and, in its paid version, a wide variety of file formats. It captures the essence of what Recuva offers on PC but adapts to the limitations and capabilities of Android devices. Learn how to recover deleted photos on Android in a few steps..
What stands out about DiskDigger is its operating method: it offers two scanning modes, "Basic" and "Full." The former is available for all mobile devices, while the latter requires root and allows for a much more in-depth scan of internal memory, significantly increasing the chances of success in recovering images, videos, and other files. The result depends largely on whether or not the file has been overwritten after deletion.
How to use DiskDigger to recover deleted files on your Android phone
Using DiskDigger is notable for its simplicity, although there are a number of steps and recommendations that should be followed to maximize its possibilities:
- Download DiskDigger from Google Play. Only accept the original version; avoid cloned apps that promise miracles but don't deliver. You can also learn how to recover uninstalled apps..
- Once installed, when you open the application, you must grant the necessary permissions to access files on the device. This is critical, as DiskDigger needs to search for deleted files in multiple locations on the internal or external storage.
- Choose the scan type. If you're rooted, select "Full Scan." DiskDigger will analyze all possible memory sectors, locating images, videos, and, in the Pro version, other files such as documents (PDF, DOC/DOCX, XLS/XLSX, etc.), music, compressed files, and more. On non-rooted phones, it will only perform a basic cache and thumbnail scan.
- The scanning process may take a while depending on the size and speed of your memory. As it progresses, you'll see a message on the screen. gallery with miniatures of the recoverable photos and files along with date, size and format data.
- Select the files you want to restore. You can restore images directly to your phone's storage, send them to cloud platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox, or forward them via email.
Key recommendation: if you recently deleted files, don't use the phone more than necessary before attempting recovery. Any action, such as taking new photos or installing apps, can overwrite free space and make data recovery difficult or impossible.
What exactly can DiskDigger recover in its free and Pro versions?
La free version DiskDigger's is designed for images (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, WebP) and, on rooted devices, it also recovers videos (MP4, 3GP, AVI, MOV). Without root, it only scans cache and thumbnails, which means recovered images may be of lower quality than the originals.
La pro version It takes a qualitative and quantitative leap forward: it allows you to recover a long list of files, including documents (DOC, XLS, PPT, PDF, XPS, ODT, ZIP, EPUB, APK), music files (MP3, AMR, WAV, OGG, OPUS), compressed files, and much more. It also allows you to upload files directly to an FTP server, which is especially useful for advanced or technical users.
Key note: Whether free or paid, recovery capabilities improve dramatically if your phone is rooted. Otherwise, the app is limited to exploring accessible areas of storage, leaving many areas where deleted files could reside out of reach.
Why is it so important not to overwrite memory after deletion?
When you delete a file on Android, the system simply "marks" its space as available. The data itself remains physically present until it's overwritten by new data. Therefore, if you format the microSD card or factory reset your phone and continue using the device, you increase the risk of those areas being occupied, making any restoration attempts difficult. Learn how to use Secure Folder on Samsung.
Essential tip: If you have accidentally deleted valuable files on the microSD, remove the card and perform recovery directly from a PC Using Recuva or DiskDigger for desktop. On internal storage, use DiskDigger as soon as possible and avoid installing new applications or updating your system.
How to recover videos and other unsupported files in DiskDigger Free
The free version of DiskDigger for Android can only find videos on rooted devices, and can also recover photos from cache or temporary files. If you're looking to restore documents, music, or compressed files, you'll need to opt for the pro version.
You can also check out other tricks and tools for Recover deleted videos on Android step by step.
List of formats supported by DiskDigger Pro:
- Images: JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, WebP, TIF, CR2, SR2, NEF, DCR, PEF, DNG, ORF
- Videos: MP4, 3GP, AVI, MOV, M4A, HEIF
- Audio: MP3, AMR, WAV, OGG, OPUS, OGA
- Documents: DOC/DOCX, XLS/XLSX, PPT/PPTX, PDF, XPS, ODT/ODS/ODP/ODG, EPUB
- Compressed files: ZIP, RAR
- Contacts: VCF
- Others: APK (applications), SNB
How to save recovered files: DiskDigger allows you to save restored files locally, export them to the cloud, send them via email, or upload them to an FTP server. This flexibility makes it easy to back up and securely transport recovered information. Recover photos and videos from WhatsApp easily.
What to do if you've performed a factory reset or your files were encrypted?
If your device was encrypted and you performed a wipe or factory reset, unfortunately, your chances of recovery are drastically reduced. Encryption protects your information from unauthorized access, but it also prevents recovery applications from reconstructing deleted files, as the decryption keys are lost.
In these cases, the best option is to consult a professional data recovery service with advanced tools, although it's not always possible to recover the information. You can also learn how to recover data in cases of data loss.
What other alternatives to DiskDigger are there for recovering deleted files on Android?
While DiskDigger is one of the most recommended apps, there are other tools that may be useful, especially if you're looking to recover files other than images or videos, or on non-rooted devices. Here are some of the most relevant alternatives:
- Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android): This PC tool allows for selective and deep recovery of images, contacts, messages, videos, audio files, and documents on thousands of Android devices. It stands out for its success rate and the ability to preview files before recovering them. Additionally, Dr.Fone can restore data deleted by viruses, human error, or system failures. To use, you need to connect your phone to your PC and follow a few simple steps from its intuitive interface.
- Undeleter: Designed for rooted users, it searches for and restores deleted files from internal storage or microSD. It supports images, documents, and compressed files.
- EaseUS MobiSaver: App that combines recovery of photos, contacts, call logs and messages.
For all these methods, always remember to follow the maxim of avoid using the device after accidental erasure and use recovery software as soon as possible.
Professional tips for recovering deleted files with maximum success
- Act quickly: The less time has passed since you lost the file and the less you've used your phone, the greater the chances of recovery.
- Do not install or update apps after deletion: Each action potentially overwrites the sectors where the deleted files were.
- Remove the microSD card for recovery from PC: If the files were on external memory, perform the process from your computer.
- Consider rooting your phone if the information to be recovered is critical: Although it involves certain risks, root access greatly amplifies the scope of recovery.
- Make regular backups: Use Google Photos, Dropbox, OneDrive, or whatever cloud you prefer to avoid future issues.
Recovering deleted files on Android is possible, especially if you act quickly and use the right tools. DiskDigger is currently the leading app for images and videos, especially on rooted devices, although there are other alternatives if you're looking to restore different types of files. Prevention, through backups, remains the most foolproof method for protecting your memories and important documents. For most users, combining automatic cloud backup with knowledge of these apps is the best strategy against the accidental loss of personal information.
