How to Recover Deleted Files on Android Phone Tablet

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

It can be a very frustrating or even heartbreaking experience to lose your images. Missing photos and videos can be lost forever from your Android device. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to protect those precious memories.

Tools You'll Need:

  • A paperclip
  • iPhone charging cable
  • Access to a computer with iTunes installed
  • Any other non-consumable tools needed
  • Comment out tools section if no tools are necessary

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Supplies You'll Need:

  • Zip ties
  • Any other consumable supplies
  • Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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Before You Begin:

  • You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
  • You must have that thing for the other thing so you can do the thing.

You must have this thing before you whatever.

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File Recovery.

2. Restore Deleted Items using Google Photos

With the Google Photos app you can back up unlimited photos and videos for free, providing they're smaller than 16MP and 1080p resolution. 

If you're signed up to Google Photos and have been using it, you can use it now to get your image and video files back.

  1. Open the Google Photos app.
Google Photos.
  1. Swipe from the left, and select Trash or Bin.
Bin selected
  1. Select Restore at the top.
Selecting restore
  1. Select any images you wish to restore, then select Restore at the bottom right.
Restoring a photo

3. Restore Deleted Items using Google Drive

Alternatively, if you don't have Google Photos or it isn't a lost image you're after, Google Drive allows you to share your files easily between all your devices, as well as access them from anywhere in the world on any other computer you can access.

Like Google Photos, unless you've intentionally set it up, you won't be able to get your files back.

  1. Open the Google Drive app.
Google Drive.
  1. Swipe from left to right, and select Trash.
Trash selection
  1. Look through the files listed for missing files.
  2. If you see a file you wish to restore, select the 3-dot menu for that file.
Trash with 3-dot menu highlighted.
  1. Select Restore from the menu.
File menu with Restore highlighted.

4. If My Files Couldn't Be Saved

We were unable to locate the file on your device, and all the backup resources that are available are either not in use, or do not contain the file.

The next option is professional data recovery. These services can be quite expensive, depending on how much data is lost, and how the data was lost in the first place.

If you intend to pursue professional data recovery services, it is extremely important you stop using your device, Shut it down, and do not turn it back on till after you have spoken with the professional data recovery service you have chosen.

Continuing to use the device in any way can destroy the data permanently, without any chance or hope of recovery.