Smartphone users Honor 20 often face a situation where an accidentally deleted file is lost forever. This happens because in the operating system Android there is no single system recycle bin, like in Windows, where all deleted objects go. Instead, each type of data has its own temporary storage buffer, and can only be found in the source application.
If you've just erased a photo or document, it's too early to panic. In most cases, deleted items are stored in hidden sections of applications for a period of 30 to 60 days. Data recovery on Honor 20 possible if you know in which folder to look for temporary storage for your file type.
In this article we will look in detail algorithms for searching for deleted objects in standard applications, third-party file managers and cloud services. Understanding the structure of your file system Honor will allow you to quickly recover lost information without using complex paid software.
Standard gallery and image storage
The most popular place where users look for deleted files is the Gallery application. Smartphones Honor 20 with shell Magic UI or EMUI implement their own security system for photos. When you delete a photo, it does not disappear immediately, but is moved to a special album.
To get there, you need to launch the “Gallery” application and go to the “Albums” tab. Scroll to the bottom of the list, where you will find the “Other Albums” section. This is where the folder is hidden Recently deleted. Files are stored in it for up to 30 days, after which the system automatically clears the space.
⚠️ Attention: If you deleted photos from the “Recently deleted” folder inside the Gallery, it will be impossible to restore them using standard means, since this action is considered final.
Inside this folder, you can select specific images and click the "Recover" button. If you want to free up space right now, use the “Delete All” function.
Before cleaning the “Recently Deleted” folder, check to see if there are any necessary screenshots or documents there that you could accidentally erase along with unsuccessful takes.
Search for deleted files in the application manager
The situation with documents, archives and installation files .apk the situation is different. To work with them, Honor 20 uses a system file manager, which is often called simply “Files” or “File Manager”. It also has its own isolated clipboard.
Open the Files app and pay attention to the bottom navigation bar. You need to select the “Categories” category or go directly to the “Recent” section. However, to find exactly the deleted one, you should click on the three dots in the upper right corner or the menu button (three bars), where a drop-down list will open.
In this list, select the item Trash. Documents that you deleted through the file manager itself are stored here. Their shelf life is also usually 30 days. If you deleted a file through a third-party explorer, it may not be in the system recycle bin. Honor it may not exist.
- 📂 Open the Files application on the main screen.
- 🗑️ Click on the menu (three dots or stripes) in the corner interface.
- 🔍 Select the “Recycle Bin” item to view deleted objects.
- ✅ Select the required files and click “Recover.”
It is worth noting that some firmware versions Magic UI may not have a built-in recycle bin in the file manager default. In this case, deleted files disappear instantly if cloud synchronization is not used.
Google Photos cloud storage and synchronization
Users often forget that synchronization with services is enabled by default Honor 20 By default, synchronization with services is activated Google. Even if you deleted a photo from your phone's internal memory, a copy of it could be saved in the cloud. The service Google Photos has its own system-independent shopping cart.
To check, open the application Google Photos (icon in the form of a multi-colored flower). Click on your account avatar in the top right corner and select Settings. In the menu, find the “Cart” item. Here files can be stored for up to 60 days, and for subscribers Google One up to 5 years.
This is one of the most reliable recovery methods, since cloud storage is less prone to failures when flashing or resetting the phone. If your local gallery Honor is empty, be sure to check the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting a photo from the Google Photos Trash permanently erases it from all synchronized devices, including a tablet and computer.
The cloud interface allows you to sort files by date of deletion, which greatly simplifies the search. You can also restore all items at once or select specific images. The recovery speed depends on the quality of the Internet connection.
What to do if the photo is not in any recycle bin?
If the file is not found in local folders and the cloud, try checking the “Archive” in Google Photos. Often, users accidentally archive pictures, thinking that they have deleted them, and they are simply hidden from the main feed.
Third-party file managers and their settings
Many owners Honor 20 prefer to install alternative explorers, such as ES Explorer, File Commander or Total Commander. These applications ignore the Android system recycle bin and create their own temporary storage.
If you use third-party software, you need to search for deleted files exclusively within this application. Typically the path looks like this: application menu → settings or tools → trash. Interfaces may differ, but the logic remains the same.
Below is a table with approximate paths to the cart in popular managers, which are often placed on Honor:
| Application | Path to cart | Retention period |
|---|---|---|
| ES Explorer | Menu → Trash | Indefinitely (until cleared) |
| File Commander | Tools → Trash | 30 days |
| Files by Google | Menu → Trash | 30 days |
It is important to understand that if you deleted a file through a standard manager and looked for it in a third-party one, you will not find it. Applications do not exchange data about deleted objects with each other for security reasons.
☑️ Check before recovery
System limitations and data overwriting
You should clearly understand the principle of memory operation on Android. When you delete a file and empty the Recycle Bin, the system does not physically erase any bits of information from the memory chip. It only marks the place where the file was located as “free for writing.”
Until a new file is written to this place, the data can theoretically be restored using special utilities. However, as soon as you start actively using your phone, shooting new videos or downloading applications, the old deleted data will be irrevocably overwritten.
That's why the first action if you accidentally delete an important file is to stop using the phone. Do not take new photos, do not download movies and, if possible, turn on airplane mode so that background processes do not take up space.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu names may vary slightly depending on the version of Magic UI (3.0, 3.1, 4.0) and regional firmware of your Honor 20. If you do not find the described item, check the official guide in the “Help” section.
There is a myth that root access can work wonders with recovery. On modern versions of Android with disk encryption, even having root access does not guarantee success, and an attempt to gain these rights can lead to a locked bootloader.
The chances of recovery without a computer are high only during the first hours after deletion and provided that the recycle bin has not been emptied manually.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to restore photos after resetting Honor 20 to factory settings?
After a full reset (Factory Reset), the local trash bins in the Gallery and File Manager are cleared. Restoration is only possible if synchronization with Google Photos or Huawei Cloud was enabled before the reset.
Where is the hidden .thumbnails folder on Honor 20?
This folder is located on the path DCIM/.thumbnails at the root of the internal memory. However, in new versions of Android, access to it is limited, and it is often used by the system for cache, and not as a reliable storage for deleted photos.
Why do files in the trash take up space on the phone?
Files in the “Recently Deleted” trash physically continue to take up space in the internal memory Honor 20since they are not deleted finally. To free up space, you need to empty the recycle bin manually.
Is there a single system recycle bin for all applications on Android?
No, in the Android operating system there is no single recycle bin for the entire system. Each application (Gallery, Mail, Files) has its own isolated storage for deleted items.