Losing photos on a smartphone is always a stressful situation, especially when it comes to valuable memories or work materials. Model owners Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 often face the question of whether it is possible to return pictures after accidental deletion or system failure. Fortunately, the architecture of the operating system Android and the proprietary shell Samsung Experience provide several levels of data protection that can save your gallery.
The recovery process directly depends on how long ago the files were deleted and what backup settings were previously activated on the device. If you just noticed the missing images, the chances of success are maximum, since the memory sectors have not yet been overwritten by new information. In this article, we will analyze in detail all available methods, from built-in system functions to the use of specialized PC software.
Checking the built-in recycle bin in the Samsung gallery
The first and most obvious step is to check the special system storage for deleted files. Beginning with certain versions of the update for Galaxy A5 2017, the standard Gallery application introduced a “Trash” feature that retains deleted items for 30 days. This is a buffer zone that allows you to undo an erroneous user action without using complex tools.
To get to this section, you need to open the Gallery application and go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden under three vertical dots or horizontal lines in the corner of the screen. There you will find the item Trash or Recently Deleted. Inside this directory are stored all the photos and videos that have been manually erased by the user, but have not yet been completely cleared by the system.
It is important to understandThe storage period for files in this folder is limited. If more than a month has passed since deletion, the system automatically clears the recycle bin to free up space on the internal memory device. In this case, it will no longer be possible to return the data using standard interface tools, and you will need to switch to deeper search methods.
⚠️ Attention: If you have emptied the recycle bin manually or the 30-day period has expired, the files are marked as available for overwriting. Continue to use your phone minimally so as not to lose the chance of recovery through third-party utilities.
The built-in Gallery recycle bin is the fastest way to return photos, but it only works for 30 days after deletion.
Recovery via the Google Photos cloud service
Most users Android by default have activated synchronization with the service Google Photos. Even if you don't remember turning this option on, it's worth checking your cloud storage, as backup is often activated automatically when you first set up your account Google. This service stores copies of your pictures on remote servers, regardless of the memory state of the smartphone itself.
Log into the application Google Photos or to the website photos.google.com through your computer browser, using the same account as on your phone. Pay attention to the section Library and then to the folder Basket inside the application. Google's algorithms also retain user-deleted files for 60 days, which gives more time to think compared to the standard Gallery. To do this, just select the necessary pictures and select the “Recover” option. The images will be returned to the main gallery feed and the corresponding albums on your Samsung.
If photos are found in the cloud, you can easily restore them back to your device. To do this, just select the necessary pictures and select the “Recover” option. The images will return to the main gallery feed and the corresponding albums on your Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 in the form in which they were uploaded.
- 📷 Check the Photos tab on Google to see your full upload history.
- 🔄 Use the "Recover" function to return files from the cloud recycle bins.
- ☁️ Make sure synchronization is enabled on your phone in your Google account settings.
Using the Samsung Cloud service
The company Samsung provided its own cloud service for owners of its devices, including the model A5 2017. Although in new versions of the software the functionality was changed towards partnership with Microsoft OneDrive, on older firmware or with manual configuration the classic Samsung Cloudcould remain active. This is a Google-independent backup channel that is definitely worth checking out.
To access the settings, go to the menu Settings, then find the section Cloud and accounts or simply Samsung Cloud. Inside the interface, select a category Gallery. If the synchronization feature has been enabled, you will see a list of albums uploaded to the server. Even if a photo is deleted from the phone, a copy of it can be saved in the cloud for up to 15 days after being deleted from the synced folder.
It is worth considering that the terms of provision of cloud storage services may change. The functionality and storage periods of data in Samsung Cloud depend on the region and software version of your device. It is recommended to check the current service conditions in the official support section or in the settings of your Samsung account.
What to do if Samsung Cloud requires an update?
If an application requests an update or transfer of data to OneDrive, follow the instructions on the screen. Often, after migration, the data becomes available in the OneDrive application in the Samsung Photos folder.
Analysis of a microSD memory card
The model Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 supports the installation of expansion memory cards of format microSD. By default, many users configure the camera to save pictures to an external drive. If your photos were stored there, the recovery process has its own characteristics that differ from working with internal flash memory.
First of all, remove the memory card from the smartphone and connect it to the computer via a card reader. This will allow you to use powerful software to scan media without the risk of damaging the phone’s file system. Internal memory Android when connected via USB is often mounted in MTP mode, which makes it difficult for special apps to deeply scan sectors.
On your computer, run a data recovery app by selecting the drive letter corresponding to your memory card. Since the card is not encrypted with the phone's system keys (unless full SD card encryption has been enabled), the chances of finding deleted files are extremely high. The file system of memory cards is usually easier to analyze by recovery algorithms.
| Search method | Efficiency | Complexity | Required equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallery Trash | High (30 days) | Low | Smartphone only |
| Google Photos | High (60 days) | Low | Internet |
| PC + Card reader | Average/High | Average | Computer, card reader |
| Root utilities | High | High | root access, PC |
Before connecting the memory card to the PC, make sure that you have an antivirus installed on your computer to avoid infection with viruses that could get onto the card from other devices.
Use of specialized software for PC
If the built-in tools and clouds do not help, professional data recovery utilities, such as Dr.Fone, DiskDigger (PC version) or Recuva, come to the rescue. These apps are capable of conducting sector-by-sector analysis of memory, finding traces of files that have been deleted, but are still physically present on the media until the moment of overwriting.
To work with internal memory Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 most apps require root access. Without superuser rights, access to system memory partitions for deep scanning is often blocked by security policy Android. If your phone is not rooted, the app will only be able to scan areas visible to the user, which significantly reduces the search efficiency.
The process is as follows: install the software on your computer, connect the phone with a USB cable, turn on the mode USB debugging in the developer menu and start scanning. The app will try to find deleted images based on file signatures (JPEG, PNG). The found photos can be saved directly to the computer's hard drive.
⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access may void the warranty (if it is still valid) and lead to data loss if the procedure is incorrect. Do this only if other methods have not worked and you understand the risks.
☑️ Preparing for recovery via PC
Prevention and configuration of autosave
After a successful recovery or even in the process of searching for lost files, it is critical to configure the system so that a similar situation does not happen in the future. Data loss most often occurs due to lack of duplication of information. Modern smartphones offer flexible tools for automating this process.
It is recommended to activate synchronization with several services at once. For example, use Google Photos to quickly synchronize in original quality or compressed format, and also set up periodic backups of the entire folder DCIM to a computer or another cloud (for example, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox). This will create a “triple copy” effect, which is the gold standard for data security.
It is also worth checking the operation of memory cards regularly. Flash drives have a limited write life and can suddenly fail. Periodically copy important archives from the memory card to permanent storage media. Do not store the only copy of important memories only on removable media inside the phone.
Setting up a backup does not take much time, but saves nerves at a critical moment. Make sure that the correct save path is selected in the camera settings, and you know where exactly your files are located - in the internal memory or on the SD card. Conscious management of the file system is the best protection against loss.
The only way to be sure not to lose a photo is to have at least two independent copies: one in the cloud and one on an external drive.
Is it possible to restore a photo if the phone has been reset to factory settings?
Recovery after a full reset (Factory Reset) is extremely difficult, especially on modern versions of Android with active encryption. Encryption keys are removed during the reset, making the data unreadable. There is a chance only if the data was stored on an unencrypted memory card.
How long are photos stored in the Google Photos recycle bin?
In the Google Photos service recycle bin, deleted items are stored for exactly 60 days. After this period has expired, they are deleted permanently and cannot be restored even by the support service.
Do you need root access for the DiskDigger app on your phone?
The basic version of DiskDigger, installed as an Android app, can scan cache and thumbnails without root access. To fully scan the entire memory and restore originals in high quality, superuser access is required.
What to do if the computer does not see the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017?
Try replacing the USB cable with the original one, installing the Samsung USB Driver on the PC and switching the connection mode in the phone's notification shade from “Charging only” to “File transfer” (MTP).