Losing important data on a smartphone is always stressful and a headache. You might have accidentally deleted valuable photos, cleared your contact list, or lost your messenger conversations. At such moments, specialized software comes to the rescue, capable of scanning internal memory and memory cards in search of surviving files. One of the popular solutions on the market is UltData for Android, which offers wide functionality for saving information.
Working with such utilities requires care and strict adherence to algorithms so as not to damage the device even more. The recovery process depends on the gadget model, operating system version and availability root access. In this article, we will look in detail at how to properly configure the app, conduct a deep scan and recover deleted files, minimizing the risks of system damage.
Preparing equipment and installing software
Before you start, you need to make sure that your computer meets the system requirements of the app. Typically, stable operation Tenorshare UltData requires a computer running Windows or macOS with sufficient RAM. You will also need an original USB cable, since low-quality wires often lead to disconnections at a critical moment of scanning.
Download the installation file from the developer’s official website to avoid malware. After installation, launch the application and select the operating mode Android data recovery. At this stage, it is important not to connect the smartphone right away, but first configure the debugging parameters.
⚠️ Attention: Do not install the recovery app on the same drive from which you plan to recover data if the phone's memory is connected as a removable drive. This may result in overwriting deleted files.
Connect your device to your PC via USB. The system should detect the gadget, but for in-depth analysis you will need to activate a special developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and press 7 times on the item Build numberto unlock the menu for developers.
Use USB 3.0 ports (blue) on the back panel of the computer to ensure maximum data transfer speed and connection stability during scanning.
Setting up USB debugging and obtaining access rights
The key step is to enable USB debugging. Without this permission, the computer will not be able to access the smartphone's file system to search for deleted entries. In the developers menu that appears, find the switch USB debugging and activate it.
When you connect the cable, a request will appear on the smartphone screen to allow debugging from this computer. Be sure to click Allow and check the box “Always allow from this computer” so that the process is not interrupted. If the window does not appear, try disconnecting and reconnecting the cable or changing the USB port.
| Android version | Connection features | Required actions |
|---|---|---|
| Android 4.2 - 5.0 | Standard debugging | Simply check the box in the developer menu |
| Android 5.0 - 7.0 | RSA confirmation required | Click “Allow” in the pop-up window on the screen |
| Android 8.0 and higher | Advanced rights | You may need to select MTP mode or PTP |
In some cases, especially on older models or specific firmware, the app may request installation of an additional driver or obtain root access. If you are not experienced with rooting, it is better to avoid this option as it may void the warranty. The app can also work in standard mode, although the scanning depth will be slightly less.
Selecting data types to scan
After successfully connecting the app interface, it will display a list of categories of data available for recovery. You can select all the items at once or mark only those that interest you, for example Contact, Messages or Photos. Selecting specific types will speed up the analysis process.
Pay attention to the section with messengers. UltData supports recovery of chat history from WhatsApp, Viber, Line and WeChat. This is a separate function that requires selecting the appropriate icon in the main menu before connecting the device. The algorithm for working with instant messengers differs from restoring regular gallery files.
- 📸 Multimedia: Photos, videos, audio files and documents from internal memory.
- 📞 Communication: Call log, text SMS and list of contacts with numbers.
- 💬 Messengers: Attachments and text of correspondence from popular communication applications.
If you are not sure what exactly was deleted, it is better to run a full scan. This will take more time, but will ensure that no files are missed. The app will automatically analyze the file system structure and identify sectors marked as free but containing data.
Why are some files not displayed immediately?
Files may be fragmented or have damaged headers. The app marks them as “lost”, but when previewing they may not look correct until they are fully recovered.
Scanning process and preview
Press the button Get Startedto start the search procedure. A progress bar will appear on the screen showing the current analysis status. During this time, it is strictly forbidden to disconnect the cable or turn off the smartphone screen, as this will interrupt the connection to the database.
The scanning process can take from several minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of memory and the number of files. The app works in two stages: quick scanning of existing files and deep scanning of deleted data. Do not interrupt the process, even if it seems to be stuck.
⚠️ Warning: During a deep scan, the phone may become warm. This is a normal processor response to high load, but make sure the device is lying on a hard surface to dissipate heat.
When the analysis is complete, you will see a list of files found. A unique feature of UltData is the preview feature. You can open a photo, read the text of a message, or listen to an audio recording directly in the app interface before making a decision about recovery.
Files that can be recovered are usually displayed in black, while those that are irreparably damaged are gray or translucent. Use filters and search by name to quickly find the information you need among thousands of detected records.
☑️ Recovery quality control
Data recovery and saving to PC
When you have decided on the list of files, check them. You should not restore everything if there is no need for it, as this will take up extra space on your hard drive. Click the button Restore in the lower corner of the app window.
You will be asked to select a folder on your computer to save the data. It is recommended to create a new directory with a clear name, for example Recovered_Data_Date. The app will automatically distribute files into folders according to their type (images in one, contacts in another).
Default saving path:
C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Tenorshare\UltData\Recovery
After clicking the confirmation button The process of copying data from the app's temporary buffer to your hard drive will begin. The speed depends on the USB interface and the amount of information being restored. When finished, a report will appear showing the number of successfully recovered files.
Recovered files are saved only to the computer, and not back to the phone. This is done for safety reasons so as not to damage the current file system of the smartphone by writing data.
Solving common problems and errors
The process does not always go smoothly. Users may experience connection errors or missing files found. Most often the problem lies in USB drivers or Android security settings. Check the device manager on your PC and make sure that the phone is detected correctly.
If the app does not see the device, try using a different cable or port. It is also worth disabling the antivirus while working, as it can block the utility’s access to the phone’s system resources. In rare cases, rebooting both devices helps.
- 🔌 Connection error: Check the cable, enable USB debugging, change the port.
- 🚫 No files found: Data may have been overwritten by new files after deletion.
- ⚡ Failure when scanning: Update the app to the latest version and restart the PC.
It is worth remembering that the effectiveness of recovery directly depends on how actively the phone was used after the files were deleted. If you immediately start shooting new videos or downloading applications, the chances of success are significantly reduced due to overwriting of memory sectors.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and functionality of the app can be updated by the developer. If the described buttons differ from those you see on the screen, please refer to the help inside the current version of the application.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need root access to operate UltData for Android?
For basic photo and contact recovery, root access is not required, the app works in standard mode. However, for deep recovery of messages and messenger data on some models, temporary rooting may be required, which the app will offer to perform automatically.
Is it possible to recover data from a broken screen?
If the sensor does not work, but there is an image, you can try connecting a USB mouse via an OTG cable for control. If the screen is completely black and the phone does not turn on, software recovery methods without enabling debugging mode are impossible.
Is it safe to use this app for my personal data?
The scanning process occurs locally on your computer, the data is not sent to third-party servers. However, it is recommended to use a licensed version of the software downloaded from an official source to prevent leaks.
What to do if the recovered photos do not open?
This is a sign that the file has been partially overwritten with new data. In this case, you can try using the built-in photo repair tools in the app or specialized utilities to restore file headers.