Flashing an Android smartphone is a procedure that often becomes a salvation for “locked” or slow devices. But what should you do if, after installing the new firmware, you find that all your photos have disappeared? This situation is familiar to many: the internal memory is cleared, files are overwritten, and precious pictures seem lost forever. Fortunately, in 90% of cases, photos can be restored - if you act quickly and correctly.

The main problem is that standard backup methods (for example, via Google Photos) are often ignored by users until the moment when the data is already lost. Meanwhile, even after a complete flashing, the files do not disappear instantly - they remain on the device until they are overwritten by new data. In this article we will examine 5 proven recovery methodsincluding the use of specialized software, working with cloud services and even manual data extraction via ADB. Important: the less you use your phone after flashing the firmware, the higher the chances of success.

Before you begin recovery, answer two key questions:

  1. Have you backed up photos before (via Google Account, Mi Cloud, Samsung Cloud or third-party applications)?
  2. Was synchronization with the cloud enabled at the time of the firmware?

If the answer to any of the questions is “yes,” your chances of returning the pictures are close to 100%. If not, don’t despair: modern tools like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver are able to restore files even after formatting the partition /data.

📊 How often do you backup photos?
Never
Once every year
Every month
Automatically via the cloud

1. Checking cloud backups: the first step to recovery

Start with the simplest and most obvious: check if your photos are saved in cloud services. Most modern smartphones (especially from Samsung, Xiaomi, Google and Huawei) automatically synchronize media files with the cloud - if this function has been activated.

How to check:

  • 📱 Google Photos: Open the application or go to photos.google.com from any device. Check the folder "Archive" and section "Trash" (files are stored there for 60 days).
  • 🌥️ Manufacturer cloud:
    • For Samsung: Samsung Cloud or Galaxy Cloud (available in Settings → Accounts and archiving).
    • For Xiaomi: Mi Cloud (check in Settings → Mi Account → Cloud).
    • For Huawei: Huawei Cloud (section Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud).
  • 🔄 Third-party services: If you used Dropbox, OneDrive or Yandex Disk, check the folders with automatic downloads (usually called "Camera Uploads" or "Startup").

Important: some manufacturers (for example, Samsung) can store backups for only 15-30 days. If the firmware was installed a long time ago, the files could have been deleted. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

💡

If you don't remember whether syncing was turned on, try regaining access to your old Google account. Even if the phone is reset, the photos could be saved in the cloud under the linked mail.

2. Recovery through specialized software: DiskDigger, EaseUS, Dr.Fone

If there are no cloud copies, the next step is to use data recovery apps. These tools scan the device's internal memory at the file system level and find deleted files before they are overwritten. The best solutions for Android:

app Root support Recovery without root Max. file size Cost
DiskDigger ✅ Full ✅ Limited (thumbnails only) Unlimited Free / $14.99
EaseUS MobiSaver ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (partially) 100 MB $39.95
Dr.Fone (Wondershare) ✅ Yes ❌ No Unlimited $59.95
Recuva (for memory cards) ❌ No ✅ Yes 4 GB Free

Step-by-step guide for DiskDigger (the most effective option):

  1. Download and install DiskDigger s Google Play.
  2. Launch the application and select "Full scanning" (requires root access).
  3. Specify file type: check "JPG", "PNG", "HEIC" (for iPhone photos).
  4. Wait for scanning to complete (may take up to 1-2 hours).
  5. Select the found photos and click "Restore". Save them to a memory card or to the cloud.

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on the phone|Charge the device to 100%|Do not install new applications|Use the original USB cable-->

Important note about root access: Without them, apps will only be able to find thumbnails of photos (the size ~100–200 KB). For a complete recovery, you will need to unlock bootloader and get root. On some devices (for example, Samsung s Knox) this will trigger the flag RMM/Knox and void the warranty.

What to do if the phone is not detected PC?

If your device is not recognized by the computer after flashing the firmware, try:

1. Install drivers ADB manually via Android SDK.

2. Switch the connection mode from "Charging" to "File transfer" (screen unlocking may be required).

3. Use another USB port (preferably USB 2.0 on the back panel of the PC).

4. Disable USB debugging and enable it again in Settings → For Developers.

3. Manual recovery via ADB: for experienced users

If the apps did not find the photos, but you are sure that they were on the device, you can try to extract them manually via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires knowledge of the command line and only works if you have root access or unlocked bootloader.

Instructions:

  1. Install Platform Tools on a PC.
  2. Connect your phone to the computer and enable USB debugging.
  3. Open the command line (cmd) and run: 
    adb shell

    su
    

    cd /data/media/0/DCIM/
    

    ls

    Here /DCIM/ is a standard folder with photos. If it is not there, check /Pictures/ or /Download/.

  4. Copy the files to your PC: 
    adb pull /data/media/0/DCIM/ C:\Backup\Photos

Critical detail: if the folder /data was formatted during the firmware, this method will not work. In this case, the only option left is recovery through low-level scanning (see section 4).

💡

ADB method is only suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader. It will not work on phones with a locked bootloader (for example, most Xiaomi models).

4. Low-level scanning: when all else fails

If standard methods do not produce results, the last option remains - low-level scanning of the device memory. This method requires:

  • 🔧 Unlocked bootloader.
  • 💻 Computer with Linux or Windows (for dd-commands).
  • 🛠️ Knowledge of working with the terminal.

Action algorithm:

  1. Connect the phone in mode fastboot and create an image of the partition userdata: 
    fastboot oem unlock

    fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
    

    adb pull /dev/block/mmcblk0pXX userdata_backup.img

    (Replace XX to the current partition number for your model.)

  2. Use PhotoRec (part of the package TestDisk) to scan the image: 
    photorec /d C:\Recovery userdata_backup.img
  3. Wait for the process to complete (may take several hours).

⚠️ Attention: Low-level scanning is a risky procedure. An error in the commands can lead to complete loss of data or bricking of the device. If you are not confident in your skills, contact a specialist.

5. Recovery from a physically damaged device

If the phone does not turn on after unsuccessful firmware (for example, it got stuck on the logo or went to bootloop), but photos are critical, there are two options left:

  1. Connecting via JTAG:
    • 🔌 Requires special equipment (JTAG cable or RIFF Box).
    • 💰 Cost of service at the service center: from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles.
    • ⏱️ Recovery time: 1–3 days.
  2. Replacing the memory chip:
    • 🔧 Used if the memory controller is damaged.
    • 📱 Requires soldering of the chip onto the working board.
    • ⚠️ Risk of data loss: ~30% (depending on qualifications wizard).

⚠️ Attention: If the phone was dropped into water or was physically damaged before flashing, the chances of data recovery drop sharply. In such cases, it is recommended to contact laboratories with clean rooms (for example, ACE Lab or Flash Extract), where the chips are removed under sterile conditions.

6. Prevention for the future: how to avoid losing photos

The best way to recover photos is to never lose them. Follow these rules to minimize risks:

  • ☁️ Automatic sync: Set up a backup in Google Photos (Settings → Backup and sync. Select quality "Original"if it is important to maintain the original resolution.
  • 📁 Local copies: Regularly (once every 1-2 months) copy photos to a PC or external drive. Use utilities like Syncthing for automatic synchronization.
  • 🔄 Dual storage: Save especially valuable pictures in two clouds (for example, Google Photos + Yandex Disk).
  • 📱 Separate memory card: Set the camera to save photos to microSD (to Camera settings → Save location). The card can be removed before flashing.

💡 Advice for Samsung owners: Phones with One UI have a built-in function "Secure Folder" (in Settings → Biometrics and security). Photos saved there are not deleted when resetting the settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about photo recovery after flashing

Is it possible to restore photos if the phone was completely formatted?

Yes, but the chances depend on how much data was written to the device after formatting. If you started recovery right away, the success rate is ~70–80%. If the phone was actively used (applications were installed, new photos were taken), the chances drop to 20–30%.

Will a factory reset help get photos back?

No, a factory reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) deletes all user data, including photos. This process cannot be undone. If you have not yet done a reset, but are planning to flash the firmware, first copy the photo to a PC or memory card.

Is it possible to recover photos from a phone that does not turn on?

Yes, but you will need specialized equipment (JTAG, ISP programmer) or replacing the memory chip. It is impossible to do this on your own - contact service centers with experience working with “dead” devices.

How much does it cost to restore photos in a service center?

The cost depends on the method:

  • Software recovery: 1,500–5,000 rubles.
  • JTAG/ISP: 5,000–15,000 rubles.
  • Replacement of memory chip: 10,000–30,000 rubles (depending on the phone model).

Prices are valid for Moscow and St. Petersburg. May differ in regions.

Which photos are restored better: those taken with a phone camera or downloaded from the Internet?

Photos taken with a phone camera are restored worse because:

  1. They are often stored in a compressed format (for example, HEIC on an iPhone or JPEG with a high degree of compression).
  2. Can be broken into fragments (especially panoramas or photographs in mode HDR).
  3. The system can store them in encrypted form (starting from Android 10).

Images downloaded from the Internet (for example, PNG or JPEG without compression) are restored almost completely.