Deleting photos or videos from an Android smartphone is one of the most unpleasant situations for a user. Most often this happens by accident: an awkward touch, a settings reset, or an application error. But even if you are sure that the files are erased forever, the chances of their return remain. In this article we will analyze all current methods of multimedia recovery from built-in Android tools to professional utilities, and also explain why some methods work only in the first hours after deletion.

It is important to understand: success depends on two factors - memory type (internal or map microSD) and actions after deletion. If you keep taking new photos, installing apps, or updating your system, your chances of getting old files back drop dramatically. Therefore the first rule: stop any operations with the device immediately after detecting data loss.

We tested each method on smartphones Samsung Galaxy S23, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and Google Pixel 7 under control Android 13–14. The results varied depending on the manufacturer - more about this in the section on built-in tools.

Many users do not know that Android and photo applications have temporary storage of deleted files is an analogue of the basket on a PC. The storage period varies from 30 to 60 days depending on the smartphone manufacturer and settings.

How to check:

  • 📱 Standard Android Gallery: open the application Gallery → tap on three dots (or swipe left) → select Trash or Recently Deleted. On Samsung the path may look like Gallery → Albums → Trash.
  • 🖼️ Google Photos: launch the application → select Library → Trashin the bottom menu. Here, files are stored for 60 days unless manually cleared.
  • 🔄 Other galleries: in Mi Gallery (Xiaomi) the trash is hidden in Albums → Deleted, and in Huawei Gallery — in More → Cart.
⚠️ Attention: If you used the function Memory optimization in Google Photos, the original files may have been deleted from the device and replaced with compressed versions in the cloud. In this case, it will not be possible to restore the original quality.

To return files from the recycle bin:

  1. Select the desired photos/videos with a long tap.
  2. Click Restore (or the arrow icon up).
  3. The files will be returned to the original folder (for example, Camera or Downloads).
📊 Have you ever recovered files from the Android recycle bin?
Yes, successfully
Yes, but not all files were returned
No, I didn’t know about that functions
I tried it, but the cart was empty

2. Restoring via Google Photos or Drive backups

If the recycle bin is empty, the next step is to check the cloud copies. Google Photos automatically backs up media filesif synchronization is enabled. Even if you deleted photos from your phone, copies of them could remain in the cloud.

Instructions for Google Photos:

  1. Open photos.google.com in a browser or application.
  2. In the menu select Trash (stores files for 60 days) or Archive (if files were archived and not deleted).
  3. To restore, click on the photo → Three dots → Restore.

For Google Drive:

  • 📁 Go to Google Drive → Cart (storage up to 30 days).
  • 🔍 Use keyword search (for example, type:video or IMAG for photos).
⚠️ Attention: If you have used an account work or educational institution, the administrator may have disabled the Google Drive Recycle Bin. In this case, the files are deleted permanently.

Alternative cloud services:

  • 🌥️ Yandex Disk: folder Cart (storage 30 days).
  • ☁️ Dropbox: section Deleted files (up to 30 days for free accounts).
  • 📦 OneDrive: Trash (storage depends on the type of subscription).
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If you regularly empty the Trash in the cloud, turn on file deletion notifications. In Google Photos, this is done in Settings → Notifications → Deleted items.

3. Using the manufacturer's built-in tools

Some brands add unique functions to the firmware for data recovery. Let's look at the most common ones:

Manufacturer Tool How to activate Restrictions
Samsung Samsung Cloud Settings → Accounts and archiving → Samsung Cloud → Restore data Requires preliminary backup setup. Free only 15 GB.
Xiaomi Mi Cloud Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery → Restore Recovers only files uploaded to the cloud. On some models, the function is disabled for Europe.
Huawei Huawei Cloud Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud → Data Recovery Works only with an active cloud subscription (free 5 GB).
Google Pixel Google Backup Settings → Google → Backup → Restore Restores only gallery metadata, the files themselves need to be searched in Google Photos.

On Samsung there is also a hidden function Secure Folder, which may contain copies of files if you transferred them there. To check:

  1. Open Settings → Privacy → Secure Folder.
  2. Enter your password/fingerprint.
  3. Check the folder Gallery inside Secure Folder.
What to do if the manufacturer has blocked the cloud in your region?

Some brands (for example, Xiaomi) limit access to Mi Cloud in Europe due to GDPR. In this case, try:

1. Change the account region via VPN (risk of blocking!).

2. Use third-party clouds (Google Photos, Yandex Drive).

3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and scan the memory with apps like DiskDigger (more on this below).

4. Recovery via PC: apps DiskDigger, EaseUS, Recuva

If the files are not found in the recycle bin or the cloud, it’s time to connect your smartphone to the computer. Special apps scan the device memory at the file system level, finding fragments of deleted data. Success depends on whether the memory sectors have been overwritten with new files.

Top 3 recovery apps:

  • 🛠️ DiskDigger (free version for photos):
    • Supports JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV.
    • Works without root access (but with root it will find more files).
    • Download: diskdigger.org.
  • 💻 EaseUS MobiSaver (paid, but with trial scanning):
    • Recovers data from internal memory and microSD.
    • Supports HEIC (photo from iPhone).
  • 🔍 Recuva (free, for memory cards):
    • Works better with microSDthan with internal memory.
    • Has a portable version (does not require installation).

Step-by-step guide for DiskDigger:

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on your smartphone

Connect your phone to the PC in file transfer mode (MTP)

Install DiskDigger on your computer

Run the app as administrator -->

  1. Select your smartphone's drive in the list of devices.
  2. Specify file types to search (for example, JPG and MP4).
  3. Run Dig Deep (deep scan).
  4. Once completed, mark the required files and click Recover.
  5. Save the recovered files to your PC (not to your phone!).
⚠️ Attention: If the app requires root access, be careful: root unlocking will void the warranty and may interfere with banking applications. On modern smartphones (Android 12+) it is more difficult to get root due to protection AVB (Android Verified Boot).

For memory cards microSD the process is simpler:

  1. Remove the card from the phone.
  2. Connect it to the PC via card reader.
  3. Run Recuva and select a removable disk.
  4. After scanning, save the files to your PC hard drive.

5. Recovery via ADB (for advanced users)

If apps do not find files, you can try extracting them through Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool. This method requires command line skills and does not guarantee 100% resultsbut sometimes helps to return files that are not visible through standard tools.

What you will need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
  • 📱 Smartphone with switched on USB debugging (Settings → About the phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).
  • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

  1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access via USB.
  2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
  3. Enter the command to test the connection: 
    adb devices

    The device serial number should appear.

  4. Create a backup copy of the data partition (replace /data with the desired partition if you know where the files were stored): 
    adb pull /data/media/0/DCIM backup_dcim
  5. Use a app like PhotoRec to scan the resulting copy.

This method is more complicated than others, but it can help if:

  • The files were deleted a long time ago (more than 30 days ago).
  • You do not use cloud backups copies.
  • apps like DiskDigger do not find anything.
⚠️ Warning: ADB commands can damage the system if entered incorrectly. Do not modify system partitions (/system, /boot) or delete files via ADB without understanding the consequences.

6. Contacting the service center: when it is justified

If all of the above methods did not work, the last option remains - professional data recovery. This is relevant in cases:

  • 💔 Physical damage to the phone (drowning, falling, burnt board).
  • 🔐 Deleting files after resetting to factory settings.
  • 📱 The memory controller is broken (the smartphone does not turn on or is not detected by the PC).

What they can do at the service center:

  • 🛃 Chip-off method: removing the memory chip and reading the data through the programmer. Expensive (from 10,000 ₽), but effective in case of physical damage.
  • 🔧 JTAG recovery: connection to the test contacts of the board for direct memory access. Suitable for phones that do not turn on.
  • 🔍 Logical analysis: search for file fragments at the hex code level (if the file system is damaged).

How to choose a service:

  • Check reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS (look for mentions of data recovery, not regular repairs).
  • Ask about the confidentiality guarantee - your photos/videos should not fall into the hands of third parties.
  • Check out the cost of diagnostics (sometimes it is free).
⚠️ Attention: Not all services work with data recovery - many specialize only in replacing screens or batteries. Before your visit, check by phone whether they have equipment for chip-off or JTAG.

Cost of services:

Type of damage Recovery method Average price (₽)
Logical deletion (no physical damage) app analysis 3 000–8 000
File system damage JTAG or chip-off 8 000–15 000
Physical memory damage (drowning, falling) Chip-off + board repair 15 000–30 000

7. How to prevent data loss in the future

The best way not to lose photos and videos is set up automatic backup. Here are proven methods:

  • ☁️ Google Photos:
    • Enable Backup and synchronization in the application settings.
    • Select quality Original (if disk space allows) or High (compression without loss of quality).
  • 📱 Local backup copying:
    • Use applications like FolderSync to copy photos to a PC or NAS via Wi-Fi.
    • On Samsung set up Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch to automatic backup.
  • 💾 Physical media:
    • Regularly transfer photos to an external hard drive or microSD (but do not store it constantly in your phone - memory cards break more often than internal memory).

Additional tips:

  • 🚫 Avoid applications like "Memory cleaners" - they often delete files beyond recovery.
  • 🔄 Before resetting to factory settings, check whether backup is enabled in Settings → System → Backup.
  • 📌 For particularly important files, use Google Drive with the function Deletion protection (available in corporate plans).
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Even if you do not plan to restore files right now, immediately after deletion, disconnect your phone from the Internet and do not take new photos/videos. The fewer memory operations, the higher the chances of successful recovery later.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about file recovery on Android

Is it possible to recover photos deleted a year ago?

The chances are extremely low. After a year, memory sectors are repeatedly overwritten by new files. The exception is if the phone was turned off all this time (for example, after a breakdown). In this case, only professional recovery through chip-off will help.

Why does DiskDigger find files, but they do not open?

This means that the app has found fragments of files, but their structure is damaged. Try:

  1. Save files in format RAW (if there is an option in the app).
  2. Use PhotoRec for recovery (it copes better with damaged data).
  3. Open files via VLC (for videos) or GIMP (for photos) - they sometimes read damaged media.
Are photos from Stories on Instagram or Snapchat restored?

No. These apps store media in temporary folders (/Android/data/com.instagram.android/cache), which are cleared when the history is deleted. The exception is if you saved stories to the gallery manually.

Is it possible to restore a photo after resetting to factory settings?

Only if:

  • Backup was enabled in Google Account or Samsung Cloud.
  • You are using TWRP Recovery and made a backup copy of the partition /data before resetting.
  • Contact the service center for chip-off recovery (expensive and not always successful).

In other cases, the data is considered lost.

Do recovery applications from the Play Market help?

Most applications like "Undeleter" or "Dumpster" work on the recycle bin principle - they save files only if they have been installed. If you install them after the fact, they are useless. The exception is before deleting. If you install them after the fact, they are useless. Exception - DiskDigger (there is a version for Android), but it requires root access for full operation.