Have you deleted important photos from Samsung Galaxy A5 and don’t know how to get them back? The situation is familiar to many: accidentally pressing “Delete,” resetting settings, or even breaking your phone can deprive you of valuable photos. Luckily, Android has several data protection mechanisms, from the built-in recycle bin to cloud backups. But you need to act quickly: the longer you delay recovery, the higher the risk that lost files will be overwritten by new data.

In this article we will examine 7 proven methods getting photos back to Galaxy A5 —from the simplest (checking the recycle bin) to the complex (using a PC and specialized software). We will pay special attention to the nuances that depend on the Android version, device model (Galaxy A5 2015/2016/2017) and synchronization settings. If you have already tried to restore files without success, do not rush to give up: at the end of the article there is a section with alternative solutions for advanced cases.

The first thing to do is look into built-in basket applications Gallery. On most devices Samsung deleted photos are stored there up to 30 days (the setting may vary depending on the firmware version). This is the fastest way to return pictures without additional apps.

How to open the basket:

  • 📱 Open the application Gallery (icon with multi-colored photographs).
  • 🔍 Click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or swipe right in some versions).
  • 🗑️ Select an item Trash or Recently deleted.
  • 🔄 Find the photos you need, select them and click Restore.

If the trash is empty or it is not in menu, it means:

  • ❌ Photos were deleted more than 30 days ago (or another period if you changed the settings).
  • ❌ You used the function Empty Trash manually.
  • ❌ Photos were deleted through File manager, not the gallery.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware Galaxy A5 (especially on older versions of Android 5-6) the basket may be missing. In this case, proceed to the next method.
📊 Have you already tried to restore photos through the trash?
Yes, but there was nothing there
Yes, and I managed to return some of the pictures
No, not knew about this function
I tried it, but the cart does not open

2. Restore via Google Photos

If your Samsung Galaxy A5 has been enabled synchronization with Google Photos, the chances of returning deleted pictures are much higher. The service stores backup copies of photos in the cloud, and even after deleting them from the phone, they can be restored within 60 days (in the Google Photos trash).

Instructions:

  1. Open application Google Photos (if it is not there, download it from Play Market).
  2. Login using the same account Googlethat was linked to the phone when the photo was deleted.
  3. Click on the profile avatar → Cart.
  4. Select the photos you need and click Restore.

If the cart is empty:

  • 🔎 Check the folder Archive in Google Photos - sometimes users accidentally archive photos instead of deleting them.
  • 📅 To do this, go to Settings → Backup and synchronization and check the date of the last backup.
  • 💾 If synchronization was disabled, try other methods (see below).
⚠️ Attention: Google Photos compresses photos when backing up if you did not have a subscription Google One. quality.
💡

If you do not remember whether auto-upload was enabled in Google Photos, check the settings along the path: Google Photos → Profile → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization. The status and date of the last synchronization will be indicated there.

3. Using Samsung Cloud (only for older models)

Devices Samsung Galaxy A5 (especially models 2015-2017) supported the service Samsung Cloud —an analogue of Google Photos from the manufacturer. If you used it, photos could be automatically saved to the cloud. However, since 2021, Samsung has closed this service for most regions, replacing it with Microsoft OneDrive.

How to check for backups:

  • 🌐 Go to the website support.samsungcloud.com (if it is still available in your region).
  • 🔑 Log in to your account Samsung.
  • 📂 Check the section Gallery or Backups.

If Samsung Cloud is unavailable:

  • 🔄 Try restoring data via OneDrive (if you transferred files there manually).
  • 📱 Check the folder DCIM/SamsungCloud on your phone using a file manager - sometimes local files remain there copies.
⚠️ Attention: Samsung Cloud has officially stopped supporting photo backups. If you haven't manually transferred your data to another service, this method most likely won't work.
What to do if Samsung Cloud is not working?

Samsung Cloud service was closed for most users in 2021. If you haven't manually transferred your data to OneDrive or Google Photos before now, you won't be able to restore your photos through the Samsung cloud. However, local backups may have been saved on the phone - check the folder /storage/emulated/0/Samsung/Backups through the file manager.

4. Restoring through a file manager (hidden folders)

Sometimes photos are not completely deleted, but remain in hidden folders or system directories. This is relevant if you deleted pictures through third-party applications (for example, ES Explorer or Files by Google) or after resetting the settings.

Where to look:

  • 📁 Folder DCIM/.thumbnails —thumbnails of deleted photos can be stored here.
  • 📁 Folder Pictures/Screenshots —sometimes screenshots are duplicated.
  • 📁 Folder Android/data — here some applications (for example, instant messengers) store copies of sent photos.

How to enable the display of hidden files:

  1. Open File manager (for example, My file from Samsung).
  2. Click on the three dots → Settings → enable Show hidden files.
  3. Manually check the folders from the list above.

If you find files with the extension .nomedia rename them by removing this extension. For example, photo.jpg.nomedia → photo.jpg.

☑️ Search for hidden photos

Done: 0 / 5

5. apps for data recovery (without root)

If the previous methods did not work, it’s time to connect specialized utilities. They scan the phone's memory at the file system level and can find photos even if they were deleted a long time ago. Important: do not install apps on the Samsung Galaxy A5 itself —this may overwrite deleted data. Use a PC.

Top 3 recovery apps:

app Support Samsung Root required? Free version
DiskDigger Yes (including A5) No Limited scanning
Recuva Yes (via PC) No Full functionality
EaseUS MobiSaver Yes No File preview

Step-by-step guide for DiskDigger:

  1. 💻 Install DiskDigger on your computer (Windows/Mac).
  2. 📱 Connect Galaxy A5 via USB in File transfer (MTP) mode.
  3. 🔍 Start scanning (select Basic scan for photos).
  4. 🖼️ After completion, view the found files and save them on your PC.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone asks for permission for USB debugging, enable it in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging USB). Without this, apps will not be able to scan the memory.
💡

The sooner you start recovery through the app, the higher the chances of getting the photo back. Each new file saved to the phone (even messenger cache) can overwrite deleted data.

6. Deep scanning (with root access)

If photographs are critically important, and standard methods did not help, the only option left is deep scanning with obtaining root access. This is a risky method: it can lead to loss of the warranty or even the phone, but sometimes it is the only thing that saves you in hopeless situations. brick phone, but sometimes it’s the only thing that saves you in hopeless situations.

What you will need:

  • 🔧 Root access (for example, through Magisk or KingRoot).
  • 💻 app Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData (paid, but with a trial period).
  • 📶 Stable connection to the PC.

How to proceed:

  1. Get root access to Galaxy A5 (instructions depend on the model and version of Android - look for them on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA).
  2. Install Dr.Fone on your PC and connect your phone.
  3. Select mode Deep Scan (deep scanning).
  4. Wait for completion (may take several hours).
  5. Save the found photos to your computer.

Risks:

  • ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
  • ⚠️ The phone may malfunction after getting root.
  • ⚠️ Not all photos will be restored in original quality.
⚠️ Attention: On Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 and newer, protection may work Knox, which blocks some functions after getting root. Before the procedure, check whether you are using Samsung Pay or Secure Folder —they will stop working.

7. Alternative methods (if all else fails)

If all of the above methods do not work, do not despair. There are more. several unobvious options:

  • 🔄 Checking other devices: Perhaps the photos were sent via Bluetooth, Email or instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). Check your chat history.
  • 💽 Local backups: If you connected Galaxy A5 to a PC, check the autosave folders (for example, This is a computer → [Phone name] → Internal Storage → DCIM).
  • 📧 Letters and clouds: Check attachments in Gmail, Yandex Mail or other services - sometimes photos are sent to themselves.
  • 🛠️ Contacting the service center: If photographs are critical (for example, documents or single images), specialists can extract the data using professional equipment (for example Chip-Off). This is expensive, but sometimes the only way out.

If you are sure that the photos were on the phone, but cannot find them, try to remember:

  • 📅 When approximately were they deleted?
  • 📱 In what way (via gallery, file manager, reset settings)?
  • ☁️ Was cloud synchronization enabled?

These details will help narrow down your search.

💡

If the photos were taken on Galaxy A5but saved to an SD card, remove it and connect to another device via a card reader. Often the files remain on the card even after formatting (they can be recovered via Recuva or PhotoRec).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about photo recovery on the Samsung Galaxy A5

Is it possible to recover a photo if the phone does not turn on?

Yes, but it is more complicated. Options:

  • 🔌 Connect the phone to the PC - sometimes it is detected as a drive even without turning it on.
  • 🛠️ Remove the SD card (if there were photos on it) and scan it on another device.
  • 🔧 Contact a service center to extract data from the internal memory (the service is called Chip-Off).

If the phone is broken, but the screen responds to touches, try connecting it to a PC and controlling it via ADB (skills required).

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

The cost depends on the complexity:

  • 💵 Logical recovery (through apps): 1,500–5,000 ₽.
  • 💵 Physical extraction of data (from a broken phone): 5,000–20,000 ₽.
  • 💵 Recovery from a damaged phone memory chips: from 20,000 ₽.

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

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

There are chances, but they are lower:

  • ☁️ If synchronization with Google Photos or Samsung Cloud, photos can be returned from the cloud.
  • 💾 If the reset was done without formatting the internal memory (rare), try apps like DiskDigger.
  • ❌ If the reset was with full formatting (Wipe Data), recovery is almost impossible without a professional hardware.
Will apps like “Deleted Files” from the Play Market help?

Most of these applications are dummies or malicious software. They:

  • ❌ Do not have access to deep memory scanning.
  • ❌ Often require payment for the “full version”, which does not work.
  • ❌ May contain viruses or display ads.

Use only verified apps: DiskDigger, Recuva, Dr.Fone.

How to avoid losing photos in the future?

Prevention is always better than cure:

  • ☁️ Turn on auto-sync s Google Photos or OneDrive.
  • 💾 Regularly copy photos to PC or an external drive.
  • 📁 Use SD card to store pictures (but do not forget to make backup copies - cards also break).
  • 🔄 Before resetting the settings or updating the firmware be sure to save the data.