Losing precious videos on your Android device can be a devastating experience, especially if they hold sentimental value. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a wedding ceremony, or a heartwarming moment with loved ones, the thought of those memories being lost forever can be unbearable. Fortunately, there’s still hope to recover permanently deleted videos from your Android device without breaking the bank.
Understanding How Android Devices Store Data
Before we dive into the recovery process, it’s essential to understand how Android devices store data. When you delete a video or any file on your Android device, it’s not entirely erased from the storage. Instead, the operating system merely marks the space occupied by the file as available for reuse. The actual data remains intact until it’s overwritten by new files.
This concept is crucial for recovery, as it means that even after deletion, the original data can still be recovered if you act quickly and use the right tools. The key is to avoid overwriting the deleted files by minimizing your device’s usage until you’ve attempted recovery.
Method 1: Check the Trash or Recently Deleted Folder
The first step in recovering deleted videos is to check the Trash or Recently Deleted folder on your Android device. Some devices, especially those with custom skins like Samsung’s One UI or OnePlus’s OxygenOS, have a built-in Trash or Recently Deleted folder that temporarily holds deleted files for a specified period.
Checking the Trash Folder on Stock Android
If you’re using a stock Android device, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Files app.
- Tap on the “Menu” icon (three horizontal lines) on the top left corner.
- Select “Trash” from the menu.
- Look for the deleted video you want to recover.
- If you find it, simply tap on the “Restore” button to move it back to its original location.
Checking the Recently Deleted Folder on Samsung Devices
For Samsung devices running One UI, follow these steps:
- Open the “Gallery” app.
- Tap on the ” Albums” tab.
- Scroll down and select “Trash.”
- Look for the deleted video you want to recover.
- If you find it, simply tap on the “Restore” button to move it back to its original location.
Method 2: Use a Third-Party Recovery App
If the Trash or Recently Deleted folder doesn’t yield the desired results, it’s time to resort to third-party recovery apps. These apps scan your device’s storage for deleted files and attempt to recover them. While there are many recovery apps available on the Google Play Store, not all of them are free, and some may require root access. Here are a few free options that don’t require root access:
DiskDigger Photo Recovery
DiskDigger Photo Recovery is a popular and highly-rated app that can recover deleted videos, photos, and other files from your Android device’s internal storage and SD card.
- Download and install DiskDigger Photo Recovery from the Google Play Store.
- Launch the app and grant it the necessary permissions.
- Select the storage location you want to scan (Internal Storage or SD Card).
- Tap on the “Scan” button to start the recovery process.
- Wait for the app to complete the scan, which may take some time depending on the storage size.
- Once the scan is complete, browse through the recovered files and select the video you want to restore.
- Tap on the “Recover” button to save the video to your device’s storage.
Undeleter Recover Files & Data
Undeleter Recover Files & Data is another reliable app that can recover deleted videos, as well as other file types, from your Android device.
- Download and install Undeleter Recover Files & Data from the Google Play Store.
- Launch the app and grant it the necessary permissions.
- Select the storage location you want to scan (Internal Storage or SD Card).
- Tap on the “Scan” button to start the recovery process.
- Wait for the app to complete the scan, which may take some time depending on the storage size.
- Once the scan is complete, browse through the recovered files and select the video you want to restore.
- Tap on the “Restore” button to save the video to your device’s storage.
Method 3: Use a Computer-Based Recovery Tool
If the above methods don’t work, you can try using a computer-based recovery tool. These tools are often more powerful than mobile apps and can recover deleted files from your Android device when connected to a computer.
Recuva
Recuva is a free recovery tool from Piriform, the makers of CCleaner. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Download and install Recuva from the official website.
- Launch Recuva and select the type of file you want to recover (in this case, videos).
- Connect your Android device to the computer using a USB cable. Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your device.
- Select the device from the Recuva interface and click “Scan.”
- Wait for the scan to complete, which may take some time depending on the storage size.
- Once the scan is complete, browse through the recovered files and select the video you want to restore.
- Click the “Recover” button to save the video to your computer.
Preventing Data Loss in the Future
Losing precious videos can be a traumatic experience, but it’s essential to take proactive measures to prevent data loss in the future. Here are some tips to help you safeguard your videos:
Regularly Back Up Your Data
Regular backups can ensure that your videos are safe even if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged. You can use Google Drive, Google Photos, or other cloud storage services to back up your videos.
Use a Reliable Storage Device
Invest in a reliable external storage device, such as a portable hard drive or a high-capacity microSD card, to store your videos. This will provide an additional layer of protection against data loss.
Avoid Overwriting Deleted Files
As mentioned earlier, avoid overwriting deleted files by minimizing your device’s usage until you’ve attempted recovery. This will increase the chances of successfully recovering deleted videos.
Conclusion
Recovering permanently deleted videos from your Android device requires a combination of luck, the right tools, and a thorough understanding of how Android devices store data. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can increase the chances of recovering your lost videos without spending a fortune. Remember to take proactive measures to prevent data loss in the future by regularly backing up your data and using reliable storage devices.
Can I recover permanently deleted videos from my Android device?
Yes, it is possible to recover permanently deleted videos from your Android device. When you delete a video, it’s not immediately removed from your device’s storage. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as available for new data. This means that the video remains on your device until it’s overwritten by new data. By using the right tools and techniques, you can recover deleted videos from your Android device.
However, it’s essential to act quickly when you want to recover deleted videos. The longer you wait, the higher the chances of the deleted videos being overwritten by new data. Additionally, make sure to avoid using your device until you’ve recovered the deleted videos to prevent any new data from being written over the deleted files.
Do I need to root my Android device to recover deleted videos?
No, you don’t necessarily need to root your Android device to recover deleted videos. While rooting can provide greater access to your device’s file system, it’s not a requirement for video recovery. There are several video recovery tools and apps that can recover deleted videos without requiring root access.
That being said, rooting your device can increase the chances of successful video recovery. By gaining root access, you can deeply scan your device’s file system and recover deleted videos that may not be accessible otherwise. However, rooting can also void your device’s warranty, so it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before deciding to root your device.
What are the best tools and apps to recover deleted videos?
There are several excellent tools and apps that can help you recover deleted videos from your Android device. Some popular options include EaseUS MobiSaver, DiskDigger, and Recuva. These tools can scan your device’s storage, identify deleted videos, and recover them to a safe location.
When choosing a video recovery tool, make sure to select one that is compatible with your Android device and has a good success rate in recovering deleted videos. Also, be cautious of fake or malicious apps that may claim to recover deleted videos but can actually harm your device. Always read reviews, check the app’s ratings, and download from reputable sources.
Can I recover deleted videos from an SD card?
Yes, you can recover deleted videos from an SD card. SD cards use a file system that can be scanned and analyzed to recover deleted files, including videos. By using a video recovery tool that supports SD card recovery, you can connect your SD card to your computer and scan it for deleted videos.
When recovering deleted videos from an SD card, make sure to handle the card with care to avoid damaging it. Also, avoid using the SD card until you’ve recovered the deleted videos to prevent any new data from being written over the deleted files.
How long does it take to recover deleted videos?
The time it takes to recover deleted videos depends on several factors, including the size of your device’s storage, the number of deleted videos, and the speed of your computer or recovery tool. Generally, the recovery process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
To speed up the recovery process, make sure to use a fast computer or recovery tool, and avoid interrupting the recovery process. You should also ensure that your device is properly connected to your computer and that the recovery tool has sufficient privileges to access your device’s storage.
Are there any risks associated with recovering deleted videos?
Yes, there are some risks associated with recovering deleted videos. When you use a video recovery tool, it may overwrite existing data on your device, causing further data loss. Additionally, if you’re not careful, you may end up installing malware or virus-infected apps that can harm your device.
To minimize the risks, make sure to download recovery tools from reputable sources, read user reviews and ratings, and follow the tool’s instructions carefully. Also, always create a backup of your important data before attempting to recover deleted videos.
Can I recover deleted videos from a formatted Android device?
Recovering deleted videos from a formatted Android device is more challenging than recovering from a non-formatted device. When you format your device, it wipes out all the data, including deleted files. However, if you act quickly and use specialized tools, you may still be able to recover some or all of the deleted videos.
The key to recovering deleted videos from a formatted device is to use a tool that can deeply scan the device’s storage and identify remaining fragments of deleted files. This process can be time-consuming and may not always yield positive results. However, it’s worth a try, especially if the deleted videos are crucial to you.