How do I restore deleted files on my phone?

Restoring deleted files on your phone depends entirely on where they were stored and how recently you deleted them. The first and easiest places to check are the ‘Recently Deleted’ or ‘Bin’ folders within your Photos, Google Photos, or file manager apps. For other files, your best hope is to restore them from a recent cloud or computer backup you may have.

If your files have been permanently deleted and are not in any backup, professional data recovery might be your only option. For expert help, contact Mobile Phones Repair &Data Recovery by Square Dimension.

Where to Look First: The Easiest Recovery Methods

Most modern phones don’t permanently delete files right away. They hold them in a temporary location for about 30 days.

1. Restoring Deleted Photos and Videos

This is the most common type of file people need to recover.

• On an iPhone:
  1. Open the Photos app.
  2. Tap the Albums tab at the bottom.
  3. Scroll all the way down and tap on Recently Deleted.
  4. Tap Select, choose the photos or videos you want back, and tap Recover.
• On an Android Phone (e.g., Samsung):
  1. Open the Google Photos app (or your phone’s default Gallery app).
  2. Tap the Library tab at the bottom right.
  3. Tap on Bin (it may be called ‘Trash’ in other apps).
  4. Touch and hold the photo or video you want to restore, then tap Restore.

2. Restoring Other Deleted Files (Documents, Downloads)

Check the ‘Trash’ or ‘Bin’ folder in the app where the file was stored.

• Cloud Storage: Open Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive and look for a ‘Trash’ or ‘Bin’ section. Deleted files are often held there for 30 days.
• File Manager: Open your phone’s file manager app (like ‘Files’ on iPhone or ‘My Files’ on Samsung) and look for a ‘Recently Deleted’ or ‘Trash’ folder.

The Safety Net: Restoring from a Backup

If you can’t find the files in any trash folders, the next step is to use a backup.

Important Warning: Restoring your phone from a backup will erase everything currently on your device and replace it with the data from the backup file. Any new photos, messages, or app data since the backup was made will be lost.

• For iPhones, you can restore from an iCloud backup via the phone’s settings or from a backup on your computer using Finder or iTunes.
• For Android phones, you can restore data that was backed up to your Google Account or use the manufacturer’s software (like Samsung Smart Switch) to restore from a computer backup.

What if the Files Are Permanently Deleted?

If a file is not in any ‘Bin’ and is not in a backup, it is considered permanently deleted by your phone’s operating system. At this point, consumer-level software cannot get it back.

The only remaining option is professional data recovery. This is a specialised service where technicians use advanced hardware and software to attempt to retrieve data directly from the phone’s internal memory chip. This process is typically reserved for critical and irreplaceable data due to its complexity and cost.

If you have lost critical files and are in the Bentleigh or Melbourne area, we offer specialised data recovery services. Contact Mobile Phones Repair & Data Recovery by Square Dimension to discuss your options.