How To Recover Lost Data From An Android Phone (2025)

Losing data on an Android phone can be frustrating, but it’s a common experience. Whether it’s due to accidental deletion, software corruption, or hardware failure, there are effective methods available to help you recover lost data.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step processes on how to recover lost data from Android phone Google Backup, Google Photos, and advanced data recovery software. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of various data recovery methods for Android. Let’s dive into this article:

Quick Answer for Data Recovery Methods on Android

For a quick overview, here are the data recovery methods covered in this article:

Recover from Google Backup: Retrieve contacts, call logs, app data, and settings if previously backed up to Google.
Use Android Data Recovery Software: For data that wasn’t backed up, software like UltData offers advanced recovery options.
Recover from Google Photos: Access images and videos that were automatically synced.

Method 1: Recover Data from Google Backup

Google Backup is one of the most straightforward ways to retrieve data on Android. This service automatically saves information like contacts, app data, device settings, and media to your Google account if backups were previously enabled. Here the steps to learn how to recover lost data from Android phone:

Steps to Recover Data from Google Backup

Step 1: Open your device’s Settings app.

Step 2: Choose Google and then tap on Backup.

Step 3: If this is your first time Turn on Back up your device with Google One and heed any on-screen instructions.

Step 4: Choose the data you want to back up, such as Photos & videos or Device data.

Step 5: Tap Back up now to start the backup process.

Step 6: Wait for the backup to complete. It may take up to 24 hours to complete and, you’ll see “On” displayed below the data types you selected.

Limitations of Google Backup Recovery

Requires Prior Backup: This method only works if data was backed up before it was lost.
Partial Coverage: Google Backup may not cover certain types of files like SMS messages or specific app data unless they were synced.

Method 2: Retrieve Lost Data Using Android Data Recovery Software

Losing important data from your Android device can be frustrating, but Tenorshare UltData for Android makes recovery simple and stress-free. This powerful tool can retrieve lost photos, WhatsApp messages, contacts, and more from any Android device, regardless of the cause. Whether it’s due to accidental deletion, system errors, or physical damage, UltData ensures you get your data back swiftly. With its easy-to-use interface and high success rate, recovering your valuable files has never been easier.

Key Features of UltData for Android:

Recover Deleted Photos & WhatsApp Data: Easily retrieve lost or deleted photos, contacts, and WhatsApp messages.
Preview before Recovery: Scan your device and preview lost data to selectively recover what you need.
Comprehensive Device Support: Compatible with all Android brands, including Samsung, Huawei, Motorola, and more.
No Root Required for WhatsApp Recovery: Download cloud backups and extract WhatsApp chat history, photos, and videos.
Free to Download: Available for both Windows and Mac systems, supporting various versions including Windows 11 and macOS.

Steps to Use UltData for Data Recovery

Step 1: Download and install UltData for Android on your phone. Once installed, open the app and you can see the multiples options to recover like data, Whattsap message recover or app. Click on anywhere you want to recover

Step 2: On the main interface click Photos to view the images. Start the scan to see the list of recoverable files. It will display the banner to show you how many files are

Step 3: Select all to recover all your files or you can choose which files you like to recover. Your files will be successfully recovered.

Method 3: Use Google Photos to Recover Lost Images and Videos

You can restore recently deleted photos and videos from your trash, as long as they haven’t been permanently deleted.

Photos and videos backed up will stay in your trash for 60 days.
Photos and videos not backed up stay in the trash for 30 days.

If you’re missing any photos or videos, be sure to check the trash. For better protection, consider turning on backups.

Check Your Archive

If the missing item was archived, you can unarchive it to make it visible again in your Google Photos library.

Check Your Trash

If the missing photo or video is in the trash, you can restore it. However, if it’s not in the trash, it may have been permanently deleted.

Steps to Recover Images and Videos from Google Photos

Step 1: Navigate to the Google Photos app on your Android device.

Step 2: At the bottom, tap Library and then select Trash.

Step 3: In this steps Press and hold the photo or video you like to restore.

Step 4: If the photo or video isn’t in your trash, it may have been permanently deleted.

Step 5: Tap Restore at the bottom. Your photo or video will be recovered to:

The albums it was in
Your Google Photos library
Your phone’s gallery app

Additional Tips for Google Photos

To prevent future photo loss, ensure that Backup & Sync is enabled in Google Photos. This feature automatically syncs your photos to the cloud, providing a secure backup in case of data loss.

Restoring Files from Google Drive (for Other Documents)

For files other than photos and videos, such as PDFs, documents, or spreadsheets, you can also recover them from Google Drive. Follow these steps to learn how to recover lost data from Android phone:

Step 1: Go to drive.google.com.

Step 2: On the display navigate to left sidebar, tap Trash.

Step 3: All your deleted files will be listed in the Trash folder.

Step 4: To check when files were counted to Trash, sort files by the Trashed date.

Step 5: To recover a file, right-click on the file you like to recover.

Step 6: Click Restore to move the file back to its original location.

Tips for Preventing Future Data Loss on Android Devices

Data loss can often be avoided by adopting a few proactive strategies. Here are tips to keep your Android data safe:

Enable Regular Backups: Regularly back up your device using Google Drive or another cloud service. Enable the automatic backup option to ensure data is routinely saved.
Use Reliable Storage: If you use an SD card, choose one from a reputable brand and format it periodically to reduce the risk of corruption.
Avoid Risky Third-Party Apps: Third-party apps from untrusted sources can sometimes cause data issues. Only download apps from reputable developers and the official Google Play Store.
Keep Your Device Updated: Software updates often include security patches and performance improvements that can help protect your data.

FAQs About Recovering Lost Files from an Android Phone

1. Can I Recover Data from a Broken or Unresponsive Android Phone?

Yes, recovery from a broken or unresponsive device is possible with professional data recovery tools like UltData. Many tools offer a solution that can scan your phone and retrieve data directly from the device’s internal storage, even if the screen is damaged.

2. How Can I Recover Data from a Locked Android Device?

Recovering data from a locked device is achievable, but may require enabling USB debugging or using a recovery tool. If you’re unable to unlock the phone, some tools offer features to bypass the lock screen for data recovery.

3. Can I Recover Android Data After a Factory Reset?

After the factory settings are restored, none of the Android data recovery tools on the market can help recover the data.

Final Words

In conclusion, you have learned how to recover lost data from Android phone and it is quite difficult reach lost data on an Android device. While Google’s backup services can restore some files, a powerful tool like Tenorshare UltData for Andriod offers a more comprehensive solution for recovering a wide range of data, including photos, videos, messages, and more. For reliable and efficient recovery, UltData is an excellent choice, whether you’re restoring files on a PC or directly on your device with its mobile app version.