Accidentally deleting important screenshots from your Android phone can be a frustrating experience. Whether it’s a screenshot of an important document, a cherished memory, or an important piece of information, losing them can feel like a major setback. However, there are ways to recover deleted screenshots from your Android phone and regain those precious files. In this blog post, we will explore different methods and techniques to help you retrieve your deleted screenshots with ease.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before diving into the methods, there are a few things you will need before attempting to recover deleted screenshots from your Android phone.
1. A computer with an internet connection: You will need a computer to download the necessary software and tools required for the recovery process.
2. USB cable: This will be used to connect your Android phone to the computer. Ensure that the USB cable is in good condition to establish a stable connection.
3. Recovery Software: We will be using Android data recovery software to recover the deleted screenshots. There are various options available online, both free and paid. Choose a reliable and trusted software that suits your requirements.
What Requires Your Focus?
Recovering deleted screenshots from your Android phone requires your attention and focus on the following factors:
1. Time: The sooner you attempt the recovery process after deleting the screenshots, the higher the chances of successful retrieval. Avoid using your phone extensively or taking new screenshots to prevent overwriting the deleted data.
2. Compatibility: Ensure that the recovery software you choose is compatible with your Android phone model and the operating system version it is running.
3. Backup: If you have a backup of your Android phone, it is recommended to restore the backup to recover the deleted screenshots. However, note that this may result in the loss of any new data since the backup was created.
4. Storage Space: Make sure your Android phone has enough storage space to accommodate the recovered screenshots. It’s crucial to have sufficient space to avoid potential issues during the recovery process.
Now that you understand what’s needed and what requires your focus, let’s explore different methods to recover your deleted screenshots from an Android phone.
Method 1. How to Recover Deleted Screenshots via Android Data Recovery Software
If you have accidentally deleted screenshots from your Android phone, using Android data recovery software is one of the most effective methods to recover them. Follow the steps below to retrieve your deleted screenshots:
1. Connect your Android phone to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Launch the Android data recovery software on your computer.
3. Enable USB debugging on your Android phone. The method to enable USB debugging varies depending on the Android version and phone model. You can usually find this option under the "Developer Options" in the phone’s settings.
4. Once USB debugging is enabled, the software will detect your Android phone. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.
5. Select the file types you want to recover. In this case, choose "Screenshots" or "Pictures" as the file type to focus the recovery process on retrieving deleted screenshots.
6. Start the scanning process. The software will scan your Android phone’s internal storage for deleted screenshots.
7. Preview and select the deleted screenshots you want to recover from the scan results.
8. Click on the "Recover" button to retrieve the selected screenshots. Choose a location on your computer or external storage to save the recovered files.
9. Wait for the recovery process to complete. Once finished, you can access the recovered screenshots in the specified location.
Pros | Cons
—–|—–
1. Easy to use and straightforward process. | 1. Not all Android data recovery software guarantee a 100% success rate.
2. Option to selectively recover desired screenshots. | 2. Recovery may not be possible if the screenshots have been overwritten by new data.
3. Ability to recover other types of deleted data as well. | 3. Some software may require premium/paid versions for advanced features.
Method 2. How to Recover Deleted Screenshots Using Google Photos
If you have previously backed up your screenshots to Google Photos, you can easily recover them by following these steps:
1. Open the Google Photos app on your Android phone.
2. Tap on the three horizontal lines at the top left corner of the screen to open the menu.
3. Select "Trash" from the menu options. This will show you all the deleted photos and screenshots in Google Photos.
4. Browse through the list of deleted screenshots and select the ones you want to recover.
5. Tap on the "Restore" button to recover the selected screenshots. The recovered screenshots will be restored to their original location in Google Photos, and you can access them from there.
Pros | Cons
—–|—–
1. Quick and easy recovery process. | 1. Recovery is only possible if the screenshots were previously backed up to Google Photos.
2. No need for additional software or tools. | 2. Limited recovery options compared to dedicated data recovery software.
3. Ability to restore screenshots to their original location. |
Method 3. How to Recover Deleted Screenshots Using File Manager Apps
If you can access the file system of your Android phone through a file manager app, you might be able to recover deleted screenshots manually. Here’s how you can attempt this method:
1. Download a reliable file manager app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the file manager app and navigate to the "Internal Storage" or "SD Card" folder.
3. Look for a folder named "Pictures" or "Screenshots" and access it.
4. Within the folder, check if there are any deleted screenshots present. If you find any, select them and choose the "Restore" or "Move" option to recover them to a different folder.
5. If you cannot find the deleted screenshots in the "Pictures" or "Screenshots" folder, look for a folder named "DCIM" or "Photos" and repeat the process.
Pros | Cons
—–|—–
1. No need to rely on additional software. | 1. May not work if the deleted screenshots have been permanently erased from the file system.
2. Can be attempted without a computer. | 2. Requires manual search and recovery of deleted screenshots.
3. Gives direct control over the recovery process. |
Method 4. How to Recover Deleted Screenshots via Cloud Storage Services
If you have previously backed up your screenshots to a cloud storage service such as Google Drive or Dropbox, you can easily recover them by following these steps:
1. Open the respective cloud storage app on your Android phone.
2. Sign in to your account if required.
3. Navigate to the folder where the screenshots were backed up. This may vary depending on the service and your previous backup configuration.
4. Browse through the folder and locate the deleted screenshots.
5. Select the deleted screenshots and choose the "Download" or "Restore" option to recover them to your Android phone’s internal storage.
Pros | Cons
—–|—–
1. Easy access to previously backed up screenshots. | 1. Recovery is only possible if the screenshots were previously backed up to a cloud storage service.
2. No need for additional software or tools. | 2. Limited recovery options compared to dedicated data recovery software.
3. Option to restore screenshots to their original location. |
Why Can’t I Recover My Deleted Screenshots?
There can be several reasons why you may be facing difficulty in recovering deleted screenshots from your Android phone. Here are some possible reasons and their fixes:
1. Reason: Screenshots have been overwritten by new data.
Fix: Avoid using your Android phone extensively or taking new screenshots after realizing the screenshots are deleted. This reduces the chances of overwriting the deleted data and increases the chances of successful recovery.
2. Reason: No backup of the screenshots is available.
Fix: Going forward, make it a habit to regularly back up important files and screenshots to cloud storage services or other backup methods. This ensures that you have a copy of the screenshots even if they are accidentally deleted.
3. Reason: Incompatible or unreliable recovery software.
Fix: Choose a reliable and trusted Android data recovery software that is compatible with your phone model and the Android version it is running.
Implications and Recommendations
Based on the methods and techniques discussed, here are some recommendations and suggestions regarding recovering deleted screenshots from an Android phone:
1. Regularly back up your screenshots to cloud storage services or other backup methods to prevent permanent data loss in case of accidental deletion.
2. Avoid using your Android phone extensively or taking new screenshots immediately after realizing the screenshots are deleted, as this increases the chances of overwriting the deleted data.
3. Choose a reliable and trusted Android data recovery software if you opt for the recovery method using such software. Read reviews, compare features, and select the one that best fits your requirements.
5 FAQs about Recovering Deleted Screenshots from Android Phone
Q1: Is it possible to recover deleted screenshots from a factory reset Android phone?
A: Unfortunately, the chances of recovering deleted screenshots from a factory reset Android phone are very slim. A factory reset erases all data from the phone’s internal storage, making it difficult or impossible to retrieve deleted files.
Q2: Can I recover deleted screenshots from an Android phone without a computer?
A: Yes, you can attempt to recover deleted screenshots from an Android phone without a computer by using file manager apps or cloud storage services. These methods allow you to access the file system directly from your phone and restore the deleted screenshots.
Q3: Are all Android data recovery software reliable and safe?
A: Not all Android data recovery software available online are reliable and safe. It is essential to choose a trusted and reputable software from reputable sources to avoid malware or data breach risks. Read reviews and do thorough research before selecting a software.
Q4: Can I recover screenshots that were deleted a long time ago?
A: The chances of recovering screenshots that were deleted a long time ago decrease significantly. The longer the time gap between deletion and recovery attempts, the higher the chances of the data being overwritten.
Q5: Can I recover screenshots if my Android phone is not rooted?
A: Yes, you can recover deleted screenshots from an Android phone without rooting it. Most Android data recovery software offers non-root options that allow you to recover deleted data even without rooting your phone.
Final Words
Losing important screenshots from your Android phone can be distressing, but with the right methods and tools, you can recover them successfully. Remember to act promptly, choose reliable software, and regularly back up your screenshots to avoid permanent data loss. By following the steps and recommendations outlined in this blog post, you can increase your chances of recovering deleted screenshots and regain those valuable files once again.