📸 How to Recover Deleted Photos/Videos from Android (Even If They're a Year Old)
Losing precious photos or videos from your Android phone can be heartbreaking. Whether due to accidental deletion, factory reset, or a corrupted SD card, the good news is — recovery is possible, even if the files were deleted months or even a year ago.
This ultimate guide will show you how to recover deleted media from Android devices using both free and premium tools, along with expert tips to boost your recovery chances.
🧨 Why Photos & Videos Get Deleted
Understanding the cause helps you choose the best recovery strategy. Common reasons include:
- Accidental deletion from the gallery or file manager
- Factory reset without backup
- SD card corruption
- Malware or virus attacks
- System crashes or updates
- App cache clearing
⏳ Can You Recover Deleted Files After a Year?
Yes — under the right conditions.
Deleted files remain in storage until they're overwritten by new data. The more time passes, the lower the chance of full recovery. However, using advanced tools, even year-old files may be retrievable.
🎯 What Affects Recovery Success?
- Time elapsed since deletion
- Storage type (internal vs. SD card)
- Root access (needed for deep scans)
- Backup availability (e.g., Google Photos or cloud storage)
🔧 Best Ways to Recover Deleted Photos/Videos on Android
Here are the most effective recovery methods:
✅ 1. Restore from Google Photos Trash
If you had sync enabled, you can recover from Trash within 60 days.
Steps:
- Open Google Photos
- Go to Library > Trash
- Select items and tap Restore
❗ Photos in Trash are deleted permanently after 60 days.
✅ 2. Check Google Drive
If you uploaded files manually, search your Google Drive.
Steps:
- Open Google Drive
- Search or browse folders
- Download files if found
✅ 3. Use a Photo Recovery App (No Root)
These apps scan your storage for deleted photos/videos:
Top Apps:
Using DiskDigger:
- Install from Play Store
- Launch and grant permissions
- Choose Basic Scan (no root) or Full Scan (root)
- Recover and save files
✅ 4. Recover SD Card Files Using PC Software
If files were on an SD card, use a computer:
Best Recovery Software:
Steps:
- Connect SD card to PC
- Run the tool and scan
- Preview and recover files
✅ 5. Use Advanced Android Data Recovery Software
These premium tools offer deep recovery from internal memory:
Note: Most require USB debugging and root for full functionality.
🛠️ How to Enable USB Debugging
- Go to Settings > About Phone
- Tap Build Number 7 times
- Return to Settings > Developer Options
- Enable USB Debugging
📈 Tips to Boost Your Recovery Chances
- Stop using the device immediately
- Don’t install new apps or save files
- Use trusted tools ASAP
- Scan both internal and external storage
🔄 Backup Options to Avoid Future Loss
Cloud Backup:
- Google Photos – Auto-backup
- Google Drive – Files & folders
- Dropbox – Cross-device syncing
Local Backup:
- Use SD cards for media
- Transfer files to PC regularly
- Use Super Backup & Restore
📲 Best Apps for Android Photo/Video Backup
🧩 Optional: Rooting for Advanced Recovery
Rooting your device can give recovery tools deeper access.
⚠️ Warning:
- May void warranty
- Risk of bricking the phone
Rooting Tools:
🧪 Tool Comparison Table
| Tool | Root Needed | Free Version | Deep Scan | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DiskDigger | Optional | ✅ | ✅ | Quick scans |
| Dr.Fone | Yes | ❌ | ✅ | Full recovery |
| Recuva | No | ✅ | ✅ | SD card recovery |
| Tenorshare | Yes | ❌ | ✅ | Internal recovery |
| Dumpster | No | ✅ | ❌ | Recycle bin simulation |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I recover files deleted a year ago?
Yes, if the data hasn’t been overwritten. Use deep-scan tools like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare.
2. Do I need root access?
Not always. Some apps work without root, but full recovery tools usually need it.
3. Are recovery apps safe?
Most apps from the Play Store or official sites are safe. Avoid unofficial APKs.
4. Can I recover videos too?
Yes. Ensure the recovery app supports video formats like MP4, AVI, etc.
5. Can factory reset data be recovered?
Possibly, with root and advanced tools like FonePaw or iMobie PhoneRescue.
🧠Final Words
Losing media files doesn’t have to be permanent. Whether it's been a few minutes or a year, your photos and videos can often be recovered with the right tools and fast action. Always back up your files and act quickly after deletion.
🔗 Useful Resources
💡 Pro Tip: Join Android recovery communities or forums for app recommendations and troubleshooting help — but be cautious of unofficial sources.
✅ Download the Best Free Recovery App Now
👉 DiskDigger Photo Recovery on Google Play
Stay backed up, stay safe — and never lose a memory again.
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