​How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Files on Your Smartphone

We've all been there. In the rush of the moment, we accidentally hit 'delete' on a treasured photo or an important document on our smartphones. Before you despair, there's good news: there are methods to retrieve lost data, whether you're using an iOS or Android device. Here's a step-by-step guide to recovering those precious files.

1. Check Your 'Trash' or 'Recently Deleted' Folder

For iOS Users:

Apple devices come with a safety net for your photos. If you accidentally delete a picture, it goes to the 'Recently

Deleted' album in your Photos app. It'll stay there for 30 days before being permanently deleted.

Steps:

• Open the Photos app.
• Scroll down and select 'Recently Deleted.'
• Choose the photos you want to recover and tap 'Recover.'

For Android Users:

Some Android phones, like those from Samsung or Google, have a similar feature.

Steps:

• Open the Gallery or Photos app.
• Navigate to the 'Trash' or 'Bin' section.
• Select the files you wish to restore.

2. Use Cloud Backups

For iOS Users:

If you've enabled iCloud for photos and documents, there's a high chance you can retrieve your files from there.

Steps:

• Go to the 'Settings' app.
• Tap on [your name] at the top, then 'iCloud.'
• Navigate to 'Photos' or the relevant app.
• Ensure 'iCloud Photos' is enabled. If so, you can access your photos from any device signed in with the same Apple ID.

For Android Users:

Google Photos offers unlimited storage (in high quality) for your photos and videos.

Steps:

• Open the Google Photos app.
• Look for the photo or video. If it's there, it means it's backed up.
• To download it, simply tap on the file and save it to your device.

3. Third-party Recovery Tools

There are various software options available that claim to recover lost data. Here are the general steps:

• Connect your phone to a computer.
• Enable USB debugging on your smartphone.
• Launch the recovery software on your computer.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Note: Always research and choose reputable software. Some options might not be safe and could compromise your data.

4. Seek Professional Help

If the methods above don't yield results, and the data is extremely important, consider seeking help from professionals who specialise in data recovery. It might be costlier, but they have advanced tools and expertise.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

While there are ways to recover lost files, it's always best to prevent data loss in the first place.

Regular Backups: Schedule automatic backups to cloud services or external drives.

Be Careful: Before deleting, always double-check the files you're about to remove.

Use Protective Software: Invest in good antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your data from potential threats.

Conclusion

Accidentally deleting files on your smartphone is a distressing experience, but there are several avenues to potentially recover your data. Remember to regularly back up your files to avoid future heartaches and ensure you're always in control of your digital memories and important documents.