Introduction
Losing data from an Android device can be frustrating and upsetting. From lost or stolen devices to broken screens and water damage, there are many ways we can lose access to the information on our phones or tablets.
The good news is – with the right tools and techniques, recovering data from lost, stolen or broken Android devices is often possible these days. In this article, I will provide an overview of the most effective methods I can use this year to try and recover my data from lost, stolen or broken Android devices.
Backing Up Data Regularly
The best way to avoid data loss is to regularly back up my Android device. There are a few easy ways I can do this:
- Using Google’s built-in backup tools like Android Backup Service and Backup and Restore. This automatically saves my app data, WiFi passwords, call history etc.
- Connecting my phone to my computer and copying photos, videos and other files to another location using a USB cable.
- Using a cloud backup service like Google Drive or Dropbox to automatically sync files and photos.
I should back up my Android device every few weeks – this gives me a recent copy of my data if anything goes wrong.
Using Find My Device
If I lose my Android phone or tablet, the “Find My Device” app from Google is my first port of call.
I just need to:
- Make sure Find My Device is enabled on my phone before it goes missing.
- Use another device to log into android.com/find
- This allows me to locate, ring, lock or erase my device remotely.
This is incredibly useful if my device has been lost or stolen. I can see its last location on a map, make it ring loudly even on silent, lock it and display a custom message on the lock screen.
As a last resort, I can remotely wipe the data on my Android device – this removes all personal information in case it falls into the wrong hands.
Using Device Backup Files
If I can still access my Android device but the screen is cracked or it’s suffered water damage, I may be able to recover data using backup files stored on the device.
I should:
- Connect my damaged Android phone or tablet to my computer using a USB cable.
- Browse the internal storage and look in the /backup folder.
- Here I can find backup files and copies of various apps and data.
- Copy these backup files to my computer for safekeeping.
- I can then restore them to a new Android device.
This allows me to recover data and settings without having to root or unlock the damaged device.
Using Data Recovery Software
If my Android device is lost, stolen, broken and I haven’t backed up the data, my last resort is data recovery software.
Programs like FonePaw Android Data Recovery scan the internal memory of an Android device and allow me to extract photos, messages, contacts and other files.
The steps involve:
- Downloading the recovery software to my computer.
- Enabling USB debugging on the Android device.
- Connecting the Android device to my computer.
- Scanning the phone’s memory using the software.
- Selecting the data types I want to recover.
- Saving the extracted data onto my computer.
This method won’t work if the device is seriously damaged. But for minor issues, it can sometimes recover photos and other irreplaceable data.
Conclusion
Losing the data from my Android smartphone or tablet can be upsetting. However, with regular backups, remote locking tools and data recovery software, I can give myself the best possible chance of recovering or restoring lost information.
The key is being proactive – making backups regularly, enabling lock/wipe features beforehand and acting quickly if my device goes missing. With the right preparation and software tools, I can regain access to my precious photos, videos, messages and contacts – even if my Android device becomes lost, stolen or broken.
