How To Get Back Lost Files After a Factory Reset in 2024

Introduction

I made the decision to perform a factory reset on my device to try and improve performance. However, soon after doing so I realized there were important files and data that I still needed from the device. Losing personal files and information after a reset can be devastating, but there are ways to try and recover lost data. In this article, I will provide an extensive, in-depth guide on the various methods and software solutions to retrieve lost files and data after a factory reset in 2024.

Back Up Data Before Reset

The best way to avoid permanently losing files during a reset is to properly back up all important data beforehand. There are several options to back up data:

• Cloud services – Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud etc can be used to backup photos, videos, documents and other files.

• External drive – An external hard drive or USB flash drive can store backup copies of all files on your device.

• PC/Mac – Connect the device to a computer and copy the files over to store them safely.

Backing up key data removes the risk of losing files, and provides a copy that can be restored later if needed. Be sure to fully complete the backup before reset.

Scan Device Before Reset

Before factory resetting your device, use a file recovery or scanning software to see what data resides on the internal memory or SD card.

Some good scanning tools include:

• Recuva – Scans the device memory and displays files that can be recovered.

• EaseUS – Identifies lost and deleted files on Android devices or SD cards.

• Disk Drill – Scans internal and external memory for lost data.

Scanning the device before reset will help identify what kinds of files need to be recovered later.

Use File Recovery Software

The most effective method for retrieving lost files after a factory reset is using data recovery software. Specialized file recovery programs scan the device memory and retrieve deleted data.

Some top file recovery apps:

• Stellar Data Recovery – Recovers lost documents, audio, video and more from Android devices.

• EaseUS Android Data Recovery – Retrieves a wide variety of lost files.

• Disk Drill – Recovers lost data from internal memory or SD card.

Follow these general steps when using file recovery apps:

1. Download and install the recovery app on a computer.

2. Connect Android device to computer via USB. May require USB debugging enabled.

3. Scan device storage for recoverable files.

4. Preview found files and select those to recover.

5. Restore selected data to a safe storage location on the computer.

File recovery software provides the most reliable way to get back lost files and information after a factory reset.

Try Manual File Digging

Some files may be recovered manually by exploring the internal device storage or SD card directly. This requires root access on Android.

Steps for manual file recovery:

• Enable USB debugging and connect device to computer.

• On computer open a file explorer window for connected device storage.

• Navigate to the /data/data/ folder. Apps store files here.

• Search .jpg, .png, .mp3 and other known file extensions.

• Copy found files back to the computer for recovery.

Manual digging like this can uncover files that recovery apps missed. But it requires time and technical knowledge.

Contact App Developers

For app-specific data, like messages, notes or game progress, contacting the app developer directly may help.

• Many apps backup some user data remotely.

• Developers may be able to restore app-specific data that was lost.

• Provide them details on app version, lost data type, device info.

App developers want to help recover user data whenever possible, just reach out!

Use Google Account Sync

Android devices signed into Google sync some data like contacts, chrome bookmarks and apps to the cloud.

After reset go to Settings > Accounts > Google and sign in to sync this data back to the device.

Review each synced app’s dashboard for which data can be restored.

Don’t Overwrite Existing Data

When utilizing the methods above, avoid restoring data back to the reset device right away.

Write recovered files temporarily to a computer first. Then copy back selectively, to avoid overwriting existing data on the device.

Conclusion

• Back up key data before a factory reset.
• Use file recovery apps to scan device and restore lost files after reset.
• Try manual searching through internal storage folders.
• Contact app developers about restoring app-specific data.
• Sync Google account to pull backup data from cloud.
• Don’t immediately overwrite device data with recovered files.

Thoroughly exploring these options makes it possible to recover lost files, photos, app data and more after a factory reset. Follow the steps in this guide and you can get back most lost data. Just don’t reset the device again before recovering the files!