Introduction
Resetting your device to factory settings can be a useful way to wipe your data and start with a clean slate. However, this process also deletes all of your personal files, photos, documents, and other data stored on the device. If you reset your device without properly backing up your files first, you may find yourself needing to recover lost files after a factory reset.
The good news is that with the right tools and techniques, I can often recover deleted files even after a factory reset. In this article, I will provide an in-depth guide on how to recover lost files after a factory reset in 2023.
Before Resetting – Back Up Important Data
The best way to avoid losing files during a factory reset is to properly back up your data beforehand. Here are some tips on backing up data before resetting:
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Back up to external storage – Copy important files to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, SD card, or cloud storage. This creates a safe copy of your data outside of your device.
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Sync data to cloud services – Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud allow you to continuously sync files. This provides an automatic cloud backup.
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Use backup software – Backup programs can create system images or file backups to external drives or cloud storage. Popular options include Apple Time Machine, File History, and third-party tools.
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Manually transfer files – For small amounts of files, you can manually copy them to a computer through a USB cable or SD card.
Backing up properly before a reset makes file recovery much easier. However, accidents happen and factory resets occur without backups. In these cases, recovery is still often possible if you act quickly and use the right methods.
After Factory Reset – Stop Using Device
Once you realize you’ve lost important files after a factory reset, the first thing to do is stop using the device immediately. This is critical, as continued usage can overwrite deleted files making them harder or impossible to recover.
Specifically:
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Don’t save or move anything to the device – This can overwrite deleted file data.
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Avoid using apps or services – App activity and cloud syncing can cause file overwrites.
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Don’t take photos or videos – The camera app will save new media files to storage.
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Don’t install software updates – System updates may modify disk contents.
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Don’t reset or reboot it again – Repeated resets multiply file overwrites.
Halting further usage preserves your device’s storage in its post-reset state, increasing the chances of file recovery.
Connect Device to a Computer
To recover lost files after a factory reset, you’ll need to connect the device to a computer where you can run data recovery software. Here are some tips:
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Use original cables – Connect your device to a computer using manufacturer-approved USB, Thunderbolt, or other cables. Avoid cheap third-party cords.
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Try different ports – If you have issues connecting, try different USB ports or hubs in case some are not working properly.
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Update computer USB drivers – Outdated USB drivers can prevent proper connectivity and file transfers.
Once connected, your computer should recognize your device, allowing recovery software to scan its storage for deleted files. If connection issues persist, recovery services can utilize specialized tools and hardware.
Run Data Recovery Software
The key to recovering lost files after a factory reset is using powerful data recovery software that can resurrect deleted data. Some top options include:
Disk Drill
- Easy to use interface and guides novice users
- Recovers 500+ file formats like documents, media, archives, etc.
- Scans internal and external drives
- Has a free trial so you can preview recoverable files
Recuva
- Free for home users
- Deep scan mode for more recovery success
- Secure overwrite to permanently delete files
- Support for virtual hard drives
Stellar Data Recovery
- Rated highly for Android file recovery
- Repairs corrupt photos and videos
- Preview files before recovery
- Clone drives for read-only recovery access
Look for recovery software with features like scanning formatted or corrupted drives, undeleting protected files, restoring different file types, and previewing found files.
Recover Files to Another Drive
For the best results, always save recovered files to a different drive than the one you performed the factory reset on.
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External hard drive – The best option. Provides ample capacity.
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USB flash drive – Smaller storage but very affordable.
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Cloud storage – Provides offsite backup of recovered files.
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Computer internal drive – Use if no other drives available.
Avoid saving recovered files back to the reset device, as this can cause file overwrites before you’ve gotten everything back.
Final Tips
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Act quickly after realization of data loss to avoid file overwrites.
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Handle reset devices carefully and don’t attempt further usage or resets.
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Utilize data recovery software as soon as possible for best results.
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Think ahead and back up important data before any factory reset.
With the right precautions and recovery tools, resurrecting lost files after a factory reset is often successful. Just be sure to stop further use of the device, connect it to a computer, run data recovery software, and save files externally. With some effort, you can get back those important personal files and memories.
