How to Recover Deleted Files on Android Using a PC – Complete 2026 Guide

recover deleted files on android using pc step by step 2026
Recover deleted files from Android using a PC with powerful recovery tools in 2026

Accidental deletion of files, including Photos, Videos, and documents, on Android mobile devices is very stressful. This article is for global users; anyone from anywhere in the world can use this guide. Here you can recover deleted files on Android using a PC, even if you do not have a backup.

In this article, you will get a detailed guide about

  • How is file recovery done in Android?

  • The best way to recover files is to use software.

  • How to restore WhatsApp, photos, videos, and documents

  • Steps to follow after a factory reset.

  • Future data loss prevention methods.

Beginners can also explore the complete Android data recovery guide for a full overview.

Android Files Recovery Using a PC Is More Effective

Countless Android apps promise to recover your deleted data, but the reality is often a letdown. Instead of bringing back your precious files, most of them only manage to retrieve cached thumbnails. Don't get your hopes up; let us dive deeper into what really works for data recovery. PC based recovery is significantly more powerful, and this is why professional recovery centers always use PC tools instead of mobile apps.

  • A computer can perform deep-level scans.

  • It can access hidden partitions.

  • It allows you to save recovered files safely without overwriting the phone memory.y


How To Still Recover Deleted Files On Android

Have you ever experienced the sinking feeling of accidentally deleting a file on your Android device, only to believe it was lost forever? Fear not, there’s an intriguing twist to this tale: many deleted files are not truly gone, and with the right knowledge, you can bring them back from the digital abyss. Join me as we explore the captivating process of data recovery and unlock the secrets to reclaiming your precious files like a true tech wizard.

About the Author

This article is written by B. Mohamed Haroon, a tech blogger and digital troubleshooting specialist with hands-on experience in Android system recovery, PC diagnostics, and mobile data protection. He regularly publishes in-depth guides on Android data recovery, Windows troubleshooting, digital privacy, and software solutions.

Content Accuracy & Trust Notice

All methods shared in this guide are tested using real Android devices, based on officially available recovery tools and Google backup systems, and updated for Android recovery methods in 2026. This article does not promote hacking, spyware, or illegal access.

When you delete a file:

  • The system removes only the file reference

  • The actual data remains in storage temporarily

  • It is marked as free space

  • The file stays recoverable until overwritten

Important Recovery Precautions Before Starting

Follow these steps before starting recovery:

  • Enable USB debugging on Android

  • Keep your battery charged

  • Use the original USB cable

  • Do not reset your phone again

  • Do not install new apps after data loss

You may also want to review our Android developer options guide before proceeding.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Files on Android Using PC Software

Recover deleted files on Android using PC software deep scan recovery tool
Recover deleted Android files using powerful PC recovery software with deep scan technology.

This is the most reliable method and works on almost all Android phones.

Best Android Data Recovery Software for PC:

  • EaseUS

  • Dr.Fone Android Recovery

  • Tenorshare

  • iMobie

You can compare all tools in our best Android data recovery software list.

Step-by-Step Recovery Process

Step 1: Install Recovery Software on Your PC

Download from the official website only. Avoid cracked versions.

Step 2: Connect the Android Phone to the PC

Follow our detailed guide on how to connect an Android phone to a PC properly.

Step 3: Enable USB Debugging

Go to Settings, then click Developer Options, click USB Debugging, and  ON

Step 4: Start Deep Scan

Select:

  • Scan Internal Storage, or

  • Scan SD Card

Learn more in our guide on Android deep scan recovery explained.

Step 5: Preview Deleted Files

Most tools allow you to preview deleted Android files before restoring

Step 6: Restore Files to PC

Always restore files to your computer first

Method 2: Recover Deleted Files from Android SD Card Using PC

Recover deleted files from Android SD card using PC memory card recovery
Recover deleted photos and videos from an Android SD card using PC recovery tools.

If your files were stored on an SD card, recovery is easier.

Steps:

  1. Remove the SD card from the phone

  2. Insert into the PC using a reader

  3. Use Recuva, Disk Drill, or PhotoRec

  4. Scan, then Preview and  Recover

Follow the step-by-step method here:

Method 3: Recover Deleted Android Files Using Google Backup

Recover deleted Android files using Google backup and Google Drive restore
Recover deleted Android files easily from Google Drive and Google Photos backup.p


If Google Backup is enabled, recovery is very easy.

Google Photos Recovery

Photos stay in Trash for 30–60 days
Official help:

Google Drive Recovery

Files remain in the trash for 30 days
Official help:

Method 4: Recover Deleted WhatsApp Data on Android Using PC

Recover deleted WhatsApp data on Android using PC WhatsApp recovery software
Recover deleted WhatsApp chats, photos, and videos on Android using PCsoftwarea.re


WhatsApp chats and media can be recovered in two ways:

Local Backup Method

Android → Media → com.whatsapp → Databases

Full guide here:

PC Recovery Software for WhatsApp

Best PC recovery software for WhatsApp chat, photo and video recovery
Best PC recovery software tools for restoring deleted WhatsApp chats and media


Dr.Fone and UltData support:

  • Chat messages

  • Voice notes

  • Photos & Videos

  • Documents

WhatsApp official help:

Method 5: Recover Android Data After Factory Reset Using PC

Recover Android data after factory reset using PC deep scan recovery software
Recover lost Android data after a factory reset using deep scan PC recovery tools.


Recovery after a reset is possible using deep-scan tools.

Supported recovery:

  • Internal memory

  • App storage

  • Cached partitions

Step-by-step guide:

File Types You Can Recover Using a PC

You can restore:

  • Photos (JPG, PNG, RAW)

  • Videos (MP4, MKV, AVI)

  • Audio (MP3, WAV)

  • Documents (PDF, DOCX, ZIP)

  • WhatsApp & Messenger Data

  • Contacts, Call Logs, SMS

Complete list:
What file types can be recovered on Android

How Long Does Android File Recovery Take?

  • Basic Scan: 5–15 minutes

  • Deep Scan: 30–120 minutes

  • Large Storage (256GB–1TB): Up to 3 hours



How long does Android file recovery take using PC quick scan and deep scan
Estimated time required for Android data recovery using the quick scan and deep scan methods

Why Some Deleted Android Files Cannot Be Recovered.

Recovery may fail if:

  • New files overwrote old memory

  • The phone was reset and heavily used afterward

  • Storage is fully encrypted

Detailed breakdown:
Why can some deleted files not be recovered

Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss

Conclusion

Recovering deleted files from your Android device using a PC is entirely within your reach in 2026. If you act decisively and leverage the right tools, you can successfully retrieve lost photos, videos, documents, and WhatsApp chats. This guide provides effective methods that work flawlessly on top brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme, Motorola, and Pixel.

By following this comprehensive guide and implementing robust backup strategies, you’ll not only safeguard your important files but also confidently prevent permanent data loss. Take charge of your data recovery journey now; your memories and vital information deserve it.

Frequently Asked Questions – 2026

1. Can I recover permanently deleted files from Android using a PC?

    Yes, you can recover permanently deleted files from Android using a. A deep-scan recovery tool gives the highest success rate.

2. Is it possible to recover deleted files without rooting Android?

    Yes. Many PC-based Android recovery tools can restore photos, videos, and documents without rooting.

3. What is the best software to recover deleted files from Android using a PC?

    Some of the most trusted tools in 2026 include:

  • EaseUS MobiSaver for Android

  • Dr.Fone Android Data Recovery

  • Tenorshare UltData

  • iMobie PhoneRescue

All of these support Android 14 and Android 15.

4. Can I recover deleted WhatsApp chats using a computer?

    Yes. You can recover deleted WhatsApp chats using:

  • Local WhatsApp backup stored on your phone

  • Google Drive backup

  • Dedicated PC recovery tools with WhatsApp scan support

This includes photos, videos, voice notes, and documents.

5. Can I recover files after a factory reset on Android?

    Yes, file recovery after a factory reset is possible using deep-scan tools, but success depends on:

  • Time passed after the reset

  • Amount of new data written

  • Storage encryption level

Recovery chances reduce if the phone is heavily used after resetting.

6. How long does Android data recovery using a PC take?

    Recovery time depends on storage size:

  • Quick scan: 5–15 minutes

  • Deep scan: 30–90 minutes

  • Large storage (256GB–1TB): Up to 2–3 hours

7. Can deleted SD card files be recovered easily?

    Yes. SD card recovery has one of the highest success rates because it does not use full encryption like internal storage. You simply insert the SD card into a PC and scan using recovery software.

8. Are Android recovery tools safe to use on my PC?

    Yes, as long as you download recovery tools only from official websites. Avoid cracked versions, as they may cause malware infections or data leaks.


Also Read


Editorial Policy

At TroubleshootHere, every article goes through manual research, real device testing, security validation, and SEO quality checks before being published.

Data Safety Disclaimer

File recovery success depends on time since deletion, phone usage after deletion, storage condition, and overwriting of memory blocks. We strongly recommend stopping phone usage immediately after data loss.

Last updated for Android recovery accuracy: January 2026.

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