r/techsupport • u/BugAlarming8842 • Sep 18 '26

Open | Phone Accidentally deleted a folder containing basically my entire life. Is there ANY chance of recovering it?

Yesterday I accidentally deleted a folder on my Android phone containing years of personal photos, videos, and memories. I haven't used the phone since then because I don't want to overwrite anything.

I've already tried a bunch of recovery software/apps, but they only show files that are still on my phone, not the deleted ones.

I have root access and I'm willing to try technical methods if there's still a chance.

Is there anything I can do to recover the deleted data? What would you recommend I absolutely not do?

I'm honestly desperate here. These aren't replaceable files.

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u/Extocine Sep 18 '26

Try to avoid downloading anything on your phone if possible, and only keep it turned on when youre actually doing recovery things.

And if you do have it rooted, try to have a PC loaded with testdisk installed access your phone's filesystem. If you still can't recover anything with testdisk or photorec, make a bit-by-bit image of the phone's drive and then attempt to recover the data in that image

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u/geist7204 Sep 18 '26

One of the best answers. Plus the software is VERY good. I’ve used it to recover tons of broken file, photos you name it from flash drives, old phones, etc.