Performing a factory reset on an Android device clears all data, including photos, videos, documents, messages, and app data, reverting the device to its original factory state. However, data recovery from Android phones after factory reset can be challenging but not impossible. There are several Android data recovery methods and tools available that you can try to recover data after factory reset an Android device.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore some commonly used methods to help you learn how to recover data after a factory reset from Android, ensuring you access your lost data once again.
Understanding Factory Reset and Data Loss
A factory reset is a built-in feature on Android devices that you can use to wipe all data and settings, effectively restoring the device to its original factory condition. This helps you to troubleshoot issues or prepare your device for resale, it can result in the permanent loss of important data if proper backups are not made.
Why Factory Reset Causes Data Loss?
When you factory reset an Android device, the following occurs:
- Data Deletion: All user data, including apps, settings, and files, are deleted from the device’s internal storage.
- File System Formatting: The file system is restructured, making it difficult for the device to recognize and access the previous data.
- Storage Overwriting: New data written to the device’s storage can overwrite the sectors where the deleted data was stored, making recovery more challenging.
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Quick Methods to Recover Data After Factory Reset
There are several methods for data recovery from Android devices after a factory reset on an Android device. These include using cloud backups, Google services, and specialized data recovery software. Let’s discuss each of them in detail:
Method 01: Recover Data Using Google Account
One of the simplest methods to recover data from an Android device after a factory reset is by restoring from a Google account backup. Google provides a variety of services that automatically backup different types of data. Follow the below steps to recover data from your Google account:
- Once you perform the Factory reset, switch on your Android device and go through on-screen set-up instructions.
- When prompted, sign in to the same Google account that was previously used on the device.
- During the setup process, when you are asked to restore data from a previous backup, select the appropriate backup from the list.
- The device will begin restoring apps, settings, contacts, and other backed-up data from your Google account.
Method 02: Recover Data Using Google Photos
You can use the Google Photos app to recover multimedia files such as photos and videos from your Android device after factory resetting it. If you have enabled Google Photos backup, follow the below steps to easily restore your photos and videos after a factory reset:
- Firstly, download and install the Google Photos app from the Google Play Store if it’s not already installed.
- Launch Google Photos and sign in with your Google account that you have used for the factory reset.
- After signing in, click on the Library or Trash folder. Go through all your backed-up photos and videos. Select the ones you need and download them to your device.
Method 03: Recover Deleted Data from Google Drive
If you use Google Drive to back up important files and folders from your Android device, you can use it to easily and quickly recover lost data after factory reset. Here’s how to recover data from Google Drive:
- Launch the Google Drive application on your Android device and go to Files.
- Locate and click on the specific folder where your deleted data was stored before deletion.
- Now, find the file you need to restore, and right-click on it.
- Click the Three-dotted button located at the top-right corner and then tap “Download”.
Once done, check the original folder to locate the restored file. If you are still unable to recover your lost files, try using a professional third-party tool for data recovery from an Android device.
Method 04: Recover Deleted Data on Android Using Data Recovery Tool
Sometimes, the above-mentioned methods for data recovery from an Android device after factory reset may fail, especially if you don’t have any adequate backup. Don’t worry! In such cases, you can use a Android data recovery software to restore lost or deleted files. Stellar Data Recovery for Android is a versatile data recovery tool which supports recovery of files deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, improper transfers, etc.
This all-in-one Android data recovery software can restore your missing files of any type, including photos, videos, documents, and many more in a few simple clicks. Here’s how to recover data after factory reset from Android using Stellar Data Recovery for Android software:
Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery for Android software on your device. Also, connect your Android phone to that device using a USB cable.
Step 2: Launch the software and from the homepage, select Recover Android Data and then choose the type of data you need to restore. Click Next to continue.
Step 3: Now when your Android device appears, click Scan and wait till the scanning process is completed.
Step 4: When the scan process is completed, preview the recoverable files and choose the files you need to restore. Click Save to save selected files at the desired location.
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Preventive Measures to Avoid Data Loss
To minimize the risk of data loss from your Android device in the future, consider implementing the following preventive measures:
- Regular Backups: Regularly backup your data to Google Drive, Google Photos, or other cloud services.
- Enable Automatic Backup: Turn on automatic backup options available on your Android device.
- Use External Storage: Store important data on external storage devices such as SD cards or USB drives.
- Backup Apps: Use third-party backup apps to create additional backups of your data.
- Avoid Unnecessary Resets: Only perform a factory reset when absolutely necessary and ensure you have a complete backup beforehand.
Wrapping Up
When you find data loss on your Android device after factory resetting it, don’t lose hope. You can easily recover your lost data by leveraging Google account backups or any third-party Android data recovery. Additionally, implementing preventive measures can help protect your data from future loss. Always ensure you have multiple backups of your important data to avoid permanent loss in case of unexpected events like factory resets.
