How to Recover Permanently Deleted Videos from Gallery on Android

Permanently deleting videos from our Android phone’s gallery can be a frustrating experience. We may accidentally delete important videos or lose them due to various reasons like a factory reset, system crash, or a failed software update. However, there is still hope as there are methods to recover these deleted videos from the gallery. In this blog post, we will explore different techniques to recover permanently deleted videos from the gallery on Android devices.

Why You Need to Recover Permanently Deleted Videos

There are several reasons why you may need to recover permanently deleted videos from your Android phone’s gallery. Here are a few scenarios where video recovery can be crucial:

  • You accidentally deleted important videos that hold sentimental value, such as family events, vacations, or special occasions.
  • Your phone encountered a software issue or crashed, leading to the loss of videos stored in the gallery.
  • You performed a factory reset on your Android device without backing up your videos, resulting in the permanent deletion of all data including videos.
  • You experienced a failed software update or a corrupt SD card, which caused the loss of videos from the gallery.

Regardless of the reason for the deletion, it’s essential to know how to recover permanently deleted videos to avoid losing valuable memories or important footage. Let’s explore the different methods you can use to recover these deleted videos from your Android gallery.

Video Tutorial:

Part 1. Using Data Recovery Software

Data recovery software is an effective method to recover permanently deleted videos from the gallery on Android devices. These software applications are designed to scan your device’s storage and retrieve deleted files, including videos. Here are the steps to recover deleted videos using data recovery software:

1. Install a reputable data recovery software on your computer, such as EaseUS MobiSaver, Dr.Fone, or DiskDigger.
2. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Open the data recovery software on your computer and select the appropriate recovery mode, usually "Recover from Android device" or "Recover from SD card."
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to grant necessary permissions for the software to access your device’s storage.
5. Once the software detects your connected device, select the storage location where your videos were deleted (internal storage or SD card).
6. Start the scanning process, and the software will search for deleted videos in the selected storage location.
7. After the scanning process is complete, you will see a list of recoverable files, including the deleted videos from your gallery.
8. Select the videos you want to recover and click on the "Recover" button.
9. Choose a destination folder on your computer to save the recovered videos.
10. Wait for the software to complete the recovery process and then access the destination folder to view the recovered videos.

Pros:

ProsCons
1. Data recovery software provides a reliable and effective method to recover permanently deleted videos.1. Data recovery software may require a paid version to access all the advanced features and fully recover the videos.
2. These software applications have user-friendly interfaces and provide step-by-step instructions for the recovery process.2. The success of video recovery depends on various factors such as the timeline since deletion and the level of data overwrite on the storage device.
3. Data recovery software can recover not only videos but also other types of deleted files on your Android device.3. Some data recovery software may not support all Android devices or have compatibility issues with certain models.

Part 2. Using Google Photos

Another method to recover permanently deleted videos from the gallery on Android is by using Google Photos. Google Photos is a popular cloud-based photo and video storage service provided by Google. Here’s how you can use Google Photos to recover deleted videos:

1. Launch the Google Photos app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the menu.
3. Select "Trash" from the menu options.
4. In the trash folder, you will find all the photos and videos that have been recently deleted from your Google Photos account.
5. Browse through the trash folder and locate the deleted videos that you want to recover.
6. Tap on the video to select it, and then tap on the "Restore" button.
7. The video will be restored to your Google Photos account and will also be available in your device’s gallery.

Pros:

ProsCons
1. Google Photos provides a convenient and easy-to-use platform to recover deleted videos without the need for additional software.1. The videos can only be recovered if they were previously backed up to Google Photos.
2. Google Photos offers significant cloud storage space for photos and videos, ensuring your media is safely backed up.2. If your deleted videos were not backed up to Google Photos, this method will not be effective.
3. The restored videos will be available across all your devices linked to the same Google account.3. Google Photos may have limitations on the duration for which deleted videos are retained in the trash folder.

Part 3. Using File Explorer Apps

If your Android device has not been rooted, you can use file explorer apps to recover permanently deleted videos from the gallery. These file explorer apps allow you to access and navigate the file system of your Android device, including the location where deleted videos are stored. Here’s how you can use file explorer apps for video recovery:

1. Install a file explorer app on your Android device, such as ES File Explorer, Solid Explorer, or Astro File Manager.
2. Open the file explorer app and navigate to the internal storage or SD card directory where your deleted videos were originally stored.
3. Look for a folder named "DCIM" or "Pictures." These folders usually contain the media files, including videos.
4. Within the "DCIM" or "Pictures" folder, you may find subfolders like "Camera" or "Screenshots." Check these folders as well.
5. Browse through the folders and look for the deleted videos. They may still be present in the file system, even after deletion.
6. Once you find the deleted videos, select them and choose the option to move or copy them to a different location, such as a new folder.
7. The moved or copied videos will now be available in the new location, and you can access them through the gallery or a video player app.

Pros:

ProsCons
1. File explorer apps provide direct access to the file system of your Android device, allowing you to recover deleted videos easily.1. This method may require technical knowledge and familiarity with the file structure of Android devices.
2. File explorer apps are lightweight and do not consume significant resources on your Android device.2. If the deleted videos have been overwritten in the storage, this method may not be effective.
3. You can use file explorer apps even on non-rooted Android devices.3. Locating the deleted videos within the file system can be time-consuming and requires patience.

Part 4. Using SD Card Recovery Software

If the deleted videos were stored on an SD card in your Android device, you can use specialized SD card recovery software to retrieve them. These software applications are specifically designed to recover lost or deleted files from SD cards. Here’s how you can use SD card recovery software for video recovery:

1. Remove the SD card from your Android device and insert it into your computer using an SD card adapter.
2. Install a reliable SD card recovery software on your computer, such as Recuva, PhotoRec, or CardRecovery.
3. Open the SD card recovery software and select the SD card as the target location for the recovery process.
4. Choose the file types you want to recover, such as videos, and start the scanning process.
5. The software will scan the SD card for deleted files and display a list of recoverable videos.
6. Select the videos you want to recover and choose a destination folder on your computer to save the recovered files.
7. Wait for the software to complete the recovery process, and then access the destination folder to view the recovered videos.

Pros:

ProsCons
1. SD card recovery software is specifically designed to recover lost or deleted files from SD cards, ensuring higher success rates.1. This method is only applicable if the deleted videos were stored on an SD card, and not on the internal storage of your Android device.
2. SD card recovery software offers advanced scanning algorithms to recover videos even in challenging situations.2. The success of video recovery depends on various factors such as the condition of the SD card and the level of data overwrite.
3. These software applications provide a user-friendly interface and guide you through the recovery process step by step.3. Some SD card recovery software may have limitations on the size of the files that can be recovered or may require a paid version for full functionality.

What to Do If You Can’t Recover Permanently Deleted Videos

If none of the above methods work or if the videos have been permanently deleted and overwritten in the storage, there are still alternative solutions to explore. Here are three options to consider:

1. Contact Professional Data Recovery Services: Professional data recovery services specialize in recovering lost or deleted files from various storage devices, including Android phones. They have advanced tools and techniques to recover data even in complex scenarios. However, note that professional data recovery services can be expensive.

2. Check Cloud Backup Services: If you had previously enabled cloud backup services on your Android device, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, check if the deleted videos are available in the cloud. Many cloud backup services automatically sync and backup media files, ensuring their availability even after deletion from the device.

3. Seek Help from Android Forums or Communities: Android forums and communities are filled with knowledgeable individuals who can provide guidance and potential solutions for recovering permanently deleted videos. Posting your issue and seeking advice from the community might help you find alternative methods or specialized tools for video recovery.

Bonus Tips

1. Regularly Backup Your Videos: To avoid the hassle of recovering permanently deleted videos, make it a habit to regularly back up your videos to an external storage device or a cloud service. This ensures that even if you accidentally delete videos, you can easily restore them from a backup.

2. Enable Auto-Sync with Google Photos: Configure Google Photos on your Android device to automatically sync and backup your videos to the cloud. This provides an additional layer of protection against permanent deletion.

3. Use Reliable Memory Cards: Invest in high-quality and reliable SD cards for storing your videos. Cheap or counterfeit memory cards are more prone to failures and corrupt data, increasing the risk of permanent deletion.

The Bottom Line

Losing videos from your Android phone’s gallery can be distressing, but it’s important to remember that there are methods to recover permanently deleted videos. Whether you choose to use data recovery software, Google Photos, file explorer apps, or specialized SD card recovery software, each method has its own pros and cons. Additionally, if these methods do not work, there are alternative solutions and professional services available to help you in your video recovery journey. By being proactive and following the bonus tips mentioned, you can minimize the risk of permanent video deletion and ensure the safety of your precious memories.

5 FAQs about Recovering Permanently Deleted Videos from the Gallery on Android

Q1: Is it possible to recover permanently deleted videos from the gallery on an Android device?

A: Yes, it is possible to recover permanently deleted videos from the gallery on an Android device using various methods such as data recovery software, Google Photos, file explorer apps, or specialized SD card recovery software.

Q2: Are there any risks involved in recovering deleted videos?

A: The main risk involved in recovering deleted videos is the possibility of overwriting the deleted data. It is essential to avoid saving new files or using the device extensively before attempting the recovery process to maximize the chances of successful recovery.

Q3: Can I recover deleted videos if I don’t have a backup?

A: Yes, you can still recover deleted videos even if you don’t have a backup. By using data recovery software, Google Photos, file explorer apps, or specialized SD card recovery software, you can scan your device or storage media to retrieve the deleted videos.

Q4: What are the limitations of recovering permanently deleted videos?

A: The limitations of recovering permanently deleted videos include the risk of data overwrite, the timeline since deletion, and the condition of the storage media. The success of video recovery may vary depending on these factors.

Q5: Can I recover videos deleted a long time ago?

A: The chances of recovering videos that were deleted a long time ago may decrease due to data overwriting and the passage of time. However, it is still worth trying different recovery methods, including data recovery software and professional services, as they might be able to retrieve the deleted videos.