[Free] Recover Deleted Files From SD Card Android Without PC?

Preface

In today’s smartphones, SD cards play a vital role in expanding storage capacity. Many users rely on SD cards to store photos, videos, apps, and documents to avoid running out of internal memory.

However, data loss can happen unexpectedly due to accidental deletion, formatting, or system errors. When that occurs, knowing how to recover deleted files from an SD card on an Android device without using a PC becomes essential. This article will introduce simple and effective methods to help you retrieve lost files directly from your phone’s SD card, without connecting it to any computers.

Possible Causes of Data Loss on Android SD Card

Data loss on an Android SD card can happen for various reasons. Understanding these causes can help you avoid them and better prepare for data recovery if needed:

1. Accidental Deletion: unintentionally delete important files like photos, videos, or documents while managing device storage.

2. Formatting the SD Card: formatting the card either intentionally or by mistakewill erase all stored data, leading to complete data loss.

3. File System Corruption: Improper removal of the SD card, malware infection, or software glitches can corrupt the file system, making data inaccessible.

4. Physical Damage: Drops, water exposure, or general wear and tear can physically damage the SD card, resulting in data loss.

5. Power Failures During File Transfer: Interruptions like sudden power loss while transferring files can corrupt data or delete files partially.

Regardless of how your photos were lost, it’s crucial to stop using the SD card as soon as you notice any data missing. Avoid taking new pictures or saving any files to the card to prevent further data overwriting and ensure a smoother recovery process.

Free Methods to Recover Deleted Files from SD Card Android without PC

Many Android users prefer not to use a PC when recovering deleted files from their SD cards. This could be due to several reasons: they may not have immediate access to a computer, want a faster solution on the go, or simply find PC-based recovery software complicated and inconvenient. Thankfully, there are several effective free methods available that allow you to recover lost data directly from your Android devicewithout using computers.

1. Check the "Trash" Folder

Many gallery apps and file managers have a "Recently Deleted"or "Trash"folder where deleted files are temporarily stored before permanent removal. You can restore files from there easily without any additional tools.Next we will show you how to recover deleted photos from Android SD card using Gallery Trash Bin folder.

Step 1: Open your Gallery app on your Android device.

Step 2: Tap the menu icon or go to the “Albums” section at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Find and open the "Trash Bin"folder where deleted files are temporarily stored.

Step 4: Select the photos or files you want to recover by tapping on them.

Step 5: Tap the “Restore” button or icon to move the selected files back to their original locations.

Step 6: Check your main gallery or file folders to confirm that the files have been successfully restored.

2. Use Cloud Backup Services

If you had cloud backup enabled (Google Photos, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), you might be able to recover your deleted files directly from the cloud without using a computer.Take Google Photos as example.

Step1: Open the Google Photos app or go to the web version at photos.google.com.

Step 2: Tap the "Trash" option in the bottom menu.

Step 3:Select the files you want to recover, then tap "Restore".

The files will reappear in your Google Photos library.Please note that files stay in the Trash for 30 days(extended for Google One subscribers).

3. Use Android Data Recovery Apps

If you did not back up the files on Android SD card to any cloud storage, or the in-built Trash / Recently Deleted folder was emptied manually. The deleted files recovery from Android SD card without using a PC will become tricky, but not completely hopeless.

There are various free recovery apps available on the Google Play Store designed specifically for Android devices. These apps can scan your SD card and recover deleted photos, videos, and documents without needing a PC. Excellent options include DiskDigger.This can work without rooting your device, but rooting increases the chances of recovering more photos and files (👉check out how to root your device)

Step 1: Download and Install DiskDigger

Visit the official website and download the DiskDigger app. Alternatively, you can find it on the Google Play Store by searching for "DiskDigger."

Step 2: Launch the App

Open the DiskDigger app on your Android device. You'll be presented with two scanning options:

• Basic Photo Scan (available without root)
• Full Scan (requires root access)

Step 3: Grant Root Permissions (if applicable)

If your device is rooted, the app will prompt you to grant superuser (root) permissions. Tap "Allow" to proceed.

Step 4: Choose File Types to Recover

Choose the storage partition you wish to scan. Select the types of files you want to recover (e.g., photos, videos).

Step 5: Start Scanning

Tap "OK" to begin scanning. The app will display recoverable files as it scans.

Step 6: Select Files to Recover

Browse through the list of recoverable files. Tap the checkbox next to each file you wish to restore. Then tap the "Recover" button.

You'll be prompted to choose a method to save the recovered files:

• Save to an App: Send files to another app (e.g., email, cloud storage).
• Save to Device: Save files back to the device's storage.
• FTP Upload: Upload files to an FTP server.

Navigate to the location where you saved the recovered files to ensure they have been successfully restored.

Conclusion

When you lose files from your Android SD card, you can try the above free and practical ways to recover deleted files from SD card Android without PC.

However, if these solutions don't fully recover what you need, or if you’re dealing with large-scale data loss, we recommend using a professional recovery tool like MyRecover. By connecting your SD card to a computer, MyRecover provides a more powerful and comprehensive scan, giving you the best chance of recovering deleted or formatted files safely and completely.Only 3 steps can scan and recover lost files from SD card.

MyRecover

Easy Data Recovery Software

• User-Friendly Interface – Designed for beginners, allowing anyone to recover lost data in just a few clicks.
• Wide File Type Support – Recovers photos, videos, documents, audio, and more from SD cards and other devices.
• Formatted & Corrupted Card Recovery – Effectively restores data from accidentally formatted or logically corrupted SD cards.
• Deep and Quick Scan Modes – Offers both fast and thorough scanning options to suit different data loss scenarios.
• File Preview Before Recovery – Lets you preview recoverable files so you can selectively restore what you really need.
• Broad Device Compatibility – Supports all major SD card brands and types, as well as USB drives, HDD, SSD, etc.

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