Recover photos from a memory card using your computer with Recuva
Memory cards, USB drives, and external hard drives are the cases where recovery is most successful.
Why does the computer find more
These are also cases where the computer easily beats the cell phone: the scan performed on the PC is more thorough and reaches files that the phone's app cannot find.
On mobile devices, the system limits direct access to memory for security reasons. The application only sees what Android allows. On a computer, the card appears as a regular disk, and the program reads each sector without restriction.
Add to that the fact that the card is used less frequently than the internal memory. Less writing means less chance of something overwriting your photo.
Use a card reader
Connecting the phone via cable doesn't solve the problem because Android exposes the storage through a protocol that hides free spaces. Remove the card and insert it into a reader, either the built-in one on your laptop or a USB adapter. Only then will the program be able to see the entire disk.
Quick scan or deep scan?
A quick query of the file system index finds what was recently deleted. It takes a few minutes and resolves most recent cases.
Deep scanning ignores the index and reads sector by sector looking for file signatures. It takes much longer, sometimes hours, but it's the only one that can access old files or files on formatted cards.
The rule that cannot be broken
Never save recovered files to the same card. Saving to the original drive will overwrite the area containing other photos, and you will permanently lose anything you haven't yet recovered. Always save to your computer or another device.
What if the card doesn't even show up on the computer?
When the card is not recognized, test it in another reader before concluding that it is dead. If it remains invisible in all readers, the problem is physical and no program can solve it; then the solution is a data recovery lab.
And on the cell phone?
Before resorting to the computer, or right after recovery, these applications handle the internal storage issues on the device and prevent future data loss.
1. DiskDigger
Scanning the memory card directly from the phone usually finds more files on the card than in the internal memory, precisely because the card undergoes less writing.
It serves as a quick first attempt before resorting to a computer, and it indicates whether the photo still exists somewhere.
2. Google Photos
It automatically backs up your photos to the cloud, eliminating the need for recovery next time. Once synced, the image survives the memory card, the device, and formatting.
It also maintains a 60-day recycle bin, useful for recently deleted files.
3. Dumpster
Create a trash can on Android and save everything that is deleted from now on, including files from the card accessed by the phone.
It's the simplest way to avoid having to scan every time someone accidentally deletes something.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work with a formatted card?
It works, provided nothing new has been saved since formatting. Use deep scan.
Do I need to pay?
The free versions already recover photos. The paid versions add support and extra features.
Does it work with USB flash drives and external hard drives?
It works. The process is the same as with a memory card.
Can I recover it using my cell phone cable?
It's not ideal. The cable hides the free zones; use a card reader.
How long does a deep scan take?
It depends on the size. A 64GB card can take one to three hours.
