Samsung Galaxy: How to Recover Deleted Trash Files – A Comprehensive Guide

Losing important files from your Samsung Galaxy phone can be a frustrating experience. Whether you accidentally deleted photos, videos, documents, or other data, the feeling of panic is understandable. Fortunately, Samsung Galaxy devices offer a built-in Trash or Recycle Bin feature in some apps, and there are also various third-party recovery options available. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of recovering deleted files from the Trash/Recycle Bin and other recovery methods on your Samsung Galaxy, providing detailed steps and instructions to maximize your chances of success.

## Understanding the Samsung Galaxy Trash/Recycle Bin

Many default Samsung apps, like Gallery, My Files, and Samsung Notes, have a Trash or Recycle Bin feature similar to the one on your computer. When you delete a file within these apps, it’s not immediately erased from your device’s storage. Instead, it’s moved to the Trash/Recycle Bin, providing you with a safety net to recover accidentally deleted items. The retention period for files in the Trash/Recycle Bin varies depending on the app, but it’s usually around 30 days. After this period, the files are permanently deleted.

It’s crucial to understand which apps utilize a Trash/Recycle Bin to know where to look for your deleted files. Also, note that not all apps have this feature. Files deleted from apps without a Trash/Recycle Bin are typically more challenging to recover, requiring specialized data recovery software.

## Recovering Files from the Gallery App Trash

The Gallery app is where most of your photos and videos are stored. Recovering deleted items from its Trash is relatively straightforward:

**Steps:**

1. **Open the Gallery app:** Locate the Gallery icon on your home screen or app drawer and tap it to open.
2. **Tap the Menu Icon:** In the Gallery app, look for the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) or three vertical dots (options menu), usually located at the bottom right corner or top left corner of the screen. Tap on it to open the Gallery menu.
3. **Select ‘Trash’ or ‘Recycle Bin’:** In the Gallery menu, find and tap on the option labeled ‘Trash’ or ‘Recycle Bin’. This will open the Trash folder containing your recently deleted photos and videos.
4. **Select the Files to Restore:** Browse through the files in the Trash folder. To select a file for restoration, tap and hold on the file until a checkmark appears. You can select multiple files by tapping on each one you want to recover.
5. **Tap ‘Restore’:** Once you’ve selected all the files you want to recover, look for the ‘Restore’ button. It’s usually located at the bottom of the screen. Tap on ‘Restore’ to move the selected files back to their original folders within the Gallery app.

**Important Considerations for Gallery Trash Recovery:**

* **30-Day Limit:** Remember that photos and videos in the Gallery Trash are typically permanently deleted after 30 days. Regularly check the Trash to ensure you don’t miss the recovery window.
* **Cloud Syncing:** If you have cloud syncing enabled with Samsung Cloud or Google Photos, deleting a photo or video from your Gallery might also remove it from the cloud. Be sure to check your cloud backups as well.

## Recovering Files from the My Files App Trash

The My Files app is Samsung’s default file manager, allowing you to browse and manage all the files stored on your device. Like the Gallery app, it also has a Trash feature:

**Steps:**

1. **Open the My Files App:** Locate the My Files icon on your home screen or app drawer and tap it to open.
2. **Tap the Menu Icon:** In the My Files app, look for the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) usually located at the top left corner of the screen. Tap on it to open the My Files menu.
3. **Select ‘Recycle Bin’:** In the My Files menu, find and tap on the option labeled ‘Recycle Bin’. This will open the Recycle Bin folder containing your recently deleted files.
4. **Select the Files to Restore:** Browse through the files in the Recycle Bin folder. To select a file for restoration, tap and hold on the file until a checkmark appears. You can select multiple files by tapping on each one you want to recover.
5. **Tap ‘Restore’:** Once you’ve selected all the files you want to recover, look for the ‘Restore’ button. It’s usually located at the bottom of the screen. Tap on ‘Restore’ to move the selected files back to their original folders.

**Important Considerations for My Files Recycle Bin Recovery:**

* **Retention Period:** The retention period for files in the My Files Recycle Bin might differ from the Gallery Trash. Check the app’s settings for details on the deletion policy.
* **File Types:** The My Files Recycle Bin can contain various file types, including documents, audio files, APK files, and more.

## Recovering Files from Samsung Notes Trash

If you use Samsung Notes, you can recover deleted notes from its Trash folder.

**Steps:**

1. **Open Samsung Notes App:** Launch the Samsung Notes app on your device.
2. **Tap the Menu Icon:** In the Samsung Notes app, look for the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) usually located at the top left corner of the screen. Tap on it to open the Samsung Notes menu.
3. **Select ‘Trash’:** In the Samsung Notes menu, find and tap on the option labeled ‘Trash’. This will open the Trash folder containing your recently deleted notes.
4. **Select the Notes to Restore:** Browse through the notes in the Trash folder. To select a note for restoration, tap and hold on the note until a checkmark appears. You can select multiple notes by tapping on each one you want to recover.
5. **Tap ‘Restore’:** Once you’ve selected all the notes you want to recover, look for the ‘Restore’ button. It’s usually located at the bottom of the screen. Tap on ‘Restore’ to move the selected notes back to their original location.

## Recovering Permanently Deleted Files: Third-Party Solutions

If you’ve already emptied the Trash/Recycle Bin or deleted files from apps without a Trash feature, recovering them becomes more complex. In such cases, you’ll need to rely on third-party data recovery software. These tools scan your device’s internal storage for remnants of deleted files and attempt to reconstruct them.

**Important Considerations Before Using Data Recovery Software:**

* **Stop Using Your Device Immediately:** After realizing you’ve permanently deleted a file, stop using your Samsung Galaxy as much as possible. Any new data written to the storage can overwrite the deleted file’s data, making it unrecoverable. Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data to prevent automatic downloads and updates.
* **Rooting Your Device (Potentially Required):** Some data recovery software requires you to root your Android device to gain deeper access to the storage. Rooting can void your warranty and carries some risks, so proceed with caution and only if necessary.
* **Choose Reputable Software:** Research and select a reputable data recovery software with positive reviews and a proven track record. Avoid using shady or unknown software, as they might contain malware or further damage your data.

Here are some popular and effective data recovery software options for Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy phones:

1. **Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android):** Dr.Fone is a comprehensive data recovery suite that supports various file types, including photos, videos, contacts, messages, and more. It offers both rooted and unrooted recovery options, although rooting might provide better results.

**Steps to Recover with Dr.Fone:**

a. **Download and Install Dr.Fone:** Download the Dr.Fone toolkit on your computer from the official website and install it.
b. **Connect Your Samsung Galaxy:** Launch Dr.Fone on your computer and connect your Samsung Galaxy to the computer using a USB cable. Make sure USB debugging is enabled on your phone (usually found in Developer Options in Settings).
c. **Select ‘Data Recovery’:** In the Dr.Fone interface, select the ‘Data Recovery’ module.
d. **Choose File Types to Scan:** Dr.Fone will detect your device and prompt you to select the file types you want to recover (e.g., photos, videos, messages). Choose the relevant file types and click ‘Next’.
e. **Start Scanning:** Dr.Fone will begin scanning your device for deleted files. The scanning process can take some time, depending on the size of your storage and the amount of data.
f. **Preview and Recover:** Once the scan is complete, Dr.Fone will display a list of recoverable files. You can preview the files and select the ones you want to recover. Click ‘Recover’ to save the files to your computer.

2. **EaseUS MobiSaver for Android:** EaseUS MobiSaver is another well-regarded data recovery tool that specializes in recovering data from Android devices. It supports various file types and offers a user-friendly interface.

**Steps to Recover with EaseUS MobiSaver:**

a. **Download and Install EaseUS MobiSaver:** Download and install EaseUS MobiSaver for Android on your computer.
b. **Connect Your Samsung Galaxy:** Connect your Samsung Galaxy to your computer using a USB cable. Enable USB debugging on your phone.
c. **Start Scanning:** Launch EaseUS MobiSaver and click the ‘Start’ button. The software will scan your device for deleted files.
d. **Preview and Recover:** After the scan, you can preview the recoverable files and select the ones you want to restore. Click the ‘Recover’ button to save the files to your computer.

3. **iMobie PhoneRescue for Android:** iMobie PhoneRescue is a powerful data recovery tool designed to recover lost data from Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy phones. It offers various recovery modes and supports a wide range of file types.

**Steps to Recover with iMobie PhoneRescue:**

a. **Download and Install iMobie PhoneRescue:** Download and install iMobie PhoneRescue for Android on your computer.
b. **Connect Your Samsung Galaxy:** Connect your Samsung Galaxy to your computer using a USB cable. Enable USB debugging on your phone.
c. **Select Recovery Mode:** Launch iMobie PhoneRescue and choose a recovery mode (e.g., ‘Deep Scan Recovery’).
d. **Start Scanning:** The software will scan your device for deleted files.
e. **Preview and Recover:** After the scan, you can preview the recoverable files and select the ones you want to restore. Click the ‘Recover’ button to save the files to your computer.

**General Tips for Using Data Recovery Software:**

* **Rooting:** As mentioned earlier, rooting your device might improve the chances of recovery, but it’s not always necessary. Try the unrooted recovery option first, and only root your device if the results are unsatisfactory.
* **Deep Scan:** Most data recovery software offers a ‘Deep Scan’ mode. This mode takes longer to scan but can potentially recover more files.
* **Save Recovered Files to a Different Location:** When recovering files, always save them to a different location than your phone’s internal storage. This prevents overwriting any other potentially recoverable files.

## Recovering Files from Cloud Backups

If you regularly back up your Samsung Galaxy to the cloud using services like Samsung Cloud or Google Photos, you might be able to restore your deleted files from these backups.

**1. Samsung Cloud:**

Samsung Cloud automatically backs up certain types of data, such as photos, videos, contacts, call logs, and settings. To restore data from Samsung Cloud:

**Steps:**

a. **Open Settings:** Go to your phone’s settings.
b. **Tap Accounts and backup:** Look for “Accounts and backup” and tap on it.
c. **Tap Samsung Cloud:** Select “Samsung Cloud” from the list.
d. **Tap Restore data:** Choose “Restore data”.
e. **Select the data to restore:** Select the data types you want to restore (e.g., Gallery, Contacts, Settings). Make sure to select the backup date that contains the deleted files.
f. **Tap Restore:** Tap the “Restore” button.

**2. Google Photos:**

If you use Google Photos to back up your photos and videos, you can restore deleted items from the Google Photos Trash:

**Steps:**

a. **Open Google Photos:** Launch the Google Photos app on your device.
b. **Tap Library:** At the bottom, tap “Library”.
c. **Tap Trash:** Select “Trash”.
d. **Select the photos to restore:** Tap and hold the photo or video you want to restore. You can select multiple items.
e. **Tap Restore:** At the bottom, tap “Restore”. The photos and videos will be restored to your Google Photos library.

**3. Google Drive:**

If you use Google Drive to back up other file types, you can also check the Trash in Google Drive for deleted files:

**Steps:**

a. **Open Google Drive:** Launch the Google Drive app on your device.
b. **Tap Menu:** Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the top left.
c. **Tap Trash:** Select “Trash”.
d. **Select the files to restore:** Tap the three dots next to the file you want to restore.
e. **Tap Restore:** Select “Restore”.

## Prevention is Better Than Cure: Tips to Avoid Data Loss

While data recovery is possible in many cases, it’s always best to take preventative measures to avoid data loss in the first place. Here are some tips:

* **Regular Backups:** Regularly back up your Samsung Galaxy to the cloud (Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, Google Photos) or to your computer. Set up automatic backups to ensure your data is always protected.
* **Be Careful When Deleting:** Double-check before deleting any files, especially important ones. Take a moment to ensure you’re deleting the correct file and that you no longer need it.
* **Use the Trash/Recycle Bin:** Utilize the Trash/Recycle Bin feature in apps like Gallery, My Files, and Samsung Notes. This gives you a chance to recover accidentally deleted files.
* **Install a Reliable Antivirus:** Protect your device from malware and viruses that can cause data loss. Install a reputable antivirus app and keep it updated.
* **Secure Your Device:** Use a strong password or biometric authentication (fingerprint, face recognition) to prevent unauthorized access to your device. This can protect your data if your phone is lost or stolen.
* **Enable Find My Mobile:** Enable Samsung’s Find My Mobile feature. This allows you to remotely locate, lock, or wipe your device if it’s lost or stolen, protecting your data from unauthorized access.

## Conclusion

Losing important files from your Samsung Galaxy can be stressful, but with the right approach, you can often recover them. By understanding the Trash/Recycle Bin feature in Samsung apps, utilizing third-party data recovery software, and leveraging cloud backups, you can significantly increase your chances of retrieving your deleted files. Remember to always back up your data regularly and be cautious when deleting files to prevent future data loss. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the recovery process, empowering you to take control of your data and protect your valuable information on your Samsung Galaxy device.