How to Recover Data from an Accidentally Formatted Phone

Recovering data from an accidentally formatted phone can be a challenging task, but there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of data recovery. Here’s a guide on how to recover data from an accidentally formatted phone:

1. Stop Using the Phone: As soon as you realize that your phone has been accidentally formatted, stop using it immediately. Continuing to use the phone can potentially overwrite the data that you want to recover, decreasing the chances of successful recovery.
2. Do Not Write any New Data: Avoid installing new apps, saving files, or making any changes to the phone’s storage. This helps prevent new data from being written over the previously formatted data and increases the likelihood of successful recovery.
3. Remove the SD Card (if applicable): If your phone has an external SD card, remove it immediately to prevent any further changes to its data. Handle the SD card carefully to avoid physical damage.
4. Enable USB Debugging: Enable USB debugging mode on your phone. This will allow your phone to communicate with data recovery software and increase the chances of successful recovery. Navigate to the phone’s settings, locate the “Developer Options,” and enable USB debugging. If you don’t see “Developer Options” in settings, go to “About Phone” and tap the build number several times until it is enabled.
5. Connect the Phone to a Computer: Connect your phone to a computer using a USB cable. Make sure the computer recognizes the phone and assigns it a drive letter.
6. Use Data Recovery Software: Download and install reliable data recovery software on your computer that is specifically designed for Android or iOS devices. Some popular software options include Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver, or iMobie PhoneRescue. Launch the software and follow the instructions to scan the phone’s storage for recoverable data. Note that the recovery software may require rooting (Android) or jailbreaking (iOS) the phone for deeper access to recoverable data.
7. Select and Recover the Data: Once the scanning process is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Preview the files to ensure they are intact and not corrupted. Select the files you wish to recover and choose a safe location on your computer to save the recovered data. Avoid saving the recovered data back to the phone’s storage to prevent overwriting.
8. Consult Professional Services: If the above methods do not work or if you are not comfortable with the technical aspects, consider contacting professional data recovery services that specialize in mobile phone data recovery. They have the expertise and resources to handle more complex cases and increase the chances of successful data retrieval.

Remember, the success of data recovery from a formatted phone depends on various factors, including the extent of formatting, continued phone usage, and the specific data recovery software used. It’s always advisable to have regular backups of your phone’s data to avoid permanent loss in case of accidental formatting or other data loss incidents.