How to Recover Lost Photos When Moving Files from Android to PC: A Professional Guide
Moving photos and videos from your Android device to a personal computer is a common task, but sometimes the process can lead to unintended data loss. If you’ve recently experienced a situation where files disappeared during a drag-and-drop transfer, you’re not alone. This guide aims to provide clarity on recovering your precious media without risking further data loss, especially when dealing with non-rooted devices and sensitive information.
Understanding the Situation
Imagine this scenario: You have a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE running Android 13, and you want to transfer photos and videos to your PC. You connect your phone via a USB-C cable, then drag and drop the files from your device’s internal storage to your desktop. While the folders create successfully on your PC, the files themselves do not appear, and subsequently, the original photos are no longer accessible on your phone either.
This common issue stems from how file transfers operate — sometimes files may not copy correctly, or the process might inadvertently delete or corrupt the files. In this case, thorough investigation is essential before jumping into advanced recovery steps.
Step 1: Confirm the Files’ Absence
- Check Recycle Bin and Hidden Folders: On Windows, ensure you’ve emptied the Recycle Bin, but also verify if files are stored in hidden or system folders.
- Use File Explorer Search: Search for the missing files by name or extension (e.g.,
.jpg,.mp4) across your internal storage. - Use Disk Management Tools: Tools like Disk Cleanup or Storage Usage analyzers can help confirm if files are still present.
Step 2: Evaluate Data Recovery Options
Since data was not copied correctly, and the files are no longer visible on your device, the next step involves recovery tools tailored for Android data loss situations. However, caution is advised.
Do Not Root Your Device Prematurely
Rooting can grant deeper access to the device’s internal storage but also introduces risks, including potential data overwriting or brick-ing your device. Given your concern for the security of important photos, it’s best to prefer non-invasive methods first.
Trusted Data Recovery Tools for Non-Rooted Devices
- Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android): Provides options to scan devices without root, often retrieving deleted files if they still reside in recoverable sectors.
- MOBILedit Forensic Express: Suitable for professional
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