Android Data Recovery Software

Android is now the most used mobile operating system in the world, which means that more Android users than ever experience the loss of important data, such as photos, documents, and text messages. Fortunately, Android data recovery software is here to help, making it possible for the average person to undelete seemingly permanently deleted data without any expert knowledge.
last update icon Updated on:Feb 5, 2024
David Morelo
Written by
Andrey Vasilyev
Approved by
Andrey Vasilyev Andrey Vasilyev
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Our editorial team independently assesses each data recovery solution to produce accurate, high-quality content. Discover more about our testing process.

1. Dr Fone from Wondershare (Windows & Mac)

🏆 Best for: Dr Fone from Wondershare is best for those who are looking for a comprehensive toolkit capable of addressing many different Android issues, including data loss.

📱 Mobile app: No.


Dr Fone Android Recovery

Wondershare is well-known for its large portfolio of easy-to-use software applications that address a wide range of needs of Windows and Mac users, including Android data loss. Indeed, Android data recovery capabilities are a huge part of what makes the Dr Fone toolkit such an attractive solution.


Dr Fone‘s Data Recovery solution is compatible with thousands of Android devices, and you can use it to recover contacts, messages, call history, documents, WhatsApp content, photos, videos, audio files, and more.


One great feature supported by Dr Fone Data Recovery is the ability to recover data from devices that don’t work correctly. We’re talking about logical damage and issues such as being stuck on the Lock Screen. Physical damage is, of course, impossible to repair using a software tool.


Key features:

  • Recovers data from logically damaged phones;
  • Supports thousands of devices;
  • Free for personal use.

Pros:

  • Step-by-step recovery process
  • Developed by a reputable company
  • Frequently updated

📛 Cons:

  • More expensive than competition

💰 Pricing:

Product Windows macOS
Dr.Fone - Full Toolkit $139.95 $149.95
Dr.Fone - Android Toolkit $79.95 $59.95

2. Disk Drill (Windows & Mac)

🏆 Best for: Disk Drill is the best Android phone data recovery solution for Mac users, but it can also offer a lot to Windows users.

📱 Mobile app: No.


Disk Drill Android recovery software

Disk Drill is a do-it-all data recovery software capable of recovering lost data from all kinds of devices, including Android smartphones and tablets. The Mac version can recover deleted data directly from the internal memory or Android’s SD card, while the Windows version is limited to SD card recovery.


Both versions of Disk Drill support over 400 file formats, including all image, video, audio, and document formats commonly found on Android devices. When recovering lost files with Disk Drill, you don’t need any special knowledge or skills because the entire process is completely intuitive and designed to take as little time as possible. Found files can be previewed before their actual recovery takes place, which makes it easy to recover only what you really need.


Included with Disk Drill are multiple extra tools to help you better protect important data and keep your storage devices organized. For example, Disk Drill’s duplicate file finder is great for finding duplicate photos stored on your Android’s SD card and deleting them to free up valuable storage space.

Key features:

  • Well-designed user interface;
  • Supports over 400 file formats;
  • Powerful data recovery algorithms;
  • File preview functionality;
  • Comes with extra tools.

Pros:

  • Intuitive enough even for complete beginners
  • Works with all devices running Android 2.3+
  • Many extra tools included for free
  • Excellent data recovery performance
  • Fast scan speed

📛 Cons:

  • Windows version can recover data only from Android micro SD cards, not internal memory

💰 Pricing:

Disk Drill Basic Can recover up to 500MB of data (Windows version only)
Disk Drill PRO $89.00
Disk Drill Enterprise $499

3. FoneLab (Windows & Mac)

🏆 Best for: As long as you’re willing to accept its higher price, FoneLab can offer you a convenient and modern approach to Android recovery that never fails to deliver great results.

📱 Mobile app: No.


FoneLab Android recovery

FoneLab is one of the best recovery apps for Android because its Windows version offers one-click recovery, allowing you to painlessly retrieve everything from lost photos to your WhatsApp messages, voice recordings, and shared documents.


All you need to do is connect your Android device to your PC, open FoneLab, and begin the recovery process. From there, you follow the recovery wizard, which will take you through a series of simple steps.


The free version of FoneLab can preview recoverable data, but only the paid version can recover selected file and there’s only one single-user licensing option.


Key features:

  • Previews Android data before recovery;
  • Rootless data recovery;
  • Recovers lost data from 6,000+ Android phones and tablets.

Pros:

  • Can recover some data even without root
  • Convenient and modern interface
  • Support all devices running Android OS 4.0 and above

📛 Cons:

  • More expensive than other apps

💰 Pricing:

Product Windows macOS
Android Data Recovery $44.76 $44.76
Broken Phone Data Extraction $31.96 -
Android Data Backup & Restore $20.76 $20.76
All Products $97.48 $65.62

4. Tenorshare UltData for Android (Windows & Mac)

🏆 Best for: Tenorshare UltData for Android delivers the best data recovery results together with a highly polished data recovery experience that leaves very little to be desired.

📱 Mobile app: Yes.


Tenorshare UltData for Android

Tenorshare UltData for Android is designed to help Windows and Mac users recover lost data without root. The application boasts support for over 6,000 Android devices, including the latest models from Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and other leading manufacturers.


All versions of the Android operating system from version 5 up are fully supported, but some recovery features are restricted to specific Android versions. For example, WeChat recovery works only on devices running Android 9 and earlier.


Tenorshare UltData for Android features an intuitive three-step recovery process that’s very easy to understand even without a tutorial thanks to the app’s modern user interface. Besides its Windows and Mac app, Tenorshare also offers an Android data recovery app that you can use to recover lost data directly on your Android device.


Key features:

  • Recovers lost data from devices that are not rooted;
  • Supports over 6,000 Android devices
  • Highest data recovery success rate in the industry.

Pros:

  • No need for root permissions
  • Supports the latest version of Android
  • Three-step data recovery process

📛 Cons:

  • Some recovery features are restricted to specific Android versions

💰 Pricing:

License Windows macOS
1 Month License $35.95 $55.95
1 Year License $39.95 $59.95
Lifetime License $49.95 $69.95
Annual Business Plan $52.95 $72.95

5. iMobie PhoneRescue (Windows & Mac)

🏆 Best for: Because of its all-inclusive nature, iMobie PhoneRescue is best for Android users who may occasionally need to recover lost data from an iOS device.

📱 Mobile app: No.


iMobie PhoneRescue

iMobie PhoneRescue is an elegant and versatile data recovery application that can help you retrieve lost data not only from your Android device but also from any iOS device, such as iPhone or iPad. As such, this solution is perfect for people who use both mobile operating systems and know that it’s best to have a data recovery application ready at hand before data loss occurs.


One handy feature supported by iMobie PhoneRescue is the ability to unlock any locked Android device without performing a factory reset. This feature can help you retrieve your data if you ever forget your password or break your fingerprint sensor.


When it comes to Android data recovery, iMobie PhoneRescue supports all common file types, including videos, images, audio, messages, contacts, and calendar information. If your device isn’t rooted, you will be given the option to begin the rooting process right from the app.


Key features:

  • Offers the ability to recover both Android and iOS devices;
  • iMobie PhoneRescue can unlock any Android device;
  • 24/7 free customer support.

Pros:

  • Elegant user interface
  • Lets you preview & select only the files you need to recover
  • Doubles as an iOS recovery tool
  • Can unlock Android devices

📛 Cons:

  • Users are required to purchase a separate license to unlock iOS recovery

💰 Pricing:

Free Edition Enables to scan Android device
1 Year Plan $39.99
Lifetime Plan $55.99
1-year business license $299

6. MiniTool Mobile Recovery for Android (Windows)

🏆 Best for: MiniTool Mobile Recovery for Android is best for users who want to recover only a very small amount of data from an Android phone or tablet and do so without paying any money.

📱 Mobile app: No.


MiniTool Mobile Recovery for Android

MiniTool Mobile Recovery for Android is the most basic recovery app for Android featured in this article, but it still gets the job done even though it hasn’t been updated in a while. Its biggest strength is the ability to restore a limited number of files for free, which is something not many Android data recovery software solutions can do.


Because MiniTool Mobile Recovery for Android was last updated in 2017, it doesn’t perform nearly as well as Disk Drill and other data recovery software applications that receive updates on a regular basis. It also doesn’t look nearly as good, although we have to admit that its user interface is beginner-friendly despite being outdated.


Key features:

  • Intuitive and easy-to-use interface;
  • Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP.

Pros:

  • Beginner-friendly user interface
  • Can recover from both the internal memory and SD card
  • The free version can restore 10 files of one type each time

📛 Cons:

  • Works only on Windows
  • Still in version 1.0
  • Last updated in 2020

💰 Pricing:

Free Edition Recover 10 files for free
1-Year upgrade $39.00
Lifetime upgrade $49.00

7. EaseUS MobiSaver for Android (Windows & Android)

🏆 Best for: EaseUS MobiSaver for Android is a user-friendly tool for Windows and Android that can be recommended to all users who can take advantage of its excellent text and contact restoration capabilities.

📱 Mobile app: Yes.


EaseUS MobiSaver for Android

EaseUS MobiSaver for Android is a free data recovery tool that can recover lost files, messages, contacts, photos, music, and videos from Android devices. The Windows version of the tool revolves around a simple 3-step approach to data recovery, and it supports both internal memory recovery as well as SD card recovery.


First, you need to connect your Android device to your computer. Then you need to launch EaseUS MobiSaver for Android and instruct it to scan the connected device. Finally, select the files you want to recover and specify a local restoration folder.


The Android version of EaseUS MobiSaver is equally easy to use, allowing you to recover deleted photos, pictures, images, videos, contacts, WhatsApp messages, and conversations with a few simple taps. You can recover data from your device’s internal storage and its memory card. Scan results can be narrowed down using straightforward filters, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.


Both versions of EaseUS MobiSaver for Android work only with rooted devices, and you need to purchase a license to unlock unlimited recovery. Despite these limitations, it remains a solid option that does what it promises to do.


Key features:

  • Can export files in multiple formats;
  • Preview before recovery;
  • Three-step approach to recovery.

Pros:

  • User friendly
  • Good at finding deleted text messages and contacts
  • Can run directly on your Android device

📛 Cons:

  • The Windows version was last updated in March 2019
  • Root permissions are required

💰 Pricing:

License Windows Android
Free version Preview only 20 jpg or mp4 files per day
Home/Personal Use $39.95 $5.99
Business Use $399.00 -

Comparison of the Best Android Data Recovery Software


Software Name Price Android Versions Supported Devices Latest Update
Dr Fone $59.95 – $149.95 Compatible with different versions of Android OS Unknown February 1, 2024 (Version 13.5.7)
Disk Drill Free – $499 Android OS 2.3+ All Android devices (via USB, excluding MIPS-based) December 22, 2023 (Version 5.4.1426)
FoneLab $20.76 – $97.48 Android OS 4.0+ 6,000+ January 18, 2024 (Version 5.0.30)
Tenorshare UltData Free – $72.95 Android OS 5.0+ 6,000+ October 17, 2023 (Version 6.8.6)
iMobie PhoneRescue $39.99 – $299 Android OS 4.0+ Covering literally all Android devices July 22, 2023 (Version 4.2.3.20230620)
MiniTool Mobile Recovery Free – $49.00 Android OS 4.2.2+ Multiple Android phones and tablets January 9, 2024 (Version 1.8)
EaseUS MobiSaver Free – $399.00 Android OS 4.0+ 6,000+ December 20, 2023 (Version 8.0.3)

Other Android Recovery Software that We Considered

Disk Digger logo

Disk Digger

Disk Digger is an Android data recovery program that allows you to retrieve lost and deleted files either from your memory card or internal memory. It has a “wipe free space” feature that permanently deletes recoverable files from the device and you can store recovered files through Dropbox, Google Drive, or email. It didn’t make our list on account of its root requirement and its tendency to degrade the quality of the media files it recovers.

Jihosoft logo

Jihosoft Android Recovery

Jihosoft was one of the most popular data recovery and backup tools back in the day. It supports nearly all Android devices and recovers almost any file type. You can restore your old call history, contacts, photos, videos, and documents – you can even get your WhatsApp and Viber data. Jihosoft also has a free trial version that lets you scan your device freely. However, this phone management solution no longer has new updates and runs into several problems with the latest Android models. It crashes randomly and cannot recover data from locked or broken phones.

FonePaw logo

FonePaw

FonePaw isn’t one of the more popular data recovery programs, but that’s not to say that it isn’t perfectly capable. You’ll need to install the app on your computer before you can utilize the Android version, but it can retrieve more than just lost/deleted files. You can also get back call histories, text messages, contact details, etc. We left it out of our best list because it has trouble with larger files, is prone to slowdowns, and is incapable of selective scans.

How to Recover Deleted Files from Android Devices?

Recovering deleted files from Android devices is straightforward, but you need to understand the differences between internal and SD card recovery.


Most Android devices sold today are equipped with an SD card slot (typically microSD) that makes it possible to easily add additional storage space. This storage space can be used to store photos, videos, documents, and sometimes even app data. It can’t, however, be used to store system data, which is always recorded in internal memory.


If the files you want to recover are on your SD card, then you’re in luck because SD card recovery doesn’t require you to go through any extra steps. But if the files reside in internal memory, then you need to first root your device to access them.

Recover Data from Internal Memory

  1. Connect your rooted Android device to your computer and enable USB debugging.
  2. Launch Disk Drill for Mac.
  3. Scan the connected device.
  4. Choose the files you want to recover.
  5. Recover them to a safe location.
scan internal memory android disk drill

Recover Files from an SD Card

  1. Remove the SD card from your Android smartphone.
  2. Connect the SD card to your computer.
  3. Launch Disk Drill for Windows
  4. Scan the SD card.
  5. Choose the files you want to recover.
  6. Recover them to a safe location.
scan sd card android disk drill

Direct Android recovery

  1. Install a data recovery app for Android, such as Tenorshare UltData or EaseUS MobiSaver.
  2. Launch the app and scan your Android device.
  3. Choose the files you want to recover.
  4. Recover them to a safe location.
Direct Android recovery
Common Issues with Android Devices That Lead to Data Loss
There are a variety of issues that may cause you to lose data on your Android device. Here are some of the most common ones:
  • Factory Reset

    Factory Reset

    The idea of a freshly reset phone or tablet certainly sounds appealing since it makes your device feel brand new again. Problems arise when you think that you’ve backed up all your important information, only to find out after the reset that you missed a few.
  • Phone Damage

    Phone Damage

    There are various kinds of damage that your Android device might incur that would cause it to lose its stored data, including damage from impact, water, fire, and more. These types of accidents can harm your device’s internal storage or memory card, resulting in the loss of valuable information.
  • SD Card Formatting

    SD Card Formatting

    Formatting your SD card completely wipes the information from it and returns it to its blank state. This is sometimes required when switching memory cards between devices and is also a good way to fix a card that’s been exhibiting some issues. Similar to factory resetting, it can be troublesome if you go through with the formatting process but only realize after that you failed to back up some important information.
  • Compromised Software

    Compromised Software

    Another common cause of data loss in Android devices is when the software on your machine begins to deteriorate. This could be because your device’s memory is completely filled up, you’ve encountered a virus/malware, or it might be due to a root attempt that went wrong.

Is Android Data Recovery Safe?

Yes, Android data recovery is safe because reputable data recovery software for Android uses a read-only approach to recovery, which means that it never modifies or deletes any data stored on your Android device.


However, complete Android file recovery from internal storage can typically be performed only with rooted devices, and there’s a lot that can go wrong during rooting. The worst-case scenario is that you make a critical error or experience a sudden power outage that results in your smartphone or tablet getting bricked, which is a slang term that Android enthusiasts use to describe devices that have become completely unresponsive.


If you want to stay on the safe side, we recommend you limit yourself to the recovery of data stored on your device’s SD card, as described in the previous section. Better yet, regularly back up all important data to a safe location so that you never need to perform data recovery from your Android phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated on by 7 Data Recovery Team
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