When a deleted photo was on a microSD card and didn't go through the recycle bin, DiskDigger is one of the most commonly used tools to try and find it.
How DiskDigger finds deleted photos
The app scans your storage for remnants of images that haven't yet been overwritten. At the end, it shows thumbnails of what it finds, and you choose what you want to save.
The free version recovers photos and videos. The paid Pro version expands this to other file types. For those who only want images, the free version is usually sufficient.
Without root access, DiskDigger performs a basic search, primarily looking in caches and thumbnails. A full scan, which reads the memory in depth, requires root access. Therefore, on many phones, the result comes out with lower resolution than the original.
Things to consider before you begin
- Do not take new photos or download files until you are finished.
- Leave your phone charging; the search may take a while.
- Have a separate location to save your photos that isn't the same memory card.
- If the card has been formatted, do not write anything to it before attempting this.
Step-by-step instructions on your cell phone
- Install DiskDigger from Google Play.
- Open the app and tap on search photos.
- Grant access permission to the files when the system requests it.
- Wait for the scan to complete and scroll through the thumbnails found.
- Select the photos you want back and tap Recover.
- Choose to save it to another folder, to Google Drive, or send it by email.
Saving the recovered photo to the card itself may take up space that could be used for other images that haven't yet been found. It's better to use the cloud or internal memory instead.
If the phone doesn't find anything, remove the card and scan it with a card reader on your computer. DiskDigger has a computer version on its official website, and accessing the card directly usually yields better results.
1. DiskDigger
Google Play
A well-known recovery tool for Android, with a free version for photos and videos. It shows thumbnails before you decide what to save.
Results vary depending on the device, Android version, and time elapsed since deletion. Not all photos are restored, and some are restored at a lower resolution.
Download on Google Play
2. Google Photos
Google Play
Before using DiskDigger, it's worth checking if the photo isn't in the Google Photos trash. If backups were enabled, it's very likely that it is.
After recovery, it also serves as a safe place to store the recovered photos outside of the memory card.
Download on Google PlayFrequently Asked Questions
Is DiskDigger free?
Yes, for photos and videos. The Pro version is paid and recovers other file types.
Do I need root access?
Not for basic searches. Root access is only required for a full search of the internal memory.
Why do some photos come out small?
Without root access, some of what the app finds are thumbnails saved by the system, which have a lower resolution than the original.
Can you recover photos from a formatted memory card?
It may be recoverable, especially if the card hasn't been used since formatting. For cards, a computer usually gives better results.