Best recovery software and recovery method for Android 7 - General Questions and Answers

Hi all,
Friend of my accidentally cleared all his content on his Samsung Galaxy S8 (not rooted). From what I understood this was done remotely by erasing the phone using Android device manager. The phone has not been touched after the erase.
What I was hoping to achieve is to restore the content/phone as it was before the erase. If its not possible to restore the phone I would like to recover as much content as possible and export content, import back to phone using SD card or PC. As a minimum requirement I should be able to recover user data such as SMS, Caller log, images, video etc and if possible import option without too much hassle.
There are tons of recovery applications for Android online, any recommendations and methods preferred?
Looking forward to hear from you!
//seiern

Related

Vienna calling with some problems ......

Dear all,
just registered and already huge difficulties and problems.
The story behind:
My memory-device (my brain) decided to cancel the "password-file" - so everything was lost. Not only the pattern for the phone, but all other numbers too (credit card, account numbers .......... was not very funny. Happend within 10 minutes. Nearly all important passwords are back now, but pattern still missing....)
As I could not remember the pattern, although I tried about thousand possibilities, I did a hard-reset.
As there are several programs out there in order to recover the phone-data and messages, I tried to get into the deep of Android - but failed.
Tried to root with several programs, but at about 75% they stopped and rooting failed.
I'm not very firm with root, boot and such things - so I would ask you to support me.
(I'm in urgent need of some of the data already .........)
(Needless to mention, that I did no back-up with the new phone........ I know, not very clever.)
Many thanks in advance for your efforts and assistance. :fingers-crossed:
If the phone was running stock Marshmallow, I don't think there is a method to root.
audit13 said:
If the phone was running stock Marshmallow, I don't think there is a method to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lollipop - Android 5.0.2
Thanksfully I did not update, when phone was asking some weeks ago ....
Finally .......
Mobile phone is rooted.
After trying several methods, both .apk and .exe files, it worked then with kingroot.apk and the root.bat-file included in "Idol 3 Root". Checked with Root-Checker. So I'm a little bit proud of myself.
Happy am I ..... for the moment.
Next step will now be the recovery of the deleted data - like messages, documents and all the contacts.
Regards,
Uschi
(hopefully will sleep this night - last night I spent with searching, reading and re-checking) :cyclops:
If someone has a hint or two - would be great.
Device is not recognized as an additional drive - I knew that before, but thought, that there will be a possibility after rooting....
Thanks a lot in advance!
No hint at all?
I need the data (messages, contacts) urgently.
All photos, docs, etc. already found and back on the phone.
But still problems getting mentioned data ....
Keep my fingers crossed that someone can assist me.
Regards, Uschi
Other idea ....
As since Android 5, phone will not be recognized as "mass-storage", will it be possible to downgrade to latest version of Adroid 4.xxx, then trying to recover data via "Recuva".
If all data has been found and stored on PC, I then could updated to Lollopop again.
Or is this not possible?
Oberhexe said:
Other idea ....
As since Android 5, phone will not be recognized as "mass-storage", will it be possible to downgrade to latest version of Adroid 4.xxx, then trying to recover data via "Recuva".
If all data has been found and stored on PC, I then could updated to Lollopop again.
Or is this not possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at default your phone will be recognized as an MTP device (like a digital camera), so you won't see it as a pendrive ("mass storage")
if you did earlier a reset, it think you won't get back your messages.
how did you stored your contacts? sim card, local, google sync? if local only, you deleted them, when reseted your phone.
jani0417 said:
at default your phone will be recognized as an MTP device (like a digital camera), so you won't see it as a pendrive ("mass storage")
if you did earlier a reset, it think you won't get back your messages.
how did you stored your contacts? sim card, local, google sync? if local only, you deleted them, when reseted your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All data already recovered had been stored on the device.
When I tried the several programms available, I removed the SIM-card as well as the SSD.
So I thought, that there must be a possibility to get the messages too.
I know, that since Android 5, the device will not be recognized as "pendrive". That's why I tought about downgrade to Android 4.xxx, in order to try to recover the missing data.
Afterwards, I then would upgrade again to actual version 5.0.2.
Regards, Uschi
you can´t recover contacts and messages after factory reset. Your contacts should be backed up automatically on your gmail account.

Looking for a solution to make a backup image of my SM-N900V

As the title says, I am looking for a solution to make a backup image of my SM-N900V. I did not post this in the Note 3 forum as this seems like it should be a generic task but I have been unable to find anything related to this online.
I don't want to just backup photos, docs, etc. I want to take an entire image which I could later restore and the phone would return to the exact state it was at when I took the image. Just like when you image a PC.
Is this just not possible with phones? Or am I missing something here?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
you will need twrp for that
You may use
[TOOL][ADB][WIN]Android Partitions Backupper / Cloner
Hi all, wrote a Windows CMD script that backups / clones partitions of an Android device via ADB because I wasn't content with any 3rd-party APK what claims to do this job. The backups /clones are stored on Windows computer as...
forum.xda-developers.com
Back up your android phone on the device itself is not a wise choice.
While devices that have Android 4.0 and above can be backed up from the Android SDK and saved to a file on your PC. This process will allow you to have all of the data from your phone placed into a backup file on your computer.
You will need to download and set up the Android SDK on your computer. This will be used to initiate the backup and restore process on your Android devices. It’s also recommended that you set your device’s display sleep timer to a time that will disable it from turning off during the process.
How to fully backup and restore your Android device without root
One of Android’s little-known tricks is its built-in backup and restore process that allows users to save their private data...
9to5google.com
Thank you guys, I will look in to those and post back.
Piter101, I guess I did not specify where I wanted the backup stored. But yes, I want it to be taken by PC preferably and stored on the PC. A complete backup image cannot typically be taken by a running system, especially if it is stored on the same volume being imaged.
Both to an external drive and to encrypted cloud storage would a good bet to keep your data safe.

Assistance in Rooting SM-G955U

Hello All,
I'm new to the group, and am seeking a some advice. I've been doing a ton of research, and now I'm reaching out for assistance. I have a Samsung s8+ (SM-G955U) that I would like to retrieve deleted SMS from the internal storage. The only way I know of to do this is rooting the device, which isn't straight forward on the S8+. Since I do not need this phone rooted to do any development against, I'm wondering if there is a different method of getting the deleted texts. I'm not sure if it's possible to somehow make an image of the files and use an emulator in Android Studio to get to the data/data folders.
I've have USB debugging enabled and ran some third party data recovery software, with no joy.
If rooting is the phone is the only option, is it possible to even achieve root on the SM-G955U? Additionally, it sounds like unlocking the bootloader will wipe all data, so how does one ensure that deleted SMS messages get backed-up and restored?
Sorry for all the questions -- I'm new!
Thanks in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide!

Backup of the entire phone

Hello,
How to do backup of the entire phone? I mean entire system with data like passwords, apps etc?
What I wants to achieve something similar to VirtualBox on PC like Snapshot so I install basic version of android system with all aplication I need then I do my job and when something goes wrong I can go back to version I have saved/copied
You must have root access in android, or through TWRP. You didn't write the name of the device.
I have Huawei P20pro but soon I can buy new phone that will be easy to implement such solution

Android data recovery - Root required or no?

Hey guys,
I have a query on recovering data from Android phone's internal storage.
The phone is J7 Pro (SM-J730GM) and I am trying to recover some deleted data from the phone.
I have tried UltData for Android but it only lists the data that is already present on the phone...it does not show the deleted data.
I tried DroidKit and it clearly states that 'Root required for Deep Scan'. Only quick scan available which is same as UltData (lists only data that is already present).
I did some research and it seems that without root, it is not possible to recover lost/deleted data.
I was wondering if anyone here has some knowledge/experience about this topic?
Is there any reliable tool out there that can recover data WITHOUT root? Or using commands via ADB shell ?
Root is the last thing I want to go for as it may sometimes brick the device.
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jwoegerbauer said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mru007 said:
Root is the last thing I want to go for as it may sometimes brick the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, unlocking the bootloader will erase all data of your internal storage.
To recover deleted files you investigate your storage to find file signatures.
When deleting a file only the corresponding entry in the partition table will be erased. But the data of your file itself remains physically on your storage until it gets overwritten.
Best practice for that is to create an image file of your entire storage. But at least you will need full access to your data partition '/userdata'. That requires an unlocked bootloader to install a custom recovery like TWRP and/or root. Both give you full access to /userdata at all levels, increasing your chances of successfully recovering your files.
Factory reset: Files that have been deleted by a factory reset are due to encryption of internal storage (file based) almost unrecoverable. Wiping all data also deletes the decryption key stored in the system. During the next boot process /userdata (which is empty) gets encrypted again but with different keys.
It's not mandatory to have root permissions but you must have an unlocked bootloader.
An USB connection to your PC is not suitable to recover deleted files. Both, ADB and storage access, won't open your file system directly. There's at least one system service on your phone that manages the data transfer, e.g. MTP.
WoKoschekk said:
First of all, unlocking the bootloader will erase all data of your internal storage.
To recover deleted files you investigate your storage to find file signatures.
When deleting a file only the corresponding entry in the partition table will be erased. But the data of your file itself remains physically on your storage until it gets overwritten.
Best practice for that is to create an image file of your entire storage. But at least you will need full access to your data partition '/userdata'. That requires an unlocked bootloader to install a custom recovery like TWRP and/or root. Both give you full access to /userdata at all levels, increasing your chances of successfully recovering your files.
Factory reset: Files that have been deleted by a factory reset are due to encryption of internal storage (file based) almost unrecoverable. Wiping all data also deletes the decryption key stored in the system. During the next boot process /userdata (which is empty) gets encrypted again but with different keys.
It's not mandatory to have root permissions but you must have an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the detail info!
When I go to Developer options -> OEM unlocking, it says here "Bootloader already unlocked." So it's a good thing for proceeding further I suppose.
For TWRP installation, I checked the method but it says 'unlocking bootloader will Wipe Data.
Does installing TWRP automatically attempts to unlock bootloader (and hence the risk of wipe data?)
Here is the blog that list steps to root with TWRP and gives a bright red warning -
Root Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro SM-J730GM and Install TWRP Recovery
Easy tutorial to Root Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro SM-J730GM in easy steps. For rooting, you have to flash TWRP Recovery first through the guide.
www.androidweblog.com
So my q. is -
If I just install TWRP, does it pose a risk to automatically wipe data?
Any options in TWRP itself to recover deleted data?
The other way is to root the device using Magisk app which does not require TWRP, but a bit complicated process.
This is the blog I came across to root J7 Pro without TWRP -
Root Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro SM-J730GM/G using Magisk Without TWRP
Easy tutorial to Root Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro SM-J730GM/G in easy steps using Magisk. For rooting, you we have described Magisk method, without installing TWRP.
www.androidweblog.com
Hope TWRP method does not Wipe Data & rooting method does not brick the device.
Even if we follow all the steps properly, there is always a little chance that it may brick the device
WoKoschekk said:
An USB connection to your PC is not suitable to recover deleted files. Both, ADB and storage access, won't open your file system directly. There's at least one system service on your phone that manages the data transfer, e.g. MTP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting.
I also tried mounting the phone internal storage as a 'disk drive' (with letter) using a tool called MTPdrive but then no data recovery software recognizes it as a 'valid' partition. It says invalid.
mru007 said:
If I just install TWRP, does it pose a risk to automatically wipe data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your bootloader is already unlocked, it is very good news for you. TWRP doesn't unlock bootloader or wipe your data.
mru007 said:
Any options in TWRP itself to recover deleted data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Follow the steps properly with the correct files to root your device.
Once successfully rooted, install a good data recovery app and try to recover your lost files.
Important thing to remember is that the more files you copy or install (i.e. the more changes you make to your file system), the lesser chance there will be to recover data because the system tries to use the space occupied by deleted data to write new files to it.
So do one thing at a time and make as little changes as possible to root your phone and install the data recovery app. Do your research first to find out the best options.
All the best!
mru007 said:
Any options in TWRP itself to recover deleted data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but you could do the following when TWRP runs:
1. Download the ADB/Fastboot tools here.
2. Extract the downloaded ZIP to C:\ and open the new created folder C:\platform-tools. You should see single files like adb.exe or fastboot.exe
3. In the address bar of your Explorer windows type cmd and hit Enter.
4. Connect the phone in TWRP mode via USB to your desktop PC and execute
Code:
adb devices
which should give you a output like this:
Code:
C:\platform-tools>adb devices
* daemon not running; starting now at tcp:5037
* daemon started successfully
List of devices attached
<SERIAL_NO> recovery
If any errors then tell us!
5. Execute
Code:
adb pull /dev/block/by-name/userdata
This pulls an image of your data partition right into the current folder C:\platform-tools.
But be aware!! The data image is as big as your total internal storage!
So, make sure there is enough free space on your storage.
If you successfully pulled the image, then I will explain you how to rescue the deleted data on it.
Even if you can recover files... the file and folder structure is lost forever. Jpegs will have no exif data, no time stamp etc. It will be a real mess.
The most you can do then is search for file type, for example jpegs. A sea of juxtaposed jpegs; every bloody jpeg on the drive.
You learned a valuable lesson on how fragile digital data can be, the hard way. Why didn't you use a SD card as the data drive? All critical data should be redundantly backup at least twice in addition to the SD card.
blackhawk said:
Even if you can recover files... the file and folder structure is lost forever. Jpegs will have no exif data, no time stamp etc. It will be a real mess.
The most you can do then is search for file type, for example jpegs. A sea of juxtaposed jpegs; every bloody jpeg on the drive.
You learned a valuable lesson on how fragile digital data can be, the hard way. Why didn't you use a SD card as the data drive? All critical data should be redundantly backup at least twice in addition to the SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I learnt my lesson the hard way in 2013 or 2014, but I was eventually lucky after spending 2 sleepless nights. Lost all files on my laptop hard disc by passing a command that I didn't fully understand. After 2 days and 2 nights which looked like eternal, and trying a dozen data recovery softwares that did nothing, I eventually found one that, in hindsight, was Godsend. That software actually recovered almost every single file and was also free back then. It was then that I created a backup plan for myself and it has worked well so far.
But you missed talking about cloud backups. They are actually much more secure since they are managed professionally, although they come with some privacy concerns.
TheMystic said:
I learnt my lesson the hard way in 2013 or 2014, but I was eventually lucky after spending 2 sleepless nights. Lost all files on my laptop hard disc by passing a command that I didn't fully understand. After 2 days and 2 nights which looked like eternal, and trying a dozen data recovery softwares that did nothing, I eventually found one that, in hindsight, was Godsend. That software actually recovered almost every single file and was also free back then. It was then that I created a backup plan for myself and it has worked well so far.
But you missed talking about cloud backups. They are actually much more secure since they are managed professionally, although they come with some privacy concerns.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never use cloud except for Gmail and text messages backups. Otherwise it's backed up at least 3-6 times on different drives, in different locations including time staggered copies. I may lose some data but never all...
blackhawk said:
I never use cloud except for Gmail and text messages backups. Otherwise it's backed up at least 3-6 times on different drives, in different locations including time staggered copies. I may lose some data but never all...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's one reason why you stick with the N10+ which is the last Samsung flagship with an external SD card. Since this feature isn't coming back on future flagships, you'll either have to settle with a budget device going forward, or get the 1 TB variants of Flagships, if you want access to your entire camera roll all the time.
In either case, you'll eventually run out of storage and may have to setup your own personal cloud server, if you have the required expertise to keep it safe for online access.
Cloud is not just about backups. It is also about having access to files all the time on multiple devices.
TheMystic said:
That's one reason why you stick with the N10+ which is the last Samsung flagship with an external SD card. Since this feature isn't coming back on future flagships, you'll either have to settle with a budget device going forward, or get the 1 TB variants of Flagships, if you want access to your entire camera roll all the time.
In either case, you'll eventually run out of storage and may have to setup your own personal cloud server, if you have the required expertise to keep it safe for online access.
Cloud is not just about backups. It is also about having access to files all the time on multiple devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung. If they can't put out they will be kicked out. Another manufacturer will pick up the slack. Both Samsung and Gookill Android are a mess now; I will continue to use what fullfills my mission for the next 3+ years. No hurry here.
Currently I'm using about 510 gb of my 1tb capacity, plenty of room left. I also have 350/100gb available on internal.
With cloud you're at the mercy of your internet connection/bandwidth, always. It wastes battery and they will charge you for the "privilege" of high capacity storage.
Multiple more layers to cloud introduce new failure modes and vulnerabilities, KISS.
Lol, do you still trust Samsung servers?
In the future you will own nothing and be happy. Not me.
blackhawk said:
With cloud you're at the mercy of your internet connection/bandwidth, always. It wastes battery and they will charge you for the "privilege" of high capacity storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Internet today is cheap and convenience has a price. So it is okay.
blackhawk said:
Multiple more layers to cloud introduce new failure modes and vulnerabilities, KISS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have multiple redundancies built-in and I am positive they have systems in place to prevent catastrophe. I do use multiple cloud providers though, just in case.
blackhawk said:
do you still trust Samsung servers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the expertise to keep a personal cloud server safe online.
blackhawk said:
In the future you will own nothing and be happy. Not me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have local backups too. It's not like I'm completely dependent on them. The local backups are just backups, and I cannot access them online.
TheMystic said:
I have local backups too. It's not like I'm completely dependent on them. The local backups are just backups, and I cannot access them online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you had an SD card* you don't need to have internet access at all to do a full reload, anytime, anywhere. If you phone OS crashes the data on the SD card usually remains intact as well as in most hard display smashing drops.
A dual drive device trumps a single drive device every time.
*A OTG flashstick can be used but they are much slower. Backups can't be done in real time and one more critical piece of hardware to lose.
blackhawk said:
If you had an SD card* you don't need to have internet access at all to do a full reload, anytime, anywhere. If you phone OS crashes the data on the SD card usually remains intact as well as in most hard display smashing drops.
A dual drive device trumps a single drive device every time.
*A OTG flashstick can be used but they are much slower. Backups can't be done in real time and one more critical piece of hardware to lose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're focussing only on backups.
I'm also looking at multi-device access to all files. This is possible only with cloud, whether 3rd party or personally hosted one.
blackhawk said:
If you had an SD card* you don't need to have internet access at all to do a full reload, anytime, anywhere. If you phone OS crashes the data on the SD card usually remains intact as well as in most hard display smashing drops.
A dual drive device trumps a single drive device every time.
*A OTG flashstick can be used but they are much slower. Backups can't be done in real time and one more critical piece of hardware to lose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're focussing only on backups.
I'm also looking at multi-device access to all files. This is possible only with cloud, whether 3rd party or personally hosted one.
TheMystic said:
You're focussing only on backups.
I'm also looking at multi-device access to all files. This is possible only with cloud, whether 3rd party or personally hosted one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Android is the only internet portal I use.
My other Android only shares cloud Gmail and texting for security. My laptop internet/wifi access is always offline; completely physically firewalled. You might hack one device but never all three. All backup drives are always physically/electronically separate from the PC unless being used for backup. In the case of malware none of the backups are connected until the victim device is clean.
I've seen a Gmail account get hacked and become unrecoverable. Never had that happen to a backup hdd... in the end the only protection you have is sound data management. If you fail to do this you may lose your whole database.
blackhawk said:
Exactly. Android is the only internet portal I use.
My other Android only shares cloud Gmail and texting for security. My laptop internet/wifi access is always offline; completely physically firewalled. You might hack one device but never all three.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a very special use case. For most people, multi-device access is pretty common.
blackhawk said:
I've seen a Gmail account get hacked and become unrecoverable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As in all emails got permanently deleted? And Google couldn't help?

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