[Q] Recover Deleted SD Card Files - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I accidentally deleted all of the photos off my GS4's SD card. I have unmounted and removed the SD card to prevent overwriting and now I'm in a panic basically to figure out how to get everything back. I have done endless searches on the Internet and have downloaded software that it's working for me.
I have a Mac, so I need Mac-compatible software. I have tired EaseUS and Wondershare, but neither of them will pick up my phone. I don't know why. Debugging is turned on, but it only show's my Mac's hard drive and never my phone. I need a software for Mac that will allow me to just connect my phone and search for the deleted files. I have tried looking for an Android app that would work, but they all require root and I'm not rooted.
I know there are threads on this on a million sites, but I haven't found anything to help me. But it's also 2 am and I'm a girl that doesn't know much about tech stuff. If anyone has any advice on how I can retrieve all of my pictures or at least some of them, your help is greatly appreciated.

Related

Desperate for Help !!!!

Hello,
I've broke my Blackstone's display and the problem is that I haven't backed up my contacts, calendar etc, and things get worse. I've set up that when I plug the usb it goes automaticly to storage mode, and the result is that I can't in anyway sync my phone. I wonder can I copy let's say the rom itself and copy it to another htc get the contacts or I don't know.
ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED
THANK YOU
I don't know if this will help, but have you tried removing the SD Card from the device to prohibit it going into Storage mode?. If this works and you can gain access to the phone via USB, try MyMobiler or something similar to operate the device as you need, and try do your backups that way.
I've tried removing the sd card and it didn't work. It's just not activating activesync.
ANY OTHER IDEAS WILL BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED
Not sure if this would work as I haven't tried it. Delete mobile device from activesync on your pc so there is no connections setup. Remove sd card from phone and reset device. Then try connecting it to pc without sd card.
Once again I haven't tried this, may just do as before

[Q] How do you properly transfer files while booted into android?

Hi as title says I want to know how to transfer files propelry while booted into android kernel.
For example when you plug in your phone vai USB and use as card reader I can easily transfer files to and from but the problem is that when I unplug and go to view these files on phone the file system hasn't updated and I cant locate them on card.
Ive tried the unmount feature aswell as a hot reboot but nothing. Only way I can seem to do it is to power off and then boot back into android.
Is there any easier way or procedure that I need to follow?
TheATHEiST said:
Hi as title says I want to know how to transfer files propelry while booted into android kernel.
For example when you plug in your phone vai USB and use as card reader I can easily transfer files to and from but the problem is that when I unplug and go to view these files on phone the file system hasn't updated and I cant locate them on card.
Ive tried the unmount feature aswell as a hot reboot but nothing. Only way I can seem to do it is to power off and then boot back into android.
Is there any easier way or procedure that I need to follow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
best bet is to load the files in winmo then boot into android
Dude that wasnt my question, obviously I can do that, thats not the point.
My question was the best way to transfer files while booted into android, if it possible then obviously booting into windows and back to android every time you want to move/access files isnt the "best" way and its inconvient.
I appreciate your reply but your answer was irelivant unless its the ONLY way which I doubt (well hope)
Does anybody have a solution?
As of now, the only good way to transfer files is indeed through WinMo (or with a MicroSD USB reader, with phone powered off or in WinMo). Most Android builds support USB Mass Storage, but I haven't heard of one that handles it perfectly (which isn't too surprising, considering Android runs -sort of- from the SD card).
So in short, no there is no other way at this moment that I know of.
Edit: There is a way: through WiFi! There are some applications available on the market that turn your phone into an FTP-server, I use Websharing (Lite) for this. They don't need an unmounted SD card, so they'll probably solve your problem.
StephanV said:
Edit: There is a way: through WiFi! There are some applications available on the market that turn your phone into an FTP-server, I use Websharing (Lite) for this. They don't need an unmounted SD card, so they'll probably solve your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I was thinking more of teh same route, Ive been using drop box for the moment but FTP server would be much better.
I was hoping there would be a solution to been able to access teh files that have been sent via mass storage mode but this could be just as good.
thnx for suggestion.
This is not a quickfix, but I was frustrated with the same problem last night when I was trying to locate the files that I just transferred to the phone. I noticed that unmounting, and remounting doesn't refresh the folders in the system. But I managed to find the transferred files after unmounting the sd card, and then browsing to the root sd card path instead of the mounted partition.
So, instead of mnt/sdcard/ you should look for the files in /sdcard after unmounting the card. See if that works, at least it worked for me last night.
Use droid explorer

[Q] Need Help. Phone Bricked

I was following this guide to root, install a custom recovery, and then flash a ROM onto my phone. I rooted successfully and created a back up. I then copied the backup onto my external sd card. I then put the custom rom onto my sd card and entered recovery mode on CWM. I wiped my device and then realized that the custom rom was the incorrect file. I then went to restore and it gave me an error md5 mismatch. I then went to restore of external sd card and it said it could not find the directory. I then went to restart phone and CWM said I was not rooted anymore and asked if I wanted root access and I hit yes.
My phone will not start and just remains in the Samsung loading screen with an unlocked graphic with the words "custom" under it. I am able to get back into CWM recovery but nothing else seems to work. I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks
domisterwoozy said:
I was following this guide to root, install a custom recovery, and then flash a ROM onto my phone. I rooted successfully and created a back up. I then copied the backup onto my external sd card. I then put the custom rom onto my sd card and entered recovery mode on CWM. I wiped my device and then realized that the custom rom was the incorrect file. I then went to restore and it gave me an error md5 mismatch. I then went to restore of external sd card and it said it could not find the directory. I then went to restart phone and CWM said I was not rooted anymore and asked if I wanted root access and I hit yes.
My phone will not start and just remains in the Samsung loading screen with an unlocked graphic with the words "custom" under it. I am able to get back into CWM recovery but nothing else seems to work. I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can either use a MicroSD to SD adpater and the computer's card reader to copy a ROM over and flash it, or ODIN back to stock, and start over.
Ol' Dirty Bastard said:
You can either use a MicroSD to SD adpater and the computer's card reader to copy a ROM over and flash it, or ODIN back to stock, and start over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Much better. Was that so hard? Thank you for details.
(jab)
Any ideas why it cannot find directory when I try to restore from my external sd card.
write protected
domisterwoozy said:
Any ideas why it cannot find directory when I try to restore from my external sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clueless here. Made a post about it.
I just discovered today more than just myself are unable to plug the handset into a computer to exchange files. I can get things off the phone onto the computer, but not vice versa.
Also the handset itself is fussy when it comes to viewing it's own external SD card. It would seem it doesn't take much for it to disappear, once in recovery.
fukenbiker said:
Clueless here. Made a post about it.
I just discovered today more than just myself are unable to plug the handset into a computer to exchange files. I can get things off the phone onto the computer, but not vice versa.
Also the handset itself is fussy when it comes to viewing it's own external SD card. It would seem it doesn't take much for it to disappear, once in recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This phone does not support mass USB storage. It uses MTP and PTP protocols. This information is available in several threads in the forum. Now, of course, even with MTP and PTP you should be able to still transfer files from a PC to the Ext. SD card considering you have the correct drivers. Perhaps your SD card isn't playing nice with your phone? Have you tried removing the card from your phone and transferring files to it dierectly from you PC via SD slot or card reader? Have you tried other brands? I find Samsung cards work best, but that is just me, This will help to see if it is the phone (possibly cable) or the card that is having issues.
Also, you can check this out. It supposedly enables Mass USB storage for this phone...though it still says it doesn't work for the Ext. SD card. I have never tried it, so if you do it is at your own risk but maybe it will help? Good luck.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mohammadag.samsungusbmassstorageenabler
The app says it is for the SIII, but people have reported it as working with the S4 as well.
thank you
scott14719 said:
This phone does not support mass USB storage. It uses MTP and PTP protocols. This information is available in several threads in the forum. Now, of course, even with MTP and PTP you should be able to still transfer files from a PC to the Ext. SD card considering you have the correct drivers. Perhaps your SD card isn't playing nice with your phone? Have you tried removing the card from your phone and transferring files to it dierectly from you PC via SD slot or card reader? Have you tried other brands? I find Samsung cards work best, but that is just me, This will help to see if it is the phone (possibly cable) or the card that is having issues.
Also, you can check this out. It supposedly enables Mass USB storage for this phone...though it still says it doesn't work for the Ext. SD card. I have never tried it, so if you do it is at your own risk but maybe it will help? Good luck.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mohammadag.samsungusbmassstorageenabler
The app says it is for the SIII, but people have reported it as working with the S4 as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am too happy to experiment like that. The AT&T S4 running GoldenEye with no add ons is the best darn handset I've ever enjoyed. I love being rid of the bloatware. I don't miss it a bit. I will fuss around with the SD interface as I do have resources like you mentioned, I can try a different chip. I didn't consider that a bad chip would cause the computer to consider the entire handset as "read only", yet you suggest it's possible?
fukenbiker said:
I am too happy to experiment like that. The AT&T S4 running GoldenEye with no add ons is the best darn handset I've ever enjoyed. I love being rid of the bloatware. I don't miss it a bit. I will fuss around with the SD interface as I do have resources like you mentioned, I can try a different chip. I didn't consider that a bad chip would cause the computer to consider the entire handset as "read only", yet you suggest it's possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anything is possible and it would be a simple way to maybe help identify where the problem lies. Better yet, take your sd card out of your phone and try a transfer. That will let you know if it has anything to do with it. If it still doesn't work, it more than likely has nothing to do with the SD card.
Can you transfer files from your External SD card to your phones internal SD memory and the other way around (via a file manager on your phone)?
If you can, I can't see how it would be a "read' only problem.
scott14719 said:
Anything is possible and it would be a simple way to maybe help identify where the problem lies. Better yet, take your sd card out of your phone and try a transfer. That will let you know if it has anything to do with it. If it still doesn't work, it more than likely has nothing to do with the SD card.
Can you transfer files from your External SD card to your phones internal SD memory and the other way around (via a file manager on your phone)?
If you can, I can't see how it would be a "read' only problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should unhook my phone from the 3.5mm jack and look into this. As I type, my S4 is piping in my playlist to provide the wife and I musical background for our activities. I remember using "Root Explorer" recently to delete a nandroid backup, and to move said playlist off the SD card into Phone memory. The "write protected" error showed up directly after building this playlist, using the computer to organize it. It's brand new, and as a good troubleshooter, we always look at the last thing you did different. I used the "windows explorer" to edit my playlist on the phone while it was plugged up together.
It's turning out to be a bigger deal than just myself, and I should pursue your recommendation for testing and reports, but it's not broken enough to fix and it's Sunday night, and the music is more important at this juncture.
Edit:
I powered down and then removed the Micro SD, and when I powered back up, it showed that cool padlock icon with the label "Custom" screen during boot up. I hadn't seen that screen on boot up since I used Casual to get a TWRP recovery.
I tethered the handset to the Desktop and opened the windows explorer. Obviously it just showed phone this time, instead of phone and card. I tested copying files and it worked fine, the "write protected" error was gone.
I unhooked, powered down, put the micro SD card back in, powered up and noted the boot up screen was back to normal. Tethered up again and voila! Files can be written to the phone and or the card and no more "write protected" error.
Funny little fluke. Problem solved. Curiosity remains.

Device Storage DCIM Folder Disappeared

Hello everyone,
I've searched endlessly on this topic with no luck. If there are any posts on XDA that relate to this issue, please do refer me to them.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 phone. A few days ago, I realize that the DCIM folder has disappeared from my gallery. I do not have a micro SD card installed, so the DCIM folder is on the device storage. I've tried using recovery software such as "Jihosoft Android Phone Recovery" and "Wondershare Dr.Fone for Android", but I get loads of connectivity issues. I've tried using them on another S4 where only Jihosoft's worked, yet there are loads of deleted photos that do not appear.
Anyway, I am not asking about how to use such software, I just want to know if there is any efficient and solid way of dealing with this issue. It really bugs me to have valuable photos disappearing in thin air. Please and thanks !
-Kevin
Is the folder present when browsing with a file explorer?
That is basically an essential folder. Even if you delete it, android will create it again. So it doesn't just disappear.
try and do as little as possible that will make the phone write to your internal memory aka downloads (apps should be ok as it's in a different partition). if you do you are possibly overwriting a photo making it impossible to recover. I tried an app called dumpster recycle a few years back, I was impressed at the time at what it could recover...
http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.baloota.dumpster
Internal storage files can't be recovered due to something called trimming.
I don't know if this has changed with the recent android versions.
never thought about that, yes trim effectively formats deleted files...
I saw a guide on how to do it some time ago, so it is possible. But it seemed like you have to go through a lot of trouble for this.

internal and external memory got wiped / including all my data.

Hi guys,
First of all, great forum and great place to learn a lot of stuff about ROM's.
I have been using the forums here for a while.
Now I have a problem with my Galaxy S 4.
Galaxy s4 :gt- i9505 (Beglium)
16Gb version
Custom Rom: optimized cm 12.1 -20160118
android 5.1.1
I had some problems playing my music files on the phone, so i connected the phone to my PC.
I deleted my MUSIC folder from my EXTERNAL card.
Then I saw There are a lot more random folders in the ROOT of my EXTERNAL card.
So I deleted the LOG files, some maps that where for AD's (like GO sms), etc.
As far as I know, I did not delete any system files or folders.
While I was in the external card, connected to the PC, I saw that my INTERNAL card had wheeeeyyy much more free space than 5 minutes before. ( normally 0.9Gb free... suddenly 5.72GB free)
So i disconnected the phone and reconnected it again.
Again same thing.
Again disconnected it and on the phone I could not find ANY FILES, NO pictures, No downloads, NOTHING
Basically, my INTERNAL and my EXTERNAL are fully wiped.
with easeUS data recovery I can see all my files and maps on the external, BUT almost all of them are corrupted.
I can not recover them/ preview them.
I have not tried the internal memory yet. It is now doing a DEEP SCAN on the EXTERNAL card, connected to my PC via a SD Card Adapter.
Any possibilities to save something from the external and the internal memory ?
Everything else works normally.
My apps work, my contacts are ok.
PC is set to show hidden and system files => nothing to see
Recycle been on the phone is empty
used some recovery apps from the play store => nothing
Many thanks in advance.
PS: I have already done a search, also on google. But could not find anything useful.
Try Deleter.
I run easeUS recovery all night on the external memory.
Got back 5% of my pictures.
Most ara corrupted.
Same story for the internal memory.
Other suggestions, tips are welcome.
If the data was deleted corrupted then it might be restored corrupted.
I suggest, from now on, to upload your photos Google's servers with the Google Photos app.
You have unlimited storage for photos up to a certain quality.
Yep, i have installed google drive.
Sh#t has happened
Will try to use some other applications for recovery.
Had some pictures i needed.
Any names of really good software to recover sd card of internal memory ?
I told you, if the data was wiped in a corrupted state, then it will be restored in a corrupted stated. Because that's how it was the last time before it was deleted. It's like a checkpoint in a game. If you die, you will revive at the checkpoint in the same state you were when you reached that checkpoint.
You could give Deleter a try. But it won't magically repair corrupted data.
Try a program called recuva: https://www.piriform.com/recuva
audit13 said:
Try a program called recuva: https://www.piriform.com/recuva
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I won't recommend it. It failed to recover two videos from my SD card that I needed to recover for investigation purposes, even when status of these files were Excellent. After restored, these files were corrupted. The same thing went on my .OGG file that was deleted accidentally by dBpoweramp before Vorbis Comments ID Tag was applied.
Even my friend said that Recuva was unable to recover her deleted photos as it should be. Yeah, the same thing, corrupted.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00A using XDA Labs
I have used recuva many times but, as with any software, it really depends on the state of the data at the time the software is run.
When one is desparate to recover files, I recommend trying as many programs as possible.
Hey guys.
Today i will try many different software.
I am trying to find a way to mount my internal storage as a drive with a driveLetter, so i can scan it.
Now its mte/umte or something like that.
So it has no driveletter.
Hey guys.
I managed to retrieve some pictures from the sd card.
Software i used.
[email protected]
EAsuse
Foenix recovery
For the internal memory.
Digdeeper
And some other ones on play store.
Just search for " photo recovey".
Maybe someone can use the names, if they get in the same situation as me.
Thx for the tips guys!

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