Have you ever had that moment of despair when you accidentally deleted all the photos and videos on your phone? Yeah… Me too. And let me tell you: it was one of the most stressful days of my life.
It was my son's birthday, and I had captured everything—his toothless smile, his friends running around the yard, his heartfelt congratulations. But one wrong click in the gallery, PUF, everything is gone.
At that moment, I felt butterflies in my stomach. "I've lost everything," I thought. But I didn't give up. I researched like crazy, tried dozens of apps, and, luckily (and with persistence), I managed to recover almost everything. all the memories.
I'll share with you how I did it, the apps that actually worked, and what I learned after nearly missing my best moments.
If you're going through something similar, take a deep breath... there's still a solution!
How It All Began: The Day I Accidentally Deleted Everything
I was organizing my phone because it was almost out of space. I started deleting repeated videos and old memes, until, in a panic, I deleted the entire event folder.
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I confess that, at the time, I was overcome with despair. I tried to find it in the gallery's trash can, but nothing. It was empty.
It was then that I started researching ways to recover deleted photos and videos from cell phone.
I watched dozens of tutorials, forums, and videos, but many of them were generic or suggested apps that didn't even work. I decided to try it out for myself.
What I Discovered: All Is Not Lost
The first thing I learned was: When you delete a file, it doesn't always disappear completely. In fact, it remains "hidden" in the phone's memory until it's overwritten. Therefore, the faster you act, the greater your chances of recovering everything.
Another thing I noticed: you don't need to be a technology expert. Just be patient and use the right apps. Below, I'll list the ones that really helped me, with direct download links.
The 5 Best Apps to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos
1. DiskDigger Photo Recovery
That was the my hero of the dayDiskDigger has a free version that deeply scans your phone's memory. It found not only birthday videos but also old photos I didn't even remember existed.
📲 Download DiskDigger Photo Recovery (Android)
💡 Tip: Use with your cell phone charged and avoid using the device during the scan.
2. Dumpster: Smart Trash Can
I really wish I had known about this app before I lost my files. Dumpster works like a recycling bin on your cell phone. In other words, everything you delete goes there before it disappears completely. After I installed it, I never again worried about accidentally deleting something.
3. UltData – Android Data Recovery (Tenorshare)
This one is a bit more technical, but it's incredibly powerful. You need to connect your phone to your PC and scan it with the program. It's ideal for those who need to recover data. older files or that were excluded a long time ago.
4. Dr.Fone – Data Recovery
This Wondershare app is super popular and has versions for Android and iOS. It's great for recovering photos, videos, WhatsApp messages and even lost contactsThe look is very user-friendly, and even those who have never used this type of tool can navigate it without any complications.
📲 Download Dr.Fone (Android/iOS)
5. EaseUS MobiSaver
If you're an iPhone user, this is one of the best options. MobiSaver scans iCloud and iTunes backups and allows you to recover files directly from your device. For me, it saved a series of videos that I thought only existed on WhatsApp.
📲 Download EaseUS MobiSaver (iOS)
Your Photos Are Your Memories
If there's one thing this experience has taught me, it's that our photos and videos are worth much more than we imagine.
They tell our story, preserve unique moments, and carry unrepeatable emotions. That's why losing everything is devastating... but fortunately, today we have a way to reverse that.
If you're experiencing this, don't be discouraged. Try the apps I shared, follow the tips, and most importantly, take good care of your files from now on.
Lessons I Learned (That You Can Avoid)
- Never underestimate the importance of a backup. Today, I use Google Photos and OneDrive set to automatically backup.
- Avoid installing random apps. Many I tested were fake or full of ads.
- The sooner you act, the greater your chances of recovery. Leaving your phone alone after the loss increases the effectiveness of apps.
- Install a “smart trash” app. They prevent future headaches.
- Some apps require root. Try the ones you don't need first (like DiskDigger and Dumpster).