Did you accidentally delete that special photo or lose important videos from your phone? The good news is that all is not lost. Today, there are free 100% apps available on the Google Play Store and the App Store that can recover deleted files easily and efficiently. Below, learn about five excellent options that can help you restore deleted media with just a few taps — and you can download them right below.

1. DiskDigger

DiskDigger is a popular app among users looking to recover deleted photos, videos and other files from their cell phones. It scans the internal memory and SD cards to identify deleted files and offers the option to restore them with just a few taps.

It has two scanning modes: a simpler one for those who do not have root access to their device, and a more complete one for advanced users. The highlight is the preview of files before recovery, which helps you choose exactly what is worth restoring.

Another important difference is the ability to send recovered files directly to cloud services or email. This makes it easier to back up files immediately and prevent future losses. Even in the free version, DiskDigger is highly efficient, especially for image files.

The app is lightweight, fast and runs well even on more modest devices, without crashes or excessive battery consumption.

2. Dumpster

Dumpster acts like your phone's recycle bin, keeping a temporary copy of your deleted files so you can easily recover them later. With it, you don't have to worry about accidental deletion: the app automatically stores deleted images, videos, and documents, allowing you to restore them instantly.

It is ideal for those who want to prevent future losses. After installation, Dumpster starts working in the background, recording everything that is deleted. You can set how long files should be kept before they are permanently deleted.

Another positive point is the integration with cloud backup services, ensuring that even temporarily saved files are protected. The look is modern, with an intuitive interface and categorization by media type, which makes it easier to locate what has been deleted.

Dumpster does not require root and consumes very few system resources, making it ideal for all types of users.

3. Photo Recovery – DigDeep

Focused exclusively on image recovery, Photo Recovery – DigDeep is a practical and efficient solution. Whether you have lost photos from internal storage or SD card, this app can help with a quick and effective scan.

Once you open the application, simply start scanning. Within a few minutes, it displays a gallery with all the images that can be recovered, organized by folder. Selecting files is quick and easy, with the option to recover multiple images at once.

The great advantage of DigDeep is that it works well without root and can even find older images, even after light formatting. Its straightforward and objective operation makes it ideal for those who want fast results, without many technical adjustments.

Although it doesn't offer any extra features, its specialization in image recovery makes it one of the best options in this specific category.

4. UltData – iPhone/Android Data Recovery

UltData is a powerful and versatile option, suitable for those who need to recover more than just photos or videos. It allows you to restore messages, contacts, app files, call logs, documents and other data, working on both Android and iOS.

One of its biggest advantages is the ability to choose the type of data to be restored before scanning. This makes the process faster and more organized, as well as allowing you to focus only on what is really necessary.

Recovering WhatsApp messages and files is one of the app's great features, as is support for files lost during system updates or unexpected failures.

UltData also performs well even on devices with large volumes of data and is frequently updated to ensure compatibility with the latest versions of operating systems.

5. Dr.Fone – Data Recovery

Dr.Fone is more than just a data recovery app: it’s a complete toolkit for smartphone maintenance. With it, you can recover photos, videos, messages, contacts, app data, and more.

The app is ideal for users looking for a complete solution. It offers additional features such as backup and restore, file transfer between devices, cleaning unnecessary data, and even screen unlocking.

The recovery process is simple, with guided steps and an intuitive interface. This makes it easy to use for people without technical experience. Another highlight is the accuracy of the scan, which can locate deleted data even after formatting or system failures.

Although some features are paid, the free version already allows you to recover important media effectively. For those who want an all-in-one solution, Dr.Fone is an excellent choice.

Tips to avoid file loss in the future

While recovery apps are useful, prevention is always the best strategy. Here are some practical tips:

• Enable automatic backups: Use Google Photos, iCloud, or another cloud service to keep up-to-date copies of your media.
• Don't delay in trying to recover: The longer the time after deletion, the lower the chances of success.
• Avoid installing too many apps or taking new photos after deleting something: This may overwrite deleted data, making recovery difficult.
• Use digital trash cans: Apps like Dumpster work as a preventative measure, saving files that have been deleted by mistake.
• Keep your system up to date: Bugs in old versions of the system can cause unexpected data loss.

These simple steps can save you headaches and ensure your photos and videos are always protected.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted media from your phone doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With the right apps, you can restore lost photos, videos, and documents quickly and safely — and best of all, without paying a dime. Whether you’re looking to restore a deleted memory or prevent future losses, these tools are essential for keeping your files safe.

If you've ever lost something important, choose one of the recommended apps, install it on your device, and start the recovery process right now.