How to Easily Find & Recover Hidden Files on Android

Android devices are the most popular among many common users, given its ease of use and wide range of features. In these phones, many files and folders are hidden by the manufacturer by default. These are system files that a user does not require to access. But many times our important files also get hidden in the phone, and we are unable to locate them in times of need. This gets very frustrating, but you don't need to worry because this article will guide you through the ways you can find, view, and recover hidden files on your Android phone.

Causes That Can Delete Hidden Files On Android

There can be a lot of reasons your personal files may get hidden. Here are a few of the causes of your files/folders that could have possibly deleted hidden files on your Android device.

1. Accidental deletion

2. Installation of third-party applications from play store or any unknown sources e.g. Clean Master, Cache Cleaner, Go Speed, Power Clean, App Cache Cleaner.

3. Factory resetting your Android phone

4. Installation of any third-party anti-virus software on Android phone

How to Find & Recover Hidden Files on Android?

In case any of the above-mentioned issues occurred and now you’ve been worried and looking for ways to recover the deleted hidden files/folders on your Android, you may refer to the following methods and apply any that suits your needs. It is, however, important to understand that the files you’re trying to recover should not be overwritten. In order to make sure that won't happen, you must avoid using your Android phone and not open/install any new files or applications on your device.

Method 1. Best way to find and recover hidden files on Android - using D-Back Android

One of the best ways you can find and recover the files that have been hidden on your Android phone is through phenomenal software D-Back Android.

This software not only helps you recover the hidden files from your Android phone but also gives access if your phone got broken. It is completely virus free with a very high success rate of recovery.

Step 1. Download the software “D-Back for Android” on your laptop and then install it. Once installed, click to launch to view the various features the software has to offer.

Step 2. On the main menu, three options will be displayed. Select “Android Data Recovery”.

Step 3. On the next page, you’ll have to select the model of your Android device from which you require your hidden files to be recovered.

Step 4. Upon selection of the model of your Android phone, the software will start downloading the suitable package of the firmware. You will then be taken to a set of instructions that must be followed to put your Android phone on Download Mode.

Step 5. Now connect your Android device to the laptop, and make the selection of the data that you want to recover on the software, "Documents" in this case, and click “Next” to run the scan.

Step 6. After the scan, you’ll be able to see the results available on your Android phone. Click on the files you want to recover and then click the “Recover” button. This will save the selected files to your laptop.

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Method 2: Find hidden files on Android using ES File Explorer

“ES File Explorer” is an application available on the Google Play store which can be very helpful in the recovery of hidden files on Android. For you to use this application, it is necessary that your Android phone is in working condition from which the hidden files require recovery. Following are the steps to be followed:

Step 1. Download and install ES File Explorer on your phone from the Google Play store. Launch the application to scan your Android device for viewing the hidden and inaccessible files.

Step 2. From the menu given on the left pane, click to choose “Tools”.

Step 3. Now scroll down the list and turn on the “Show Hidden Files” option.

Once this is enabled, you’ll be able to view all the hidden files on your Android device.

If your phone is not in the working condition, you may download its Windows version on your laptop and follow the steps given below:

Step 1. Download and install the Windows version of ES File Explorer.

Step 2. Connect your Android phone to the laptop then launch the ES File Explorer software on your laptop.

Step 3. Now click “Start” to make your Android device get recognized by the software. This will now start scanning your mobile device for the existing and lost/hidden data.

Step 4. Once the scan is completed, you’ll be able to view all the recoverable files. Click to select the items that you want to be retrieved, then click on the “Recover” button and enter the destination where you want those files to be saved on your laptop.

Difference between ES File Explorer and D-Back Android: This software requires your mobile device to be rooted prior to the usage of it, whereas D-Back does not state any such requirements.

Method 3. View hidden files on Android using Default File Manager

The Android mobile device’s own default manager can also be used to access the hidden files. Steps are as below:

Step 1. Go to the default File Manager in your Android mobile.

Step 2. Click on “Menu” so as to view various options, and then select “Show Hidden Files”. This will enable you to see the hidden files.

Difference between Default File Manager and D-Back Android: Using this method may not allow you to view all the files, especially the ones hidden by the system due to the virus. Also, all items cannot be viewed or selected in one glance. This method may just allow you to simply view the hidden files, whereas D-Back allows the recovery of the files as well.

Method 4. How to unhide files on Android phone using Gallery

The hidden files can also be viewed directly by visiting the Android phone’s gallery. Steps are as follows:

Step 1. Go to your Android mobile’s default “Gallery” application.

Step 2. Click on the Gallery menu to view settings.

Step 3. Enable the hidden files by selecting “Show Hidden Files”.

Difference between using Gallery and D-Back Android: Since this method only allows you to unhide the hidden image files, D-Back is not limited in unhiding image files.

Extra Tips on How to Recover Hidden Files in Android Mobile

Stated underneath are a few helpful tips that can be used to recover hidden files from your Android device.

1. Always download any third-party application or software for the recovery of hidden files on a laptop instead of installing it on the Android device itself.

2. It is always recommended to seek professional technical support instead of trying methods on your own, because it may cause overwriting on the data and resulting in permanent data loss.

3. Use pro-recovery tools like D-Back (Android) for the retrieval of all types of hidden files.

Conclusion

There are numerous methods available online that can be used to unhide/recover the hidden files, but finding the legitimate ones is a big hassle. This article described a few methods that you may use to find, view, or recover hidden files on Android phones.

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