[3 Free] Recover Files with Android SD Card Recovery APK/APP

Last updated on Aug 22, 2025

Recovering files from an Android device using an SD card recovery APK is possible with freeware. Here, we present a list of free methods to restore files from your Android phone or its memory card (SD/microSD, etc.).

Important Note

Recovering files from Android devices is generally more difficult than from a Windows computer. Most Android SD card recovery apps have limited access to the file system due to security restrictions, especially on unrooted devices. In contrast, Windows offers a wide range of powerful SD card recovery software, like iCare Recovery Free, which provides deeper scanning and more reliable recovery options.

For best results, it's often more effective to remove the SD card from the Android device and perform the recovery on a Windows PC using desktop recovery tools.

Table of Contents

  1. Free Android SD Card Recovery Apps
  2. Recovering Data from SD Cards on Windows Computers Free

Part 1 - Free Android Data Recovery Apps for SD Cards

Free #1 - DiskDigger

DiskDigger can recover deleted photos and videos for free. A premium version is available for recovering deleted text messages and contacts.

Download URL: DiskDigger on Google Play

Steps to Download and Use DiskDigger for SD Card Recovery

1. Download DiskDigger

  1. Open Google Play Store on your Android device.
  2. Search for "DiskDigger" and select it from the results.
  3. Install the app by tapping the "Install" button.
  4. Open DiskDigger once installation is complete.

2. Use DiskDigger to Recover Data

  1. Grant Permissions for DiskDigger to access storage.
  2. Select Storage: Choose the SD card to scan.
  3. Start Scanning: Tap "Full Scan" or "Quick Scan" to begin.
  4. Recover Files: Review and select files to recover, then save them to a different location.DiskDiggerDiskDigger for Android Phone Recovery

Video Guide - How to Use DiskDigger:

Pros and Cons of DiskDigger for Android SD Card Recovery

Pros:

  1. Free Version Available: Recover photos and videos without cost.
  2. User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate for all users.
  3. Supports Multiple File Types: Recovers various files, including photos and videos.
  4. No PC Required: Operates directly on your Android device.
  5. Two Scanning Options: Quick scan and full scan available.
  6. Root and Non-Root Options: Advanced features for rooted devices.

Cons:

  1. Limited Free Recovery: May not recover all file types or documents.
  2. Root Access Required: Full features need root access, which can void warranties.
  3. Potential Overwriting: New data might overwrite deleted files.
  4. Performance on Older Devices: May be slow on older devices.
  5. Variable Recovery Quality: Success rate varies with data overwriting.
  6. In-App Purchases: Advanced features require a Pro version.

Looking for more Android recovery APKs? -> 5 Free Android Recovery Software

Free #2 - Restore Image

Restore Image is a reliable app designed for recovering deleted photos from your Android phone’s SD card. It offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to retrieve lost or deleted images with minimal hassle. The app scans your device's storage and recovers files that were accidentally deleted or lost due to other issues. While the app is effective for image recovery, it does have limitations in file types and may require additional permissions to function fully. Restore Image is a useful tool for quick and efficient photo recovery, especially when dealing with accidental deletions.

Download URL: Restore Image on Google Play

Restore ImageRestore Image for Android Phone Recovery

Video Guide - How to Use Restore Image:

We Recommend: Consider using Android SD card recovery software instead of APKs for deleted or lost file recovery from your SD or microSD card. Recovering data via computer is generally safer.

Note: Recovering data from an SD card on an Android phone may result in data being overwritten if the download path is set to the SD card. Additionally, recovering lost files to the same card can overwrite existing data.

How to Avoid Data Overwriting:

  • Save the APK/app file to the phone's internal memory.
  • Save recovered files to another SD card or a USB flash drive using OTG.

More apps to undelete files on Android:

Free #3 - Dumpster

Free #4 - EaseUS MobiSaver (partially free, recovers 1 file at a time)

Free #5 - Minitool Mobile Recovery Free (partially free, recovers 10 files at a time)

Looking for more information? -> 5 Free Android Recovery Software

Other tools that are not free: Recoverit, Stellar Phone Recovery, Disk Drill...

Also read: How to Format SD Card on Android Without Losing Data

Part 2 - Recovering Data from SD Cards on a PC - A Better Choice

Recovering data from an SD card using a computer is generally safer and avoids overwriting. Connect the SD card to a computer using a card adapter or card reader.

iCare Data Recovery Free is a Windows application that allows you to recover deleted files from an SD card without causing further damage.

Free Memory Card Recovery

Download

Download iCare Data Recovery Free to recover files from your mobile phone's camera memory card, including photos, videos, and music.

Recover Files

Steps to Use iCare Recovery Free to Recover Data from SD Card on Windows

Follow these steps to recover lost or deleted files from your SD card using iCare Recovery Free:

  1. Download and Install iCare Recovery Free

    Download the free version of the software. Install it on your Windows PC by following the on-screen instructions.

  2. Insert Your SD Card

    Insert the SD card into your computer using a card reader or SD card slot. Ensure that Windows recognizes the SD card and assigns it a drive letter.

  3. Launch iCare Recovery Free

    Open the iCare Recovery Free. On the main interface, you will see several recovery options such as Deleted File Recovery, Deep Scan Recovery, and Lost Partition Recovery.

  4. Select the Appropriate Recovery Mode

    Choose the recovery mode based on your situation:

    • Deleted File Recovery - for accidentally deleted files
    • Deep Scan Recovery - for formatted or inaccessible SD cards
    • Lost Partition Recovery - for partition-related issues

  5. Select Your SD Card

    Choose the SD card drive from the list of available drives and click Next to start the scanning process.

  6. Preview and Select Files

    After the scan is complete, browse through the list of recoverable files. You can preview many file types before recovery.

  7. Recover and Save Files

    Select the files you want to recover, then click on the Recover button. Choose a different drive (not the SD card) to save the recovered files.

Note: Avoid writing new data to the SD card before recovery to prevent overwriting lost files.

Need to Recover Deleted Data from an SD Card Using an APK?

Some people prefer using apps directly on their phones for deleted or lost data recovery from internal memory or an SD card. It’s more convenient to install an app on your phone than on a computer. Imagine not having to boot your computer or connect the phone to a PC to recover lost files.

While it sounds appealing, achieving this goal can be challenging and may pose risks.

Android SD Card Recovery Software vs. APK

We recommend using data recovery tools on a computer instead of APKs for recovering files from a mobile phone or SD card. APKs may cause unexpected issues with your data or phone.

Also read: Free Android Data Recovery APK Downloads

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