Photo Recovery Plus & File icon
Photo Recovery Plus & File: A Hands-On Review of Its Data Salvage Capabilities

by Metaphorus Igniters

3.3
ANDROIDTools
Designed to help Android users retrieve accidentally deleted photos, documents, and other files. This app scans device storage for recoverable data, offering a potential safety net for common mishaps. User experiences, however, present a mixed picture regarding its consistency and ease of use.

Detailed Review

In the crowded field of Android utility apps, Photo Recovery Plus & File by Metaphorus igniters positions itself as a solution for one of the most common digital mishaps: accidental file deletion. The app promises to scan internal storage and, where possible, SD cards to locate and restore deleted images, videos, documents, and archives. Its market position is that of a readily accessible, post-deletion tool, competing with both built-in device trash folders and more advanced desktop recovery software. The core functionality hinges on deep scanning technology that looks for file signatures and residual data. Users can typically filter scans by file type—such as JPG, PNG, MP4, PDF, or ZIP—to narrow down results. A critical technical note is that successful recovery without root access is heavily dependent on whether the operating system has overwritten the data sectors. For recently deleted items, the chances are generally higher. The process involves initiating a scan, previewing found items (a feature sometimes limited in free versions), and selecting files for restoration to a user-specified folder. In practical use, the interface is straightforward but can feel dated. Navigation is simple, with clear buttons to start scans and view results. Performance varies significantly between devices; scans on larger internal storage can be time-consuming. A notable limitation is that Android's security restrictions, particularly post-version 10, often prevent deep access to certain directories without root permissions, which can limit the app's effectiveness. Real-world scenarios where it might prove useful include recovering a photo deleted minutes ago before a backup syncs, or pulling an important document from a removable SD card. User feedback trends, reflected in its middling 3.3-star rating, highlight a polarized experience. Some reviews indicate successful recoveries of cherished family photos, praising the app for working when others failed. Others report frustration with the app failing to find any files after lengthy scans, or with intrusive ad placements in the free version interrupting the recovery flow. A common point of criticism is the promise of functionality that the device's own OS restrictions ultimately block, leading to unmet expectations. Overall, Photo Recovery Plus & File serves a clear purpose but comes with important caveats. Its primary strength is offering a direct, on-device attempt at file recovery without requiring a computer. The main drawbacks are the inherent limitations imposed by modern Android security and inconsistent results across different device models. For users with older devices or those who frequently use removable storage, it may be worth a cautious try. For critical data recovery, especially on newer phones, professional services or pre-emptive cloud backups remain more reliable strategies.

Key Features

  • Deep Storage Scan: Analyzes internal memory and SD cards for traces of deleted files including photos, videos, and documents, searching by known file signatures.
  • File Type Filtering: Allows users to narrow scan results to specific formats like images (JPG, PNG) or videos (MP4, AVI) to streamline the recovery process.
  • Preview Before Recovery: Enables viewing of recoverable thumbnails for images and details for other files, helping verify content before restoring.
  • SD Card Support: Extends recovery attempts to external removable storage, which often has a higher success rate than internal device storage.
  • Simple Restoration: Recovers selected files to a user-chosen destination folder on the device, avoiding overwriting existing data.

Why Users Love It

Direct on-device operation
Supports SD card recovery

Perfect for: Android users who have recently deleted files and lack a current backup, particularly those using devices with expandable storage.

Screenshots

Photo Recovery Plus & File screenshot 1Photo Recovery Plus & File screenshot 2Photo Recovery Plus & File screenshot 3Photo Recovery Plus & File screenshot 4Photo Recovery Plus & File screenshot 5

App Details

Developer

Metaphorus Igniters

Platform

android

Rating

3.3

Last Updated

12/8/2025