Is there an Android app that can recover photos after formatting an SD card or storage device?

Recover File is designed specifically to address data loss from formatted storage, a common and stressful scenario for Android users. Whether a microSD card was accidentally formatted in-camera or a device's internal storage was reset, the app attempts to rebuild the file structure to locate deleted photos. Its primary tool for this task is a deep scan function that searches storage at a low level for file signatures, bypassing the standard directory listing that appears empty after a format. A key feature here is the ability to filter scan results by file type, letting users focus solely on JPEG, PNG, or other image formats amidst potentially thousands of recovered files. The preview function is critical, as it allows verification of a photo's contents before committing to a recovery, saving time and storage space.

In practical use, a user who formatted an SD card meant for a camera could connect the card to their Android device via an adapter, run the scan, and potentially salvage vacation photos. Reviews indicate the process can be lengthy for larger storage capacities, and recovery rates vary depending on how much new data has been written over the formatted space. A notable limitation is that some deeper recovery operations on internal storage may require root access, which isn't feasible for all users. While interface elements can feel slightly dated, the core functionality for this specific, high-stakes use case remains effective for many.