How to Recover Deleted SHAREit Files on Android and iPhone

Before trying recovery software, make sure the file has not simply been moved or hidden.

On Android:

1. Open your phone's Files or File Manager app.
2. Check the Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Movies, and other media folders.
3. Look for a folder named SHAREit or a similar transfer-related folder.
4. Search for the original file name or file extension.
5. Open the file if you find it to confirm that it still works.

The exact storage location can vary by SHAREit version, Android version, and device manufacturer.

If the missing item is a photo or video:

1. Open your Gallery or Photos app.
2. Check the albums list.
3. Look for a SHAREit album or another folder containing transferred media.
4. Check whether the album is hidden or excluded from the main gallery view.

A file may still exist in storage even if it no longer appears in the gallery.

Some Android file managers and gallery apps provide a Recently Deleted or Trash folder. Deleted files may remain there temporarily before permanent removal.

1. Open your Gallery or Photos app.
2. Find Trash, Recently Deleted, or Recycle Bin.
3. Look for the deleted photo or video.
4. Select the file and choose Restore if available.

You can also check your phone's file manager for a Trash or Recycle Bin section.

The retention period depends on the app and device. If the file is no longer in the recycle bin, move on to backup options.

If the file was saved to the Photos app:

1. Open Photos.
2. Go to Recently Deleted.
3. Authenticate if requested.
4. Select the photos or videos you want to restore.
5. Tap Recover.

For files saved in the Files app, check Browse and look for Recently Deleted.

Files in these locations are only recoverable while they remain within the applicable retention period and have not been permanently deleted.

If the deleted file is no longer in a recycle bin, a backup may be the most reliable recovery option.

For Android users:

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Sign in to the Google Account used when the file was backed up.
3. Search for the missing photo or video.
4. Check the Trash folder if the item was deleted from Google Photos.
5. Restore it if the option is available.

Only files that were backed up or are still in the relevant trash can be restored this way.

For iPhone users:

1. Open Settings and check which Apple Account is signed in.
2. Open Photos and check whether iCloud Photos is enabled.
3. Open the Photos app and search for the missing item.
4. Check Recently Deleted.

If you use iCloud backups, understand that restoring an entire device backup may replace current device data. Review the backup date and consider the consequences before proceeding.

You may also have another copy on:

• A Windows or Mac computer
• An external hard drive
• A USB flash drive
• A cloud storage account
• Another phone that originally sent the file

If the original sender still has the file, asking them to send it again is often the simplest solution.

Sometimes, but recovery is not guaranteed.

SHAREit is primarily used to transfer files between devices. It does not guarantee that a separate recoverable copy will remain after a received file is deleted from your phone.

Your chances depend on several factors:

• Whether the file was backed up before deletion
• Whether it remains in a Recently Deleted folder
• Whether the original sender still has a copy
• Whether the storage space has been reused
• The phone's operating system and storage encryption

Modern Android and iPhone devices use storage management and security features that can make recovery of permanently deleted files difficult or impossible.

Be cautious with recovery apps that promise to restore every deleted file. Some may only find cached thumbnails or existing copies rather than recover the original file.

If you accidentally delete an important file, take these steps:

1. Stop downloading or transferring unnecessary files to the phone.
2. Avoid installing several recovery apps that may write additional data to storage.
3. Check the recycle bin and backup services first.
4. Check the original sending device for another copy.
5. If the file is important, consider getting help from a reputable data recovery specialist.

These steps may reduce unnecessary changes to the device, but they cannot guarantee recovery.

Not every missing file has actually been deleted. Here are some common explanations.

A transfer may have been interrupted by a lost connection, low storage space, or an app error. Check whether the file exists on the receiving device before attempting recovery.

Different devices and app versions may use different storage locations. Search the file manager rather than relying only on the gallery.

Storage cleaners and file management apps may remove downloaded or transferred files. Check their recycle bins and review their cleanup settings.

Some file formats or folders may not appear in the main gallery view. Use a file manager to search for the file directly.

Deleting a received copy does not necessarily affect the original file on the sender's phone. Ask the sender to check their device.

A few simple habits can reduce the risk of losing important transferred files:

• Back up important photos and videos regularly.
• Keep a second copy of important documents on a computer or cloud storage service.
• Check that a transfer has completed before deleting the original.
• Avoid using automatic cleanup tools on folders containing important files.
• Organize received files into clearly named folders.
• Open important files after transfer to confirm that they are usable.

For important transfers, keeping a second copy is safer than relying on the transfer app as a backup service.

SHAREit makes it convenient to move files between devices, but file transfer is not the same as file backup. If an important file disappears, start with your phone's recycle bin and existing backups before trying third-party recovery tools.

For future transfers, keep another copy of important photos, videos, and documents in a separate storage location.