Have you ever had an important application accidentally deleted on your Android phone? Losing an app can be frustrating, especially if it contains critical data or is essential for everyday use. Fortunately, there are ways to retrieve lost apps on an Android phone. In this article, we’ll discuss 18 methods to recover deleted apps on Android phones.
Method 1: Check for the Deleted App in the App Drawer
The first thing to do is to check if the app is still present in the app drawer. The app drawer is where all the apps on your phone are stored. To access the app drawer, swipe up from the bottom of your phone screen. If you see the deleted app in the app drawer, click and hold on it, then drag it to the home screen.
Method 2: Utilize the Google Play Store
If the method above didn’t work, the next step is to use the Google Play Store. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
- Tap the three lines in the upper left corner for the menu.
- Select “My apps & games.”
- Tap on “Installed.”
- Scroll through the list of apps to see if the deleted app is there.
- Tap on the app to install it again.
Method 3: Use the Google Play Store Website
If you can’t find the deleted app on your phone’s Google Play Store app, you can try the Google Play Store website (play.google.com).
- Access the Google Play Store website on your desktop computer or laptop.
- Click on the three lines in the upper left corner to access the menu.
- Select “My apps & games.”
- Click on “Library.”
- Look for the deleted app and click on the “Install” button to reinstall it.
Method 4: Check If the App Is Hidden
Before you assume that the app is deleted, it’s worth checking if it is hidden. Here’s how to see if this is the case:
- Tap and hold on a blank space on the home screen of your phone.
- Choose the “Widgets” option.
- Scroll down and tap on the “Settings shortcut” widget.
- Select “App info.”
- Scroll through the list of apps and see if the deleted app is disabled or hidden. If it is, click to enable it again.
Method 5: Check for Your Google Account
If the app is not present in the app drawer, Google Play Store, or is not hidden, you may want to check your Google account. Here’s what to do:
- Visit the Google Play Store website (play.google.com) on your desktop computer or laptop.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Click on the three lines in the upper left corner.
- Select “My account.”
- Scroll down the page and select “Order History.”
- Find the deleted app and click on the “Install” button to reinstall it.
Method 6: Look for a Backup Copy of the App
If you have an automatic backup system on your phone, you may be able to retrieve the deleted app through that. Here’s what to do:
- Go to the Google Drive website (drive.google.com).
- Log in to your Google account.
- Click on the search bar and type in the name of the deleted app.
- Check if you have a backup copy of the app. If you do, click on the “Download” button to get it back.
Method 7: Check Your Cloud Storage
Another place to check for app backups is your cloud storage system. Here’s how to do it:
- Access your cloud storage service (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud).
- Search for the deleted app.
- Check if you have a backup copy of the app. If you do, click on the “Download” button to get it back.
Method 8: Use a Third-Party App
If none of the above methods work, you can use a third-party app to recover your deleted apps. There are several third-party apps available on the Google Play Store that can do this. Here are some examples:
- Undeleter
- MyJad Android Data Recovery
- Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android)
- Restore Image (Super Easy)
These apps allow you to recover not only deleted apps but also other types of data, like photos, videos, and documents. However, keep in mind that using these apps may not always be successful, and there is a risk of losing more data in the process.
Method 9: Restore a Device Backup
If you have made a backup copy of your phone previously, you may be able to restore the deleted apps that way. Here’s how to do it:
- Access your device backup system.
- Choose the backup copy that contains the deleted app.
- Select the deleted app and restore it to your phone.
Method 10: Use Samsung Cloud
If you have a Samsung phone, you can use the Samsung Cloud service to restore deleted apps. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the “Settings” app on your phone.
- Click on “Accounts and Backup.”
- Select “Samsung Cloud.”
- Click on “Restore Data.”
- Select the deleted app and restore it to your phone.
Method 11: Check Your Device’s Recycle Bin
Some Android devices have a recycle bin feature that stores deleted apps and files for a certain period before they are permanently deleted. Here’s how to check if this feature is available on your phone:
- Access your device’s file manager app.
- Look for the “Recycle Bin” or “Trash” option.
- Find the deleted app and restore it to your phone.
Method 12: Use a File Explorer
If you have a rooted Android phone, you can use a file explorer app to recover deleted apps. A file explorer app allows you to access the system files on your phone and retrieve deleted apps that were stored there. Here are some examples of file explorer apps:
- ES File Explorer
- Root Explorer
- MT Manager
- Solid Explorer
Keep in mind that rooting your phone can void your warranty and is not recommended for beginners.
Method 13: Use the Recuva App for PC
If you have a Windows PC, you can use the Recuva app to recover deleted apps from your Android phone. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect your Android phone to your PC using a data cable.
- Download and install the Recuva app on your PC.
- Launch the Recuva app and select your Android phone as the target device.
- Scan for deleted files and apps on your Android phone.
- Select the deleted app and click on the “Restore” button to recover it to your phone.
Method 14: Use ADB to Recover Deleted Apps
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a command-line tool that allows you to control your Android phone’s functions from your computer. Here’s how to use ADB to recover deleted apps:
- Connect your Android phone to your PC using a data cable.
- Enable USB debugging on your phone by going to “Settings > Developer options.”
- Download and install the ADB tool on your PC.
- Launch the ADB tool and enter the following command:
adb shell pm list packages -f. - Scroll through the list of packages until you find the deleted app.
- Enter the following command to reinstall the deleted app:
adb install <package-name>.apk.
Method 15: Use EaseUS MobiSaver for Android
Another third-party app that can help you recover deleted apps is EaseUS MobiSaver for Android. Here’s how to use it:
- Download and install EaseUS MobiSaver for Android on your PC.
- Connect your Android phone to your PC using a data cable.
- Launch EaseUS MobiSaver for Android and click on “Start” to begin the scanning process.
- Preview the deleted apps and select the one you want to recover.
- Click on the “Recover” button to restore the deleted app to your phone.
Method 16: Use Dr. Fone – Phone Backup (Android)
Dr. Fone – Phone Backup (Android) is another app that can help you recover deleted apps. Here’s how to use it:
- Download and install Dr. Fone – Phone Backup (Android) on your PC.
- Connect your Android phone to your PC using a data cable.
- Launch Dr. Fone – Phone Backup (Android) and click on “Phone Backup.”
- Select the deleted app and click on “Restore.”
- Wait for the app to be restored on your phone.
Method 17: Restore from a Manufacturer’s Backup
If you have a phone from a major manufacturer like Samsung, LG, or HTC, they may offer a backup system that stores copies of your data and apps. Here’s how to check if this feature is available:
- Go to your phone’s settings app.
- Select “System > Backup.”
- Check if there is an option to restore the deleted app from the manufacturer’s backup.
Method 18: Contact the App Developer
Finally, if none of the above methods work, you can try reaching out to the app developer for assistance. They may have a solution to restore the deleted app that is specific to their app.
FAQs
1. Can I recover a deleted app if I don’t have a backup?
Yes, you can recover a deleted app even if you don’t have a backup. There are several methods you can try, like using the Google Play Store, third-party apps, or device backups. However, keep in mind that these methods may not always be successful, and there is a risk of losing more data in the process.
2. Will restoring a device backup erase my current data?
Yes, restoring a device backup will erase your current data and replace it with the data from the backup. That’s why it’s important to back up your phone regularly and before attempting a restore. Make sure you are restoring the correct backup and that it does not contain any corrupt or infected files.
