Galaxy Note 2, Photo Recovery

[Zodiark1593]

For some reason I don't really know (probably a botched), my mom's phone had all her pictures and files deleted, and she wants them back. However, all the files are on the internal storage. In addition, Samsung (for whatever stupid, idiotic, excecution-worthy reason) decided to disable the USB Mass Storage mode for this phone, so my usual data recovery tools do not work.

What can I do to recover mom's data without incurring any further data damage (preferably no rooting, or any other strenuous hoop jumping).

 

[zerogear]

Recovery is probably slightly problematic without root. You can try undelete/recovery apps from the Play Store, but I wouldn't count on a high degree of recovery. -- Even with root, probably wouldn't be able to recover everything.

You may also want to try Dumpster https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.baloota.dumpster to prevent future PEBCAK deletes. (Think Recycling Bin for Android)

 

[Zodiark1593]

Recovery is probably slightly problematic without root. You can try undelete/recovery apps from the Play Store, but I wouldn't count on a high degree of recovery. -- Even with root, probably wouldn't be able to recover everything.

You may also want to try Dumpster https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.baloota.dumpster to prevent future PEBCAK deletes. (Think Recycling Bin for Android)

Getting mom an SD card for the future (I'd need to set that up too). I was able to convince her to let me root her phone though (partially for the advantage of getting rid of a load of pre-installed stuff). From there, I should be able to get a complete copy of the internal storage, and hopefully wretch the pictures from it's grasp. Given my rather slow download speed for the tools required, and work/bed schedule, I'll go forward with the recovery tomorrow. For the time being, I've advised mom not to download anything to the device, nor take pics/video.

I'm still concerned on how the files were deleted. Mom swears up and down she has not messed with the settings, so a virus might be a consideration, or a random bug. I had a similar issue with an ipod nano though, so a bug seems the more likely possibility.

 

[zerogear]

Maybe check to see if you have a brick bug?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.vinagre.android.emmc_check&hl=en

 

[drbrock]

I had all my google music memory wiped too. Happened only once but it is weird how that worked out. Still shows that it is taking up memory just that google music won't recognize it.