Nowadays, all the latest Android phones provide lots of storage space but still, users need more space and for this, they use external SD card to expand the storage space on Android smartphones.
When Android users manage the files on their device then they get a folder named LOST.DIR. in their device or SD memory card. Most people often wonder how to retrieve photos or video files from LOST.DIR on Android SD card. This guide will help you to recover photos or video files and many other things related to LOST.DIR files.
What Is LOST.DIR Folder On An Android SD Card?
LOST.DIR is a folder generated by Android Operating System that is just like recycle bin on a Windows computer. It lets you recover lost files like videos, photos, audios, and more data. Most of the time, while saving these files or when the read-write process is in process and in between your smartphone gets turned off, you pull the SD memory card. In this case, your device creates a LOST.DIR folder to save your files and you can retrieve them when your phone power on.
There are some other causes that can force this folder to create on your Android. They are mentioned below.
- Any type of disturbance while downloading the applications.
- If Android OS freeze or crash suddenly.
- Ejection of Android SD card.
- Sudden flashback of running apps.
Additional Reading: How To Fix Android USB Device Not Recognized But Charging Problem
Reasons: Why LOST.DIR Folder Gets Deleted From Android?
Here are some of the common reasons why photos or videos get deleted from LOST.DIR on Android. They include:
- Deletion: Many people don’t know what the LOST.DIR folder is for and they think that it is a virus or some unimportant folder that is eating the phone’s storage space. And they unknowingly delete the LOST.DIR folder to clean up their Android SD card.
- Corruption: When you continuously pull out the SD card without ejecting it properly then it can result in data corruption and other problems. It can also corrupt the LOST.DIR folder and make entire data inaccessible.
- Formatting: When you format the external SD card then accidentally LOST.DIR folder gets deleted by you. Before formatting it, users copy their important files but some people don’t remember to check this directory too.
Is It Possible To Recover Photos/Videos From LOST.DIR On Android SD Card?
The LOST.DIR file is created on its own while booting up Android devices. When your phone starts again then all the cache data are restored to your device. As the folder is blank in a few cases and in this situation, if you wish to delete it then it can be deleted very easily.
But when your phone restarts then you will get this folder again. So, it is possible to retrieve lost.dir folder on Android phone.
Now, we will learn the methods to recover lost/deleted videos/photos files from LOST.DIR on Android SD Card.
Additional Reading: How Do I Recover Deleted Photos/Videos From Audio Manager?
Method 1: Retrieve Video/Photo File From LOST.DIR Via Adding File Extension
You can recover the picture or video file from LOST.DIR SD card by adding a file extension for LOST.DIR files. This will identify the file and will run the file with some type of software that you wish to view.
Most of the time, your files fail to open with specific software, and when the LOST.DIR folder is removed by the filename extension of a file then it will not open the file.
Hence, you can recover image or video files from your LOST.DIR on Android SD card.
Here, follow the steps to proceed.
Step 1: On your Android phone go to File Manager, find the LOST.DIR folder by searching filename.
Step 2: There, you need to look for lost.dir files to rename them. After this, add any extension, for example (filename.extension) Video.mov, Image.jpg, etc.
When you complete adding desired file extension to the deleted/lost directory files, you can try to open them.
If, you don’t get the LOST.DIR folder or files on your SD memory card then you need to use the third-party Recover (Android) software which is mentioned in the next solution.
Additional Reading: Recover Permanently Deleted Photos From Google Photos On Android
Method 2: Recover Picture/Video File From LOST.DIR On Android SD Card
You can use professional Recover (Android) software to recover deleted videos or images from LOST.DIR on Android SD card. This tool is designed to recover the phone’s internal and external SD memory card data.
 *Trial version |  |
This Photo/Video File Recovery tool not only recovers lost dir in SD card but also helps to recover other types of files like contacts, call logs, notes, documents, text SMS, WhatsApp chats, audios, call/voice recordings, and many more.
This LOST.DIR Android SD Card Recovery program supports all Android phone brands including Samsung, HTC, Huawei, LG, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Google Pixel, Sony, and all versions of Android OS including latest OS 12.
Note: You must not add any new files on your Android device after the deletion of videos or pictures from LOST.DIR. Doing this will overwrite the existing files which will lose the chance of successful LOST.DIR files recovery.
Below, follow the steps to recover video/photo files from LOST.DIR on Android by using Recover (Android) software.
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Steps To Retrieve Deleted Photos/Videos From LOST.DIR On Android
Step 1: Connect Your Android Phone To Computer
Download, Install and launch Recover (Android) Software on your computer then click on “Data Recovery”.
Now you have to connect your phone to the computer by using USB cable. Next you have to enable USB debugging on your Android phone. When your phone gets detected then you will get the screen as shown below.
Step 2: Choose Your File Types To Scan
When your phone gets connected, then Recover (Android) tool will show your all phone’s data type which it supports to recover. By default, it has already have a check mark in all the file types. You can simply select those file type which you wish to recover.
If your device is not rooted, Recover (Android) will show two options – first is “Scan for deleted files” and second is “Scan for all files”. If you choose the option “Scan for all files” then it will take longer time but also scan all your files thoroughly.
Now you have to click on “Next” to continue the data recovery process. The software will first analyze your device.
And then software will continue to scan your device to rescue your deleted data. It will take some time.
Step 3: Preview and Recover Deleted Data
When the scan process gets completed, now you can preview recoverable data. Select the files which you want and click on “Recover” to save all the erased data on your computer.
*Trial version | |
Additional Reading: How To Recover Deleted or Lost Videos On Android Phone
Tips To Prevent LOST.DIR Files On Android
You can follow some tips to avoid the loss of photos, videos, and other files from LOST.DIR on Android.
Here are some of the tips that you need to follow:
Tip 1: Manage Your Android Phone
You need to take proper care of your phone as it operates every work. Ensure that it is not freezing or shut off automatically and it is running correctly. Try to check junk files and remove them. You can also use antivirus apps or programs for this. You should close all the running apps in the background that you don’t need. You should restart your device once a week to the proper functioning of the phone. If you use an external SD card then before ejecting it you should close all running tasks and then eject the SD memory card in a proper way.
Tip 2: Format SD Card Or Flash Your Android Phone
Many users lost their device data due to LOST.DIR folder. So, if this also happens with you then it might be done due to phone’s issue or problem with the SD card. If you face this problem again and again then to solve it you need to flash your Android device. Or if the problem is due to external memory then format it after backing up all data.
You can use Phone Backup software to back up the data of your Android phone. This tool will easily back up different types of data from internal memory and SD card.
Additional Reading: How To Retrieve Deleted Videos From Samsung Galaxy Tablet
People Also Ask
Yes, you can safely delete the LOST.DIR folder. This file only stores corrupted files that is not relevant. You can easily delete it. This folder actually help you to retrieve deleted or disappeared files from SD card or from internal storage space.
Yes, you can delete the folder to save storage space on your phone. But it will reappear again when your device boots up.
You can delete the LOST.DIR in SD card permanently by following the below steps: Step 1: Go to system/bin/. Step 2: Then rename fsck_msdos into other name such as dis-fsck_msdos (Suggested) or delete them together (not suggested). Some device that uses Mediatek SoCs do have another example named fsck_msdos_mtk, so rename it also. Note: Don’t delete other file otherwise the system will be messed up. Step 3: Now, delete lost.dir and restart your Android device.
No, this folder or file doesn’t contain virus. This file is made by Android OS to collect all files that are deleted when your device suddenly powers off or crashes or causes any other error.
5. How Can I Prevent LOST.DIR Folder From Taking Up More Phone’s Storage?
This dir folder contains enough amount of storage space on your Android phone which can run out of your device storage.
Hence, below I have mentioned a few tips to prevent lost.dir file from taking up too much storage space on your phone.
- Install and run antivirus apps.
- Remove junk files instantly.
- Eject the SD memory card properly.
- Delete unwanted apps.
- Ensure that the contents in LOST.DIR folder is unnecessary data.
- Turn off and turn on your device periodically.
- Backup your device data to your computer.[/su_note]
Conclusion
So, if you accidentally deleted LOST.DIR files on SD card then you feel very sad. But it is not the time to worry, in this situation, you need to take some action frequently to recover photos/video files from LOST.DIR on Android SD card. I hope any one of the methods among the two has helped you to get back lost files.
You can try Recover (Android) software to retrieve deleted photos or videos from SD card in just a few seconds without any hassle.
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Wan to know About Me. Well, I have experince of almost 11 years in writing topics related to Android and other tech. Previously, I used to write Blogs for the company where I was working earlier. Now, I love to write tips, tricks, fixes for errors, data recovery solutions, and more related to Android for my own Website. Besides that, I love to travel and explore places, watch movies and play online games.
