How to Recover LOST.DIR Files from Android SD Card/Memory Card

Updated on Jun 16, 2024 | by Edwards

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What is LOST.DIR Files?
Are files in LOST.DIR folder important?
How to delete LOST.DIR in SD card
How to Recover Files from LOST.DIR with/without PC
Method #1. How to Retrieve Files from LOST.DIR with PC
Your Effective Software for Recover Files from LOST.DIR with PC
Method #2. How to Get Back Files from LOST.DIR without PC
How to view LOST.DIR files on Android?

What is LOST.DIR Files?

LOST.DIR is a default folder in an Android SD card or memory card, automatically created by Android OS to save files in case of an emergency, and restored upon reboot, reducing data loss.

Are files in LOST.DIR folder important?

The LOST.DIR folder is created by Windows to save important files that are being written to at the time a shutdown or system failure occurs. This is done to prevent data loss and ensure that any unsaved work is preserved.

Android devices unexpectedly crashed or froze.
Android phone shut down suddenly.
Apps suddenly flashback.
SD card in Android device abrupt removed.

The LOST.DIR folder and its contents are crucial, as losing them can result in significant file loss from Android devices, including photos, videos, documents, app data, and more.

How to delete LOST.DIR in SD card

You can connect your Android SD card to your computer, open the SD card, find and delete the LOST.DIR folder, but a new one will be created when you reboot your Android phone. This folder is useful for rescuing files from an Android device, so it's best not to delete it unless you don't care about the data.

How to Recover Files from LOST.DIR with/without PC

The LOST.DIR folder is where Android devices store data in case of an emergency, but you may want to know how to recover or view files from this folder, especially from memory cards or pen drives. Let's get started.

Method #1. How to Retrieve Files from LOST.DIR with PC

When you reboot your Android device or encounter a problem, the LOST.DIR will be refreshed with new data. To recover files from LOST.DIR on a pen drive, SD card, or memory card, use data recovery software as soon as possible to get the best results. The sooner you recover your data, the better the outcome will be.

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To find lost .dir files on your Android external SD card and memory card, follow these steps. Note that data recovery software has separate versions for Windows PC and Mac, so you can follow this guide on either platform. First, connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable. Next, download and install a data recovery software that supports Android devices, such as EaseUS MobiSaver. Launch the software and follow the on-screen instructions to scan your device for lost files.

Connect the SD card to your computer, letting it be recognized as an external disk. If your PC or Mac doesn't show the SD card, fix that issue first.
To recover lost data, download and install the data recovery software on your computer, making sure to get the correct version that matches your computer's operating system.
Launch the data recovery software, hover over the hard drive lists, and click the "Scan" button to initiate a scan for LOST.DIR files.

how to recover lost.dir files from pendrive

When the scanning is finished, you can check and preview the found files, which are saved in a directory. Select the target files and click "Recover" to save them on your computer, not to the original SD card. The file extensions in LOST.DIR folders are replaced with numeric sequence names, making them easy to find.

how to recover files from lost.dir with pc

Method #2. How to Get Back Files from LOST.DIR without PC

Recovering files from LOST.DIR without a PC means restoring files from the LOST.DIR folder. However, this is not necessary as the Android device automatically restores files from LOST.DIR when it's rebooted. Alternatively, you can find LOST.DIR files on the SD card by adding file extensions.

How to view LOST.DIR files on Android?

All the file extensions in the LOST.DIR folder are replaced with numeric sequence names. To view LOST.DIR files on Android, you need to add the file extensions to them.

Connect your Android device with your computer.
Open the Android device and locate the LOST.DIR folder.
To correct the file extensions in the LOST.DIR folder, open it and rename each file to its correct extension, ensuring that the file is associated with the correct program or application. This may involve adding or changing the file extension to match the intended use or format of the file.
After then, you can open the files and check the details.

If necessary, you'd better copy and save them to your computer to avoid data overwritten issues happening.

The LOST.DIR folder is crucial for Android users as it contains key data that can be recovered in case of a device crash or incident. If you've lost important files, trying to recover them from the LOST.DIR folder as soon as possible is recommended, as the folder may be replaced or refreshed, making recovery impossible. A tool like Deep Data Recovery can help recover LOST.DIR files from an Android SD card.