Author

Topic: Recovering a Bitcoin Wallet from Android Phone that was Reset (Read 3324 times)

hero member
Activity: 483
Merit: 501
Interesting, so USB Mass Storage device gives you access to the raw sectors. I didn't think of that earlier. On the other hand, Android 4+ has more or less replaced USB Mass Storage by MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) which is object oriented, right?
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1004
Interesting. I just wonder why does your screenshot show drive "F:"? Android doesn't have drive letters like DOS...

I found this instruction. Does it describe what you did?
http://www.squidtooth.com/recover-deleted-files-on-your-android

My phone have USB Mass Storage device mode along with MTP and yes, i did same thing.

Ps: Looks like OP didn't came online from 4 days.
hero member
Activity: 483
Merit: 501
Interesting. I just wonder why does your screenshot show drive "F:"? Android doesn't have drive letters like DOS...

I found this instruction. Does it describe what you did?
http://www.squidtooth.com/recover-deleted-files-on-your-android
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1004
I recently read that if do a factory reset on Android, certain devices only do a quick format. That would mean all files are still there and could be recovered using an undelete tool. However, I have no further experience with this.

I just tried recuva on my phone on which I did factory reset yesterday (bitcoinwallet didn't had any coins)
I did deep scan and it recovered backup file successfully even when app was showing that file is unrecoverable.

http://i.gyazo.com/add00a818ca35641c553221b2b192d20.png
http://i.gyazo.com/280425363d5afd304f1a653afebc4b72.png
http://i.gyazo.com/6b386fb297a8fc5c9a17b7ded93482c7.png
hero member
Activity: 483
Merit: 501
I recently read that if do a factory reset on Android, certain devices only do a quick format. That would mean all files are still there and could be recovered using an undelete tool. However, I have no further experience with this.
newbie
Activity: 25
Merit: 0
Android memory is just like a flash drive. The files are still there, just invisible and flagged to be written over the next time it needs that space. You may not even need to need to unlock the bootloader to recover your data using any legit file recovery program. Just do it now or your recovery chances start dropping fast with every app you redownload and install over the old data.

Piriform makes a great free file recovery program called Recuva. Connect your phone to a computer and tell Recuva to search whatever drive letter your app data is usually stored on and remember that there are usually only 2 places it could be: Internal memory or an external memory card. You may have to put your phone in developer mode or USB storage mode if either of those settings exist in your Android.
newbie
Activity: 25
Merit: 0
Android memory is just like a flash drive. The files are still there, just invisible and flagged to be written over the next time it needs that space. You may not even need to need to unlock the bootloader to recover your data using any legit file recovery program. Just do it now or your recovery chances start dropping fast with every app you redownload and install over the old data.
hero member
Activity: 644
Merit: 500
Me myself lost 0.3BTC I sent to mother and sister downloading and android wallet to them. It sucks.
newbie
Activity: 17
Merit: 0
It is definetly possible if you do it right. Each hard drive, you can clear all the space on it over and over, but bits and pieces that can be rebuilt always remain. You will need a tech that knows basic recovery and Bitcoin structure for your wallet. Might cost you a good penny tho.
newbie
Activity: 8
Merit: 0
its possible but dont count on it. this is why youre adviced to keep multiple backups of your wallet on different media.
sr. member
Activity: 345
Merit: 250
Trusted Member
Is it possible?  Or does the factory reset actually fully wipe the data?

i have recovered some data after sending it off for repairs, they reset everything but lucilky retrieve some bits and bobs from rooting my phone then using one of those recover apps.
legendary
Activity: 1862
Merit: 1011
Reverse engineer from time to time
Afaik, factory reset fully wipes any data in there. Anything you had is probably lost, but you can try to use a program to recover the data on the sdcard, just do it quick before it gets overwritten.
member
Activity: 82
Merit: 10
Is it possible?  Or does the factory reset actually fully wipe the data?
Jump to: