Gihosoft Android Data Recovery Review 2023

Imagine waking up one morning and seeing the files on your Android device are gone without a trace. An even worse scenario is that you cannot even boot the device at all. You try to remember what happened last night – could it have been an accidental factory reset, a software error, or was it your device that fell to the floor and got damaged? Did you download and install an application from an unknown source? Regardless of the cause, it’s your next step will be what determines the outcome of the terrible situation. We think our Gihosoft Android Data Recovery review will have a significant influence on that decision.

Gihosoft Android Data Recovery Interface

Gihosoft Android Data Recovery has an extremely simplified interface, as it should be, in our opinion. Understandably, people who have lost data are under duress. The last thing they want to do is read a list of steps required to start a scan, let alone sort the scan results for hours on end. With that said, you only need to select the type of files you want to scan for, split into three categories, Multimedia, Database, and Others. We’ll delve into that below.

You need to know that if this is your first time using the software, you’ll have an easy time doing so. You don’t need to be tech-savvy nor will you need any outside help. After the scan is complete, the files will be split into file types on the left. The biggest portion of the software will be occupied with the thumbnail of files. You can double-click to preview the files before you commit to recovering them.

Gihosoft Android Data Recovery Features

Compatibility with Operating Systems

We should’ve mentioned this by now. Even though Gihosoft Android Data Recovery is intended for recovering data from Android devices, it is not an Android application. Instead, it is a program available for Windows and Mac computers. Then, you need to connect your Android device via USB cable, and the software will recognize the model, and allow you to start a scan. With that out of the way, it is compatible with Windows versions starting NT and going to 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.

As for Mac, the earliest version we could confirm it working was 10. 6, but we tested it as early as Mac OS X Yosemite (10.10). The smart device itself needs to be running Android 2.0 at a minimum, which is quite impressive, as it came out in October 2009.

File System

In our opinion, compatibility with the file systems shouldn’t worry you. They changed often as Android progressed and new models entered the market. Gihosoft Android Data Recovery encompasses all of them and can restore files from all the major Android smartphone and tablet models. What you need to know is that the software can recover data from both your device’s internal memory as well as memory cards, often micro SD cards. Of course, you can also restore data from your SIM card.

File Type

The software allows you to search for pictures, videos, music, and documents, both from internal memory and SD cards. As for more personal files such as messages, attachments, contacts, and call history, you can scan your device’s internal memory and the SIM card.

Unlike with FonePaw Android Data Recovery, besides WhatsApp messages and attachments, Gihosoft can also retrieve data from Viber. This is still far from what the competition offers. They can recover data from Kik, Messenger, WeChat, LINE, and Telegram, but it’s still a step in the right direction, nonetheless.

Program size

On both Android and Mac, the size of the software is between 29 MB and 30 MB when downloaded. After the installation, it expands to around 63 MB. While this is still pretty small for a full-fledged software, every MB matters. You see, when you delete files, only the address to those files is deleted at first. They are slowly overwritten as you continue downloading, transferring, and installing new stuff.

And, while this is still pretty small for a full-fledged software, every MB matters. Overwriting 63 MB on your device can easily lead to permanent loss of hundreds of documents or images. We’re still not sure why more companies in the data recovery field don’t create portable, lightweight versions.

Rooting your device

Gihosoft Android Data Recovery itself claims rooting your Android phone is not required. A large portion of data loss comes from unsuccessful rooting which prevents the device from booting, often forcing a factory reset. For that reason, we don’t suggest you risk it.

But, in our experience, we’ve found the search for files on the internal memory will be limited to temporary and most recent files due to the way Android works. So, if you run a scan and results aren’t sufficient and you desperately need the files back, rooting is something to consider. As a last resort, consider taking the phone to the shop to have a professional do the rooting to mitigate risk.

Pricing

You are free to scan and preview scan results free of charge with the software. Some file types, such as call history, documents, and audio recordings and songs can be restored for free. For other file types, no matter their size, you need to purchase a Pro license. Its regular price is $59 but you can pretty much always find it for $49.95, as discounts run throughout the year.

The license is for the lifetime, includes support for 1 computer and up to 6 Android devices, and comes bundled with a 24/7 lifetime technical service and support. There is also a Family license that regularly costs $177 but is discounted to $99.9, which encompasses 3 computers and 18 Android devices.

Verdict

Even though we’ve critiqued the types of files you can restore free of charge, this isn’t a big flaw. We compared it to the competitor’s software of the same type. And, what we often found is they don’t allow their users to recover even a single file for free. From that perspective, Gihosoft Android Data Recovery is winning.

Those that are a little bit more tech-savvy have found a cool workaround, though. Using an SD card to USB adapter and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, they enabled themselves to restore up to 2 GB of files for free. If your data loss is primarily on the memory card, we suggest you do the same. Otherwise, use this software for scanning the internal memory. You should definitely give a try to this Android data recovery software.