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18 July 2024  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
 

Summary
Learn how to retrieve deleted audio files effortlessly with our comprehensive guide, covering built-in tools and third-party software for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Follow step-by-step instructions to recover your lost audio files and prevent future data loss.



Table of contents

table iconUtilize built-in system tools for quick, free recovery.
table iconThird-party Professional Audio file Recovery Software
table iconConclusion
Accidentally deleting important audio files can be a frustrating experience, especially if they contain irreplaceable memories or crucial data. Fortunately, there are several ways to recover these lost files. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each method step-by-step.
recover audio file

Utilize built-in system tools for quick, free recovery.

When it comes to fast recovery in case of a system failure or data loss, many operating systems come with built-in tools and features designed to help you restore your system to a working state. Here’s an overview of how to utilize some of these tools effectively.

Method 1: Checking the Recycle Bin or Trash for Quick Recovery

If you’ve accidentally deleted a file, one of the quickest and easiest methods to recover it is by checking the Recycle Bin (for Windows users) or the Trash (for macOS users). Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin/Trash on your computer. On Windows, you can usually find the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. On MacOS, the Trash icon is located on the Dock.
Windows Recycle Bin
Mac - Trash
Step 2: Locate the deleted audio file. Browse through the contents of the Recycle Bin or Trash to find the audio file you accidentally deleted. You can use the search bar to quickly locate the file if you remember its name.
Step 3: Restore the file. Once you’ve located the deleted audio file, right-click on it and select “Restore” on Windows or “Put Back” on MacOS. The file will be restored to its original location.
Step 4: Verify the restoration. Navigate to the original location of the audio file and check if it has been successfully restored. If the file is not there, repeat the steps to ensure no mistakes were made.
Checking the Recycle Bin or Trash is the quickest and easiest way to recover recently deleted audio files. This method works best when the file was deleted a short time ago and no additional steps were taken to permanently delete it.
Always check the Recycle Bin or Trash first before trying more complex recovery methods.

Method 2: Utilizing Built-in OS Recovery Tools

Accidentally deleting audio files can be distressing, but built-in OS recovery tools such as File History for Windows and Time Machine for MacOS offer a robust solution. This chapter will guide you through the steps to recover deleted audio files using these tools.

Windows: Using File History

Step 1: Ensure File History is enabled. Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > File History. If it’s off, you will not be able to recover your file with Windows File History.
Working with File History from the Control Panel
Step 2: Open File Explorer and locate the folder where the deleted audio file was originally stored.
Step 3: Right-click on the folder and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
folder properties
Step 4: In the Properties window, click on the “Previous Versions” tab.
file previous versions for file history
Step 5: A list of previous versions of the folder with their timestamp and size will appear. Select the version you want to restore and click on the “Open” button.
Step 6: In the opened window showing the contents of the selected version, locate your deleted audio file. Copy and paste it to a new location on your device.
Tips:On a Windows system, you may also try Windows File Recovery (WinFR) to recover deleted files for free.

MacOS: Using Time Machine

Step 1: Open Time Machine from the Dock or Applications folder. Ensure a backup drive is connected and the feature is turned on.
mac enter time machine
Step 2: Click on the “Enter Time Machine” button. A window displaying all previous Time Machine backups will appear.
Step 3: Navigate through the backups using the timeline on the screen’s right side. Locate the backup that contains your deleted audio file.
Step 4: Once you’ve found the desired backup, browse through the folders to find the deleted audio file.
Step 5: Select the audio file and click on the “Restore” button. The file will be restored to its original location.
By utilizing these powerful built-in recovery tools, you can efficiently reclaim lost audio files. However, if this method does not yield the desired results, there are more advanced tools available.
Tips:Ensure File History or Time Machine is enabled and regularly backing up files to make recovery possible.

Third-party Professional Audio file Recovery Software

The above methods are using built-in OS recovery tools to recover deleted files. But if you emtpy the recycle-bin/Trash or press SHIFT + DEL to delete the files, then it is out of System control. But fortunately, in most cases, the file data is still existing some where in your hard drive, you will need third-party professional softwares to recover these file data.

Option 1: Renee Undeleter

Renee Undeleter is a highly reliable tool for recovering deleted audio files on both Windows and MacOS. This software specializes in retrieving various types of files, including those lost due to accidental deletion, system crashes, or formatting.
Renee Undeleter supports three major groups of audio file formats:

  • Uncompressed audio formats, such as WAV, AIFF, AU or raw header-less PCM; Note wav can also use compression as well.
  • Formats with lossless compression, such as FLAC, Monkey’s Audio (filename extension .ape), WavPack (filename extension .wv), TTA, ATRAC Advanced Lossless, ALAC (filename extension .m4a), MPEG-4 SLS, MPEG-4 ALS, MPEG-4 DST, Windows Media Audio Lossless (WMA Lossless), and Shorten (SHN).
  • Formats with lossy compression, such as Opus, MP3, Vorbis, Musepack, AAC, ATRAC and Windows Media Audio Lossy (WMA lossy).
Below are the detailed steps to effectively use Renee Undeleter for recovering your lost audio files:
Step 1: Download and install Renee Undeleter from the official website on your Windows or MacOS computer.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

Step 2: Launch the Renee Undeleter application. The home screen will display different recovery options such as “Fast Partition Scan”, “Whole Partition Scan”, “Whole Disk Scan”, and “Image Creation”. For most deleted audio files, the “Fast Partition Scan” is usually sufficient.
data recovery in renee undeleter
Step 3: Select the scan type based on your requirement. Choose “Fast Scan” for a quicker search or “Deep Scan” for a more comprehensive search.
fast scan lost data
Step 4: Choose the drive or partition where the audio files were originally stored. Click on the “Next” button to initiate the scanning process.
scan disk with Renee Undeleter
Step 5: Once the scan is complete, a list of recoverable files will be displayed. You can use the search bar to filter by file type, name, or date. Locate your deleted audio files from the list.
preview music files
Besides previewing audio files, Undeleter also supports previewing video files.
preview deleted mkv video file
Step 6: Select the audio files you wish to recover and click on the “Recover” button. Choose a different storage location to save the recovered files to avoid overwriting any existing data.
Following these steps ensures that you can efficiently retrieve your lost audio files using Renee Undeleter. Should this method not yield the desired results, it’s advisable to check our subsequent chapters for more recovery options.
Pros:
  • 1. Highly reliable tool for recovering deleted audio files on both Windows and MacOS.
  • 2. Specializes in retrieving various types of files including those lost due to accidental deletion, system crashes, or formatting.
  • 3. Offers multiple scan options such as Fast Partition Scan and Whole Disk Scan to cater to different recovery needs.
  • 4. Supports previewing audio and video files before recovery.

Cons:

  • 1. Requires downloading and installing third-party software, which may not be ideal for users looking for built-in solutions.

Option 2: Recovering Deleted Audio Files with Freeware Testdisk

TestDisk is a powerful data recovery software that can help you recover deleted files, including audio files, from your storage devices. Follow these steps to recover deleted audio files using TestDisk:
Step 1: Download and install Testdisk on your computer. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
Step 2: Launch Testdisk and select the hard drive or partition from which you want to recover data.
select hard disk type
Step 3: Choose the “Analyse” option to scan the selected drive for lost or damaged partitions.
testdisk scanning
Step 4: After the scan is complete, Testdisk will display a list of found partitions. Use the arrow keys to select the partition you want to recover and press “Enter“.
Step 5: Select the “Advanced” option and then choose “List” to see the files and folders in the selected partition.
select files to recover for testdisk
Step 6: Use the arrow keys to select the files and folders you want to recover and press “C” to copy them to a safe location.
Step 7: Once the recovery process is complete, you can close Testdisk and access your recovered data.
Pros:
  • TestDisk is a powerful free data recovery software.
  • It supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
  • The software can recover various types of files, including audio files.
  • TestDisk can handle lost or damaged partitions.
  • The recovery process is detailed and thorough.

Cons:

  • The recovery process requires multiple steps, which might be complex for some users.

Option 3: Retrieve Deleted Audio Files on Android and iOS Devices

Retrieving deleted audio files on Android and iOS devices can be a bit tricky, but it’s often possible with the right tools and methods.
Overview of iMyFone D-Back Android
The iMyFone D-Back Android is a powerful tool designed to recover lost or deleted data from Android devices. This software stands out due to its high success rate and the range of data types it can recover, making it an excellent choice for users facing data loss.
iMyFone D-Back Android can recover various types of data, including audio files, photos, messages, contacts, videos, and more. It supports both rooted and unrooted devices, enhancing its accessibility for all users. This tool can effectively recover lost audio files due to accidental deletion, device crashes, system updates, virus attacks, and other scenarios.
Overview of Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (iOS)
Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (iOS) is a robust tool specifically designed for iOS devices. It excels in recovering a wide range of data types, including audio files, which can be a lifesaver in various data loss situations.
Overview of Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS)
Dr.Fone for iOS supports recovery from multiple sources: directly from iOS devices, from iTunes backups, and from iCloud backups. This flexibility ensures users can retrieve their data regardless of the situation that caused the data loss. The tool supports recovery for a wide array of data types, including photos, videos, messages, contacts, and app-specific data like WhatsApp and more.

Conclusion

In conclusion, recovering deleted audio files is achievable with various methods: checking the Recycle Bin or Trash, using built-in OS recovery tools, employing specialized software like Renee Undeleter, and restoring from cloud backups. For mobile devices, third-party data recovery software and apps like dr.fone are effective options. By following these approaches, you can efficiently retrieve your lost audio files across multiple platforms.