How to Recover LOST DIR Files from Memory Card

Eleanor Reed

Nov 15, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

Most Android users have often come across a LOST.DIR folder stored in their phone or memory card. There may be several questions about this folder and what its purpose is. Most people often wonder if and how to recover LOST.DIR files. This article will answer all your important queries about these files and folders and guide you on how to seamlessly recover and retrieve these files from your memory card.

Before going into answering the question of "how to recover LOST.DIR files from memory card", let us look at some of the common questions and facts about LOST.DIR files.

Part 1: Overview of LOST.DIR on memory card

# 1: What is a LOST.DIR folder

The Android OS by default generates a folder that acts like the Recycle Bin of Windows OS. This file folder contains all deleted or removed files and enables the retrieval of these files. The files stored in this folder can range from anything like photos and documents to backups of individual apps.

The Android OS makes this LOST.DIR folder due to several reasons or when a certain situation is encountered by the system. Let us look at the situations when LOST.DIR folder is generated by the Android OS.

• When the system shuts down suddenly, or in the middle of an operation.
• Android OS crash or freeze
• Flashback of running applications
• Improper SD card insertion or ejection
• Android SD card unplugging while a read-write process is in progress
• Interruption of file or app downloads

# 2: Is LOST.DIR a virus

No, it is not. The LOST.DIR folder is a legitimate file created by the Android OS as a temporary storage space or cache file folder that keeps various memory data, exchange data, staged data, and cached data of various apps and other types of files.

# 3: Is It Safe to Delete LOST.DIR Folder?

The LOST.DIR folder is generally made by the system during the Android device boot up. Once the device starts up, all caches will be retrieved to the device. This makes it absolutely safe to delete this folder, although the next time you reboot your Android device again, the folder will again be automatically created by the system.

Part 2: How to Recover Files from LOST.DIR on memory card

While there are a number of ways you can recover LOST.DIR files, we have listed some of the most effective and simplest ways of how to recover lost.dir files. These steps are not only easy and effective but also tell you how to recover lost.dir files without PC.

Method 1: Recover lost dir files on PC

A simple and easy way to recover lost.dir files is using reliable recovery software and using a PC to restore all lost.dir files that you need. Wondershare Recoverit is reliable, efficient and extremely useful recovery software that can help you to seamlessly recover all important data and lost.dir files from your memory card.

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Let us take a look at the steps you have to perform to enable data recovery from your SD card using Recoverit.

Step 1: Download and Install Wondershare Recoverit on your PC

Head to the official website of the program and download it. Once done, install it. Connect your SD card to your PC. Launch and on the list of disks shown on the app, select your SD card from where the files are to be retrieved. Hit the drive to start disk scan.

Step 2: Scan the SD Card

Now, the program will run a scan to find all lost data and lost.dir files on the storage location you have selected.

Step 3: Preview and Recover

After you get the results from the search, you can either look for the files manually or just type in the filename to filter the search results. Once you preview the files, simply click the “Recover” button and you’re good to go!

This is the most effective and easy answer to your question of 'how to recover lost.dir files from memory card'.

Video tutorial: How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from PC?

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Method 2: Write filename extension

In order to recover the lost.dir file, here is a simple, easy and very useful method. All you need to do is write the filename extension for the lost.dir files. The filename extension indicates the kind or format of a file and when you type in the extension it enables the system to open the file with the kind of software that is appropriate and helps you find and view the file you want.

The key part of this step is the fact that specific files open with specific software. The simple addition of the filename extension will help you to open the file on your Android device with the use of appropriate software. Let us know how to do this.

1. Firstly, grab your device and find the LOST.DIR folder in it.
2. Now, select the files so that you can rename them in batch.
3. When you see a pop-up of “Batch rename”, begin to add a filename extension. Now try to open and check if they are recovered.

Part 3: Reasons for The Loss or Deletion of LOST.DIR Folder in Android

There might be a number of occasions where you lose the LOST.DIR folder or there is an accidental deletion of the folder. Well, you do not need to worry, as all hopes are not lost. In fact, there are a number of ways on how to recover files from LOST.DIR without PC.

But before we move on to that, let us take a look at some of the key reasons behind the loss or deletion of the LOST.DIR folder on Android OS.

• When the Android OS crashes or freezes abruptly in the middle of an operation
• Improper removal or abrupt ejection of the memory card where the folder is located.
• If the device turns off during the read write process or if the process is interrupted.
• Incomplete downloads or stopping any download operation.

In such situations, often most or all files in the LOST.DIR folder are lost, or the entire folder is lost or deleted. In the next section, we have discussed some simple and easy steps on how to recover LOST.DIR folder from memory card and these steps are effective, easy and can seamlessly enable the recovery of the folder.

Part 4: Tips on How to Prevent LOST.DIR in Android Phone

If you do not want lost.dir files on your Android device then there are a number of steps you can adopt, which can help in preventing these files' creation.

#1: Execute the efficient management of the device with prompt and in-time junk cleaning, running an effective antivirus program regularly, closing the unused apps, and restarting the device occasionally.

#2: Secondly, format the SD card or flash the device when you doubt about the issue.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, we would like to mention that these steps on how to recover lost.dir files are tested and work well enough on all devices. Wondershare Recoverit is very efficient recovery software that effectively helps restore the files you have lost from your memory card.

If you are looking to seamlessly restore lost.dir files from your memory card, then these steps are the most effective and easy ways to do it. Download and Install Recoverit today and get all the lost.dir files back on your device, without any hassles.