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Data loss · deleted files

Deleted files? We can recover them.

Deleting a file does not erase it straight away — the data stays on the device until something overwrites it. Stop using the device, and we can often recover deleted files from any hard drive, SSD, USB stick or memory card, in-house.

From £250 + VAT
Most jobs — no fix, no fee
All media supported
~ deleted_2026-001 — live RECOVERED
$ bdr diagnose /dev/sdb
 Device: SanDisk SD card (128 GB) · camera
 Status: DELETED FILES — 1,240 photos removed
 Client: Pearson, A. · Westbury BS9

$ bdr engineer-working
 Forensic image: taken · originals untouched
 Deep scan + carve: JPEG/RAW signatures
 Found: 1,236 / 1,240 files (99.6%)

$ bdr verify
 ✓ holiday_photos — 1,236 files
 ✓ all preview OK — intact
 ✓ deleted shots — recovered
!

Stop using the device right now.

Deleted files stay on your device only until new data overwrites them. Every photo taken, file saved or app updated can destroy what is still recoverable. Don't save anything new to the device, and don't install recovery software onto it — set it aside and talk to us. The sooner you stop, the more we can get back.

// devices we recover

Every device. Every brand.

We recover deleted files from every kind of storage and every major brand. If it holds your files, we can almost certainly help.

SamsungSanDiskKingstonWestern DigitalSeagateLexarCrucialSonyToshibaTranscendPNYVerbatimIntegralADATACorsairKioxiaSilicon PowerHitachiMaxtorTeam Group

Hard drives · SSDs · USB sticks · SD, microSD and CF cards · external and portable drives · the drives inside laptops, PCs and Macs.

// our recovery process

How we recover deleted files.

Deleted file recovery is a careful, copy-first process. We never work on your original device — we image it, then recover your files from that copy, in the right order.

01

Free diagnostic

Tell us what was deleted and from which device. We assess whether the data is still there and recoverable, and send a written quote — usually within 48 hours.

02

Image first, always

We take a forensic image of your device and work only on that copy, so nothing on your original is changed or overwritten.

03

Scan for deleted files

We recover files that are still referenced in the file system but marked as deleted — usually the quickest wins.

04

Deep scan and carve

For files no longer indexed, we carve them out of the raw data by their file signatures — photos, documents, video and more.

05

Verify and preview

We check that the recovered files open correctly and are intact before anything is returned to you.

06

Recover and return

We return your recovered files on fresh media, organised and ready to use.

07

Backup Drive or Download

We backup your data to either an external drive and ship it back to you, or we also offer a free download service for your data up to 75GB.

// what we recover from

Any device. Any file type.

We recover deleted files from hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, memory cards and external drives — documents, photos, video, email and more, always from a forensic copy of your device.

All media
HDD, SSD, USB, cards
All files
docs, photos, video
Copy-first
originals untouched
48 hr
Diagnostic SLA
1–3
Working days typical
25 yrs
Recovering data
// get a custom quote

Get a custom quote

Tell us what you have lost and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.

Prefer to call? 0117 332 1137 · Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm

// pricing

Clear, fixed pricing.

No hidden fees and no pressure — just a free diagnostic and a written quote before any work starts.

Memory cards & USB sticks
£250 + VAT
SD, microSD and CompactFlash cards, and USB sticks.
Hard drive recovery
£300 + VAT
Internal and external hard drives.
  • Free diagnostic and written quote
  • No fix, no fee on most jobs
  • Recovered files returned on fresh media
// recent recoveries

Deleted files. Real recoveries.

A snapshot of recent deleted-file recoveries across different devices. Names redacted, results verified.

// CASE 2026-038recovered
SanDisk 128 GBSD card · cameraDeleted photos

Wedding photos accidentally deleted from a camera card.

The card had not been reused. We imaged it, carved the JPEG and RAW files back out by signature, and recovered almost every shot.

// CASE 2026-032recovered
Kingston 64 GBUSB stickDeleted files

Work documents deleted from a USB stick by mistake.

Removable media skips the Recycle Bin, so the delete was instant. We recovered the files straight from the file table, fully intact.

// CASE 2026-025recovered
WD laptop drive2.5" HDD · laptopEmptied bin

An entire project folder lost after emptying the Recycle Bin.

Imaged the drive and ran a deep scan, recovering the deleted folder and its contents before anything could overwrite them.

// client reviews

Files restored. Customers relieved.

Reviews from real clients whose deleted files we brought back.

★★★★★
I accidentally deleted all of my holiday photos from my SD card. They recovered every single one of them. I was so relieved — brilliant service.
R
Rebecca H.Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol · August 2024
★★★★★
I emptied the Recycle Bin and lost an entire work folder. They got it all back the very next day. Quick, friendly and very reassuring.
J
James P.Bradley Stoke · May 2017
★★★★★
I deleted files off my USB stick by mistake and panicked. They recovered everything quickly and cheaply. I cannot recommend them enough.
L
Leanne M.Hanham · October 2009
// sending your device in

Two simple steps.

Send us your device for a free diagnostic, and tell us a little about what happened — an engineer will review it and confirm your exact quote in writing before any work begins.

1

Send us your device

Recovering your data starts with getting the device to us. Pack it safely, add your contact details, and send it over — after we run a free diagnostic, we’ll confirm your exact price in writing before any work begins.

How to pack it
  • Package the device into a small, sturdy box or padded envelope.
  • Leave out caddies, cables and power supplies — we won’t need them for the recovery.
  • Include your details inside the package: name, address, phone and email — on a slip of paper, or use our shipping form — then seal it up.
Post toBristol Data Recovery
Castlemead, Lower Castle Street
Bristol BS1 3AG
Shipping formPDF · print & include with your devicePDF ↓

Posting it in? We recommend a tracked, insured service. Prefer to drop it off? You’re welcome Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm — please still package the device as above.

2

Need more information?

If you need more information on our data recovery service, fill out the form with more detail about your issue and an engineer will review it and give you a custom quote.

An engineer reviews every enquiry personally — we usually reply within 30 minutes during the day. Prefer to call? 0117 332 1137.

Thanks — your message is in.

We’ll be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.

// frequently asked questions

Deleted files, answered.

The questions we are asked most about recovering deleted files.

Yes, very often. Deleting a file does not erase the data — it simply marks the space it uses as free. Until that space is overwritten by something new, the file is usually recoverable. The key is to stop using the device straight away.

Stop using the device immediately. Do not save anything new to it, do not take more photos, and do not install recovery software onto the affected drive — any of these can overwrite the deleted files for good. Then get in touch with us.

Yes — deleted photos and videos are one of the most common things we recover. As long as the card has not been heavily reused since, we can usually carve the images back out of the raw data, even after the card has been emptied.

Sometimes, but it is less likely than on a hard drive, USB stick or memory card. Most SSDs use TRIM, which permanently erases deleted data very quickly. We will always tell you honestly at the diagnostic stage what is realistically recoverable in your case.

Not necessarily. Emptying the bin removes the file's index entry but leaves the actual data on the drive until it is overwritten. If you stop using the device, we can usually still recover it.

Hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, SD, microSD and CF cards, external and portable drives, and the drives inside laptops, PCs and Macs. If it stores files, we can usually help.

Deleted file recovery is £250 + VAT for memory cards and USB sticks, and £300 + VAT for hard drives, with a free diagnostic first and no fix, no fee on most jobs. It is a logical recovery, so it is usually one of our lower-cost services — and we always confirm the exact price in writing before any work begins.

Most deleted file recoveries are completed within 1 to 3 working days, and often sooner. The initial diagnostic is usually finished within 48 hours. Urgent cases can often be prioritised — just let us know.

Every major brand of hard drive, SSD, USB stick and memory card, including Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston, Western Digital, Seagate, Lexar, Crucial, Sony, Toshiba, Transcend, PNY, Verbatim, Integral, ADATA, Corsair, Kioxia, Silicon Power, Hitachi, Maxtor and Team Group.

You can drop it off at our Bristol location Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, or post it to us fully insured. Ensure the device is packaged and sealed, include your full contact details inside the package including Name, Address, Phone Number and Email Address so we can fully book it in. Once we have it, we will run the free diagnostic and send you a written quote before any work begins.

// deleted something?

Stop using it — then let us recover it.

Free diagnostic, no fix no fee on most jobs, and deleted-file recovery from any drive, stick or card. The sooner you stop, the more we get back. Start today.

Call us — 0117 332 1137
Mon–Fri · 9am–5:30pm · No fix, no fee
Start a free diagnostic →