[BullGuard8]

My uncle in Nigeria is telling me that he updated the OS on his Note 3 and lost all his pics. I am surprised as an update usually wouldn't do that?

Any suggestions on how he can get them back?

please give me step by step instructions so I can send it to him as a voice note on whatsapp

thanks

[Raptor007]

Sorry to tell you, but they are gone forever. Its the same thing as updating your desktop/laptop computer if you don't backup first whatever you install over the current OS erases everything first.

[Golfdriver97]

There are a couple suggestions in this thread: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ver...-possible.html

[BullGuard8]

Sorry to tell you, but they are gone forever. Its the same thing as updating your desktop/laptop computer if you don't backup first whatever you install over the current OS erases everything first.

that's really sad! We advanced users know how to do that but what about the grannies and old people who don't know any better!!

[anon8380037]

An update wouldn't remove the photos surely, it just resets some settings. Try the pc / usb to DCIM folder route, Gallery - Content to Display, Gallery - Albums /All, Google account Web page or Google+.

[Raptor007]

I was doing some digging today and found some articles that may help your uncle.

How to recover deleted photos on Android - AndroidPIT

How to recover lost data on Android (rooted or not) - AndroidPIT

I cannot guarantee this will help, but it may.

[Raptor007]

that's really sad! We advanced users know how to do that but what about the grannies and old people who don't know any better!!

It does depend on whether or not he chose factory reset (which is the best way to update) prior to updating or after updating. All may not be lost, but it could be.