Almost all internal storage folders are empty...

[lneesbye]

So, a few days ago I realized that almost all my internal storage folder (Samsung 22s Ultra with no extra storage space) were empty save for some very random items. There were 10 pictures in the Camera folder I had taken since Jan 6th, one picture in download, and all my instagram post images were there. But all other folders were gone. No video, or photos anywhere.

Here are just some of the things I have tried
1) Looked at all remote/cloud storage
2) Looked at internal using my PC
3) Took it to various service places - they told me next option was to have the phone broken to root, but that will as it says break the phone....
4) Used DiskDigger and was able to retrieve a bunch of images - not not any recent
5) Looked at Safe folder and changed all file on internal to not hidden

A couple of weird things. The amount of available storage has not really decreased since this happened so I think the images are still there. It took an update of Android and it said that the phone hadn't had an update since 2023?!?! (I don't think I have restored to a previous version since I can't find that I ever created one)

I have this weird sensation that I'm looking at the wrong part of my internal data.....

Any thoughts?

Lene

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! About how many pictures are missing?

Did you get this phone direct from Samsung, a carrier, or some big reputable retail store? Or was it a great deal from a random online seller? I ask because fake knockoffs are very common, and those often lie about their internal specs.

 

[lneesbye]

It came direct from Sprint (now T-Mobile). The thing that I thought was interesting was that if I deleted 3000 images and videos, you would think that my phone would have a bunch of freed up space, but it doesn't. I think it may be in 'Other files' on the phone. I just looked at my husband's phone and looking at his storage, he has like 5gb in pictures and 10gb in video with just like 20meg in 'Other files'. Mine is almost flip floped. I have 230meg in pictures but 6gb in 'Other files'. I just can't get to look at it. So, frustrating!!!!

Any thoughts are appreciated!!!

Lene

 

[B. Diddy]

You mentioned looking at all remote/cloud storage, but just to be sure -- does this include Google Photos in the cloud? Go to photos.google.com on your computer browser and see if any of those photos show up there.

 

[mustang7757]

Make sure My Files app isn't deleting 30 days there should be an option to never let it Auto delete

 

[mustang7757]

Moved this to the s22 forums

 

[Laura Knotek]

Are you sure this is the S22 Ultra? Sprint stores were rebranded as T-Mobile in 2020. The S22 Ultra was released in 2022.

 

[lneesbye]

Yeah, according to the phone information inside Android. I agree with the timing, but around us they didn't rebrand Sprint to T-mobile until a little later. So, I'm really pretty sure this is a S22. And I don't think they got auto deleted, because there isn't even anything in my trash and this definitely happened in just a last few days.

 

[mustang7757]

Yeah, according to the phone information inside Android. I agree with the timing, but around us they didn't rebrand Sprint to T-mobile until a little later. So, I'm really pretty sure this is a S22. And I don't think they got auto deleted, because there isn't even anything in my trash and this definitely happened in just a last few days.

Are you the only one that has access to your device? Or any app cleaners?