Cell Phone Recovery Services
Is my data secure and safe with you?
We can assure you of the importance we place on keeping customer information confidential. It’s critical to the nature of my business and required for most clients. Here is an extract from our privacy policy: “We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information. Your personal information is contained behind secured networks and is only accessible by a limited number of persons who have special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential.”
What is included as “basic recovery” for a cell phone?
Basic recovery includes photos and videos on a cell phone. We can also recover additional phone data such as, SMS Text Msgs, Calender, Notes, Call Logs, Emails, MMS, Voice Mails, Music, Bookmarks, or Call Logs. Please see price list below:
1 item: $50 2-3 items: $100 All items: $150
Will my phone come back in the same condition that I sent it?
We will always send the phone back in the same condition that we received it, unless we are told otherwise or talk to you first.
How long does it usually take to recover data from cell phones?
Depending on the situation, it will usually take between two and six weeks. We will always call if it will take any longer than that.
I ran over my cell phone with my car and it is completely crushed. Is there any way to recover the data?
We have successfully recovered data from many cases with similar problems. As long as your phone is semi-intact, we can give it a try. We will know more after we evaluate the phone but we would definitely recommend you send it in to us.
I jumped in a pool with my phone in my pocket and now it is completely dead. Is there any way to get the data back?
Yes, we specialize in water damaged cell phones. We would absolutely recommend sending the phone to us for data recovery.
I need to return my damaged iPhone to my insurance within a week. Can you recover my data in that time?
We have an expedited fee of $100 to ensure we will recover everything we can and return your phone within a week. There is no guarantee it will be a successful recovery, but we will do everything we can.
My phone overheated and died on me. Is there any way to get the data back?
Yes, we have worked with many phones with the same problem. We would definitely recommend sending it in to us.
What is your success rate for water-damaged iPhones and Androids?
You’ll sleep better tonight knowing that our cell phone data recovery lab has better than an 85% success rate of getting back your lost photos, videos, contacts and other content from water damage phones!
Do I still need to pay the $75 even if you can’t recover anything?
Yes. The evaluation fee is non-refundable and will still be charged if the recovery is unsuccessful. Even if we can’t recover your data, we still put a lot of work into doing everything we can.
Can you retrieve data from an iPhone factory reset?
Unfortunately, it is physically impossible to recover any data from a factory reset. All the information could be taken from the chip, but it will be a complete scramble.
Do you insure the phones when you send them back to us?
If you’d like us to insure the phone, it is a $10 insurance fee. We have never had a problem with sending the phones or data back to our customers, but we understand if you’d like to be extra careful.
How do you ship us our phones and data?
We generally use the US Postal Service as Priority Mail to ship your phones and data. If you’d like us to use a different carrier (UPS or Fed Ex) we would be happy to.
Do you supply us with a tracking number?
We update all of our customers’ online invoices with their tracking number as soon as we create their shipping label. If you’d like us to send you the tracking number by email, just ask.
Will you keep us posted on the status of our phones or should we call or email you?
As soon as the technician knows anything, he will contact you immediately. It doesn’t hurt to call or email for an update on where the technician is currently working on your phone, but if there’s any news we will be contacting you.
Can you recover text messages?
Yes, if we have a successful recovery, we can also recover text messages. Text messages are found in a different database and will cost an extra $50, but it is possible.
Can you repair my water damaged phone so I can continue using it?
We do not repair the cell phones – we just recover the data. There have been cases where recovering the data does repair the cell phone, but we do not recommend you continue using the phone after. It is likely that it will die on you again and possibly lose more of your data.
Can you unlock iPhones or iPads with pass codes?
We can attempt to unlock iPhones or iPads depending on their current iOS (operating system). We cannot get through the most recent operating systems so we would need to evaluate to know.
Do you work with iPads?
Unfortunately, we do not work with iPads at this time.
Can you fix cracked screens?
We can repair cracked screens on cell phones. We keep many extra iPhone screen replacements in the shop, but if you need an Android screen replacement, we would have to order that which can take some time. Pricing for cracked iPhones: iPhone 4/4s is $95, iPhone 5/5s is $125, iPhone 6 is $150, iPhone 6 Plus is $175. Please call or email for Android screen replacement pricing.
Hard Drive Recovery Services
Is there an evaluation fee for hard drives?
Yes. There is a $75 non-refundable evaluation fee for hard drives that will be applied toward the full recovery cost if there is a successful recovery.
How long does it take to evaluate a hard drive?
Hard drive evaluations can take a couple days but we usually have a chance to evaluate the hard drive the same day we receive it.
Memory Card/USB Flash Drive Recovery Services
How does your lab service work?
You complete our Service Request Form and send it to us with your flash memory card. Our Image Recovery Labs will attempt to recover your lost or missing files. Any recovered files are copied to a CD-R and sent back to you with your memory card.
Is there an evaluation fee for memory cards or USB flash drives?
No. There is a free evaluation for memory cards and USB flash drives.
How much does the recovery service cost?
Evaluation for memory cards is free. Memory card recovery prices start at $40 for the first 1 GB of data recovered. Each additional GB of recovered data is $15. The total price includes a copy of the recovered files on CD or DVD, free lifetime recoveries for that memory card, and return shipping by first class mail. Certain recoveries may require more extensive work such as removing the memory chip or attaching wires to test points on the card, with service costs ranging from $300 to $600. For our full pricing list, including recovery prices from phones and hard drives, see our Pricing page.
What is the success rate?
Historically, files from over 95% of cards are recovered if picture data is present. Successful recovery of deleted files or formatted cards is camera-dependent. Some camera use full zeroing formats (e.g. Fuji, Sony, and Olympus) that overwrite the data and cannot recovered.
How long does it take?
Most files from cards can be recovered within 24 to 48 hours from the time they are received. Occasionally, more difficult recoveries can take 3-5 business days. There is no additional charge for premium service.
Should I do anything before sending you my damaged card?
Once you’ve decided to send your card, don’t do anything further to the card. Do not attempt to format, or write additional files or pictures to the card. Package the card carefully in a well padded envelope or box, complete the Service Request Form and send the card to the address listed on the form.
Do you only recover damaged memory cards only from digital cameras?
Though the majority of recoveries sent in to are for digital images, FlashFixers can also recover files from just about any format of lost data including sound files, movies files, data files and others.
Can I reuse the damaged card once it is returned?
Yes, in most cases. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for formatting the card first. FlashFixers also offers a free low-level format. You can also purchase a lifetime recovery warranty for only $10 per card.
Do you do anything to the card before it is returned?
We do not modify or format the card in any way. Our recovery process is non-destructive and does not require writing to the card. Recovered files are extracted and sent to you via CD or email.
Can I recover the deleted/damaged files myself?
Yes it may be possible if you use an image recovery program like ImageRecall which does not write to the card in any way. Be careful, some general file utility recovery programs (e.g. Norton Undelete) can write incorrect file descriptors to the card and cause the actual data content to become garbled. This makes a secondary recovery process more difficult or impossible.
Can you recover pictures I accidentally deleted on my memory card?
Yes, we can recover accidental deletions for memory cards. However, if you continued to use the memory card after you deleted the photos, then the pictures deleted will be overwritten and irretrievable. For every picture you take on the card, another picture will be overwritten. Best chance of recovery is to send the card into us as soon as the photos are deleted.
Can you get data off a broken USB Flash Drive?
Yes, we recover data from many USB flash drives with broken connectors. We assess the condition of the USB and make necessary repairs on the broken pads and etches using micro-soldering techniques. It’s usually a temporary fix that holds just long enough to get the data off the drive. Our confidence is very high to fix broken flash drives. The flat rate price is $199.
Can you repair my broken USB Flash Drive?
We do not repair the broken USB Flash Drives – we just recover the data off of them.
About Our Process
Where do I find the service request form?
If you are sending a phone, please use the phone-specific service request form.
For all other devices (including hard drives, memory cards, and USB flash drives), please use the general service request form.
How should I package my device?
When mailing your device to FlashFixers, please package it well, preferably in a box or padded envelope, so that it arrives to us safely. Make sure that your name and return shipping address match the information you provided on the service request form.
- For mailing a phone, use a padded envelope or a box.
- For mailing a memory card, use a stiff or padded envelope.
- For mailing a USB flash drive, use a stiff or padded envelope or a box.
- For mailing a hard drive, use a box.
- For mailing GPS units, camcorders, recording devices, or any other media, use a box or padded envelope.
Where do I send my device?
Please mail your device directly to our data recovery lab at:
FlashFixers Recovery Lab
6 Merles Lane
Stratham NH 03885
If you are a local customer, you also have the option of dropping it off or hand-delivering it to our main office. Our main office is located at:
FlashFixers
1 New Hampshire Ave
Suite 125
Portsmouth, NH 03860.
*What is the evaluation fee?
There is a $75 non-refundable evaluation fee that applies to the following devices:
- All iPhone models (including iPhone X, 8, 7, 6, 5, and earlier versions)
- Samsung Galaxy S7 (All versions)
- Blackberrys and recent Android phone (2016 and newer)
- Hard drives
- Any required NAND chip-level recoveries for SD cards or USB flash drives
The evaluation fee is credited toward the full recovery price. It is billed when your device is received in the lab, at which time you will receive an invoice via email that is payable online.
For all other devices, there is no evaluation fee, including:
- Other Legacy pre-2016 Android phones (LG, Motorola, Huawei, etc)
- Samsung Galaxy S6, S5, Note 5, Note 4 and earlier models
- Memory cards
- USB flash drives
Why do you charge an evaluation fee?
The main reason we have an evaluation fee is to keep our prices low for our customers.
Think about it. You’ve done your research and have probably noticed that some data recovery companies offer free evaluations. So why would you pay another company to evaluate your device when others will do it for free? Well, have you noticed that those companies also lack transparent pricing? That means that they can charge you whatever price they want once they have your device. Sure, you can back out after the evaluation, but not many people are willing to do that when a successful recovery is on the line – regardless of the cost.
Like all data recovery companies, these companies still have to make up the cost of unsuccessful recoveries and non-paying customers. And for them, that cost falls to the paying customers. Prices are ALWAYS higher with these companies because they need to make up for those costs.
But that’s not how FlashFixers operates. We don’t charge outrageously high prices or exorbitant media storage fees, like other data recovery companies do. We only charge you for YOUR device, so you are not left paying for someone else’s non-recovery. A non-recovery is the worst case scenario for both you and us, so we do everything to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Lastly, because it unfortunately has to be said, we do not use an evaluation fee as a way to nickel and dime our customers. We love our customers and would never treat them like that. Our highly rated services and many great reviews are evidence of that. And remember, we credit the evaluation fee toward the full cost of the recovery, and many devices don’t even have an evaluation fee.
Unlike other data recovery companies, we are proud to offer transparent pricing and affordable data recovery services. Having an evaluation fee makes it possible for that to happen.
What files can be recovered?
We can recover any data that was on the device. For phones, the data that can be recovered include:
- Photos
- Videos
- Text messages
- Contacts
- Voice mails
- Notes
- App Data
- Call logs and call history
- Internet browsing history
We can also recover all files from hard drives, memory cards, USB flash drives, GPS units, camcorders, and other media types.
How long does the recovery process take? What is the turnaround time?
The recovery process can take anywhere from a few days and up to several weeks. The turnaround time depends on the type of media or device, and its condition. For example, the more short circuits and failed individual components a phone has, the longer it will take to identify the problem and complete the data recovery.
You can also choose expedited service to move your device to the front of the queue, where we attempt to reach a conclusion in two weeks or less. This expedited services is available for an additional $100.
How does the recovery process work? What does it entail?
The process used to recover data from a device depends on the type of device and its condition. Learn more about the in-depth data recovery processes for the following devices:
- Water damaged iPhone or Android
- iPhones, Samsung Galaxy S7, S6, Note 5, or Note 4
- Legacy Android phones
- Memory Cards
- Hard Drives
- USB Flash Drives
I need to return my phone for insurance purposes. Can you still help me recover my data?
If you need to send your damaged phone back to a phone company for insurance purposes, we understand and we can still work with you and the phone company to recover your data. In these cases, we recommend you call your insurance company to let them know you are working with FlashFixers and ask for a 30 day extension. Your insurance company will grant this exception for data recovery purposes.
How do I pay?
An invoice for the total recovery cost will be sent to your email and is easily payable online. If you paid an evaluation fee, it will be fully credited toward the total cost of the recovery.
How do I receive my data?
For phone recoveries, your data is saved to either a DVD ($0) or a new USB flash drive ($10 for 16GB, larger capacities are available for purchase or you can include one with your device). You will receive your recovery order via USPS Priority mail.
What do I do once I have my data?
Once you have your data, you can transfer it to your computer. You can also import the content into iTunes and back onto your iPhone or iPad so you are back to the way you were before you lost your data.
What’s the fine print? Are there any additional fees?
There are no hidden fees. We are proud to have transparent pricing, unlike other data recovery companies.
Here’s the fine print: Some devices (all iPhones, newer Android phones, and hard drives) have a $75 evaluation fee paid up front. The evaluation fee is non-refundable but it is credited toward the total recovery cost. The recovery cost is charged only if the recovery is successful. You cover the initial shipping to FlashFixers, and we cover the return shipping. We charge you $10 to store your recovered data on a new 16GB flash drive (larger capacity flash drives are available to purchase), but you are also welcome to include one with your order. That’s it!
Is my data safe and secure with you?
We place the utmost importance on keeping customer information confidential. It’s critical to the nature of our business and required for most clients.
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your data and personal information. Our recovery work is conducted on secure workstations with no access to the outside. We also have built-in safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to customer data. Your data is contained behind secured networks and is only accessible by a limited number of persons who have special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential.
Once we know for certain that you’ve received your recovered data, we permanently delete the data from our servers.
Please note that FlashFixers will not perform any work on a device unless you are the device owner or have legal authorization to access the device.