Deleted files from Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini - can I retrieve them?

[TinyShinyUnique]

I was wondering if anypony who is familiar with mobile phones could help me out as I'm a total noob when it comes to anything high-tech I accidentally deleted files which were named "Sound" thinking it was something unimportant and i was trying to save some space. It got deleted immediately and just when I got rid of them, I started panicking, because what I had deleted were some lectures and presentations I managed to record why my hand was hurting and I couldn't take notes.

I've tried searching the Internet and there are a lot of programs and apps that are good for retrieving deleted files, but I couldn't find any opinions saying 'yes, that's the best one around, it's easy to use and I highly recommend it'. Is anyone familiar with any program that would help me out? It could be one of those buy-online if they accept paypal - I don't mind paying as long as it will help me out.

Another problem I encountered is the process of rooting - I tried Wondershare's Dr.Fone trial version yesterday and I learned that to even scan in search of deleted files, I should root my phone, but where it should send me to a site explaining what that is, it just sent me to a commercial site for Dr.Fone Does anyone know what that root process is and how to do it? I read somewhere yesterday that it might damage my phone and that I'll loose my guarantee, is that true?

Or should I look for some phone-doctor and try to seek help by a professional?

[kaoskat]

Yikes! That's not good! I hope someone can help! Good luck!

[melodys_angel]

Man   Best of luck recovering them!

[iluvponiez]

"Rooting" essentially makes you the administrator account on your phone and you can do things that you'd usually have to go to a cell phone provider to do. It also voids your warranty and makes it possible to brick your phone if you don't know what you're doing. I can't help you further as phones are all different and you need to find a bootloader for your specific phone to do so, but I have to warn that there's no guarantee that rooting your phone can recover the files!

If you have a Droid type phone (is a Galaxy a Droid OS?) then there are aps that can root for you. EasyRoot and Z4Root can.

[hathorcat]

I would post a bit of a word of warning about recovery programmes; on smaller devices with limited memory sometimes when files are deleted they are just gone and all a recovery program will find you is the shell of the file [a ghost] rather than the file and its content.

I would honestly suggest a local phone or even computer shop - these guys know there stuff and will often already have the best recovery programmes to hand which they can try for you! Or does your provider perhaps have a technical support service? Or even try dropping Samsung an email; most of the big manufacturers have support services who can at least tell you whether there is a delete/back up system on your phone or even if a recovery program would be able to restore your data. Or sometimes they can even offer a service themselves for a charge. It depends on how old the phone is, who  your provider is as well as the level of service Samsung offer in your country.

[TinyShinyUnique]

Thank you everyone for the input! I think I will do as hathorcat suggested and contact a local phone store first. I don't like the idea of changing anything in my mobile phone - not even with a help of a program. Plus I'm rather pessimistic about getting the files back I have a good hearing memory so it's not like I have no idea what the lectures were about precisely but the amount of research I will have to put up to now to get information is scaring me - it'll be my exam period soon. Hopefully I will find someone to lent me their notes. Keep your fingers crossed for me if it comes to that