Data recovery FAQ
Data recovery questions, answered before you hand over a device.
The questions kept here need more than a sales sentence. They cover access keys, security, urgent work, server intake and the limits that can change whether a recovery is possible.
Maintained guidance
Process & security
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Will my device be sent elsewhere for data recovery?
Your device normally stays in Datraction's London lab from intake to return. A small number of cases need a specialist we work with, usually chip-level flash work. We explain why, name the laboratory and obtain your explicit approval before the device goes anywhere else.
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Do you keep a copy of my data after the service?
A working copy may be retained for up to 48 hours after you receive or collect the recovered data. This short window protects against a failed return drive or transfer problem. You may ask us to delete it immediately, or confirm by email as soon as you have checked your copy.
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How secure are my files when they are in your possession?
We photograph and register each device against a job ticket when it arrives. Customer devices and recovery media are stored in a safe while they are not being worked on, and the office has active camera recording 24 hours a day. Access is limited to the work needed for diagnosis, recovery and verification.
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Will you take a backup of everything before you move it?
Where the source is readable and stable, we first create a controlled copy or image before changing the destination. A complete backup cannot be promised when the source is already failing, intermittently disconnecting or partly unreadable. In those cases we prioritise preservation, explain the risk and agree the safest route with you.
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Are your data destruction services certified?
Datraction does not claim NCSC Assured Service, ADISA, ISO or a separate 'GDPR-certified' sanitisation status. We select a method appropriate to the media, record the work and can issue a destruction report on request. If your policy requires a named accreditation, tell us before booking so we can advise honestly.
Maintained guidance
RAID & server
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Do I need to send you all the drives in the RAID?
Keep every member drive, including one you believe has failed, and label each original bay before moving anything. Do not initialise or rebuild the array. We may also need controller, enclosure or configuration details, so contact the lab before dismantling a NAS or server and we will confirm exactly what to send.
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My server is really old. Are you still able to help?
Possibly. Age alone does not decide whether server data can be recovered. The condition of each drive, RAID layout, controller or enclosure configuration, file system and encryption are more important. Photograph the drive bays and error messages, record the server model, then contact us before rebuilding or removing anything.
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How much does server data recovery cost?
Logical RAID recovery starts from £600. Multi-drive or physical-failure cases are typically £1,000–£5,000+, depending on drive count, damage, array complexity and time. Donor components, specialist licences and return media can add cost. We diagnose first and provide a price or agreed range before recovery begins.
Maintained guidance
Encryption & access
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What if I do not know my phone password?
Modern iPhone and Android storage is encrypted and normally requires the correct passcode or an already authorised unlock route. We may be able to repair the original phone or logic board so it accepts that credential again, but we cannot promise to bypass the lock. A factory reset erases the local data.
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Can you recover data from encrypted drives?
We may be able to recover readable sectors from a physically or logically damaged encrypted drive, but the result remains encrypted. BitLocker, FileVault and comparable full-disk encryption require the correct recovery key or password. Ownership of the device does not create a bypass, so locate the credential before approving recovery.
Maintained guidance
Urgency & outcomes
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I need my data urgently. Can you help?
Yes. Express recovery targets 3–5 working days and adds 40% to the quoted recovery price. Emergency recovery targets 24 hours and adds 70%. Timing starts when the device reaches the lab; diagnosis, donor parts, severe damage and the amount of readable data can still affect what is realistically achievable.
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Can you recover every byte of data that I have lost?
No laboratory can guarantee every byte. A useful complete or partial recovery depends on what failed and what happened afterwards. Overwritten sectors, destroyed recording surfaces, SSD TRIM, inaccessible encrypted volumes and missing phone credentials can make data permanently unavailable. Tell us which files matter most before diagnosis begins.
Device-specific questions
Find the answer on the service page
Costs, typical faults and device-specific limits live with the service they describe, so the answer and the route to diagnosis stay together.
Get a free diagnosis quote
Tell us what happened. We will come back with clear next steps and pricing before any recovery work begins.