Mail-in data recovery for UK repair shops
Data recovery is getting files back from drives and phones that will not mount or will not turn on. Soldersector does it two ways: logical recovery through the file system, and chip-off recovery that reads the memory chips directly when the device is dead. Fixed prices, UK bench, tracked post both ways.
Before you send anything: stop using it
The single most important rule of data recovery: a failing drive gets worse every time it is powered. If a drive clicks, is not detected, or a phone will not turn on, keep it powered off and note what happened. Every retry in a shop or at home is another thousand chances to score the platters or scramble what is left.
- Do not run recovery software on a clicking drive
- Do not rebuild, format or “repair” the device to see if that helps
- Do not charge a dead phone repeatedly to check for signs of life
- Do note the liquid, the impact, the sounds — the history helps
Logical or chip-off: which one is it?
| Logical recovery | Chip-off recovery | |
|---|---|---|
| Works on | Drives and cards that mount, nearly mount, or are corrupted | Devices with no power, no detection, or a failed controller |
| Typical cases | Deleted files, formats, corrupted file systems | Dead phones, water-damaged boards, soldered laptop storage |
| Price | £85 + VAT | £220 + VAT |
What we recover from
- Hard drives and external drives — logical faults and firmware problems
- SSDs and NVMe drives
- USB sticks, SD and microSD cards
- Phones and tablets, including devices that will not turn on
- Soldered storage in modern laptops, recovered on the bench
How it works
- Send the device in with the pre-paid tracked label — order the service first
- We assess it non-destructively and confirm the price and approach
- Recovery runs on our UK bench, with progress on your ticket
- You get a written summary of what was recovered before anything returns
Nothing is charged until recovery is complete. Full prices are on the price list; if we cannot recover usable data, there is no fee for the recovery work.
Data recovery questions
What is the difference between logical recovery and chip-off recovery?
Logical recovery works through the device's file system — deleted files, formatted drives, corruption and drives that still mount or nearly mount. Chip-off recovery reads the memory chips directly when the device is dead: no power, no detection, or a failed controller. Chip-off is a bench job with soldering, and it is what saves data when a phone or soldered laptop storage will not turn on.
How much does data recovery cost?
Fixed prices: £85 + VAT for logical recovery from drives and cards, £220 + VAT for chip-off recovery from dead or encrypted devices. Pricing does not change after the work starts, and nothing is charged until recovery is complete. If we cannot recover the data, there is no fee for the recovery work — you only cover return postage if you want the media back.
How long does data recovery take?
Logical recoveries typically complete within 2–3 working days of arriving; chip-off work depends on the device and can take longer. Your ticket updates live, and we send a written summary of what was recovered before anything is returned.
Is my customer's data safe with you?
Recovery work happens on our UK bench and nowhere else. Data is never used for anything beyond the recovery itself, images are only taken of the device for the condition record, and media is returned or securely disposed of as agreed. Soldersector is registered with the ICO (registration ZA487291).
Can you recover data from a phone that will not turn on?
Often, yes. Dead phones are the chip-off case: the memory is read directly from the board, even when the phone cannot power on, and the data is reconstructed on the bench. Send it in unpowered and do not keep trying to charge it.
What should we do before sending a failing drive?
Stop using it. Powering a failing drive — especially one that clicks or is not detected — makes the damage worse with every retry. Keep it powered off, note what happened, and post it in.
The books are full — join the list
Our bench is at capacity, so we are not taking new jobs right this moment. Open a trade account and we will email you the moment we are booking again — no commitment. Questions? Email jobs@soldersector.com.
