Moving files on your phone may seem simple. However, many users experience issues like missing files or needing help to open them after moving. In this blog, we highlight that using the “copy” function is often safer than “move” when transferring files to a new location.
Why Files Go Missing or Become Unreadable After Being Moved
Moving a file essentially involves two actions:
- Transferring the file to the new location.
- Deleting the original file once it is complete.
If you choose “move”, the file may be lost or unreadable in the new location. The “move” function doesn’t leave a backup, so recovering the file becomes much more complicated if the process fails.
Common Scenarios Where Issues Occur
- Interruptions during the move: If your phone crashes, runs out of battery, or loses internet connection (when dealing with cloud services), the file could get corrupted or lost.
- Corrupt destination: If the destination folder or storage (like an external SD card or storage) has issues, the file may fail to open after being moved.
- Insufficient storage: Sometimes, the new location doesn’t have enough space, causing the move to fail. The file might be lost or only partially transferred.
Why “Copy” is a Safer Option
When you copy a file, the original remains in its current location, and a duplicate is created in the new location. If there’s any issue with the copied file (such as corruption or storage issues), the original file remains intact, and you can try the operation again. Here’s why copying is better:
- No risk of file loss: Since the original file remains untouched, you won’t lose data if the transfer is interrupted.
- Easier troubleshooting: If something goes wrong, you can check the original file, resolve issues, and try copying again without worry.
- Backup opportunity: Even if the move is successful, keeping a copy of important files in both locations can serve as a backup.
How to Move Files Safely
Follow these steps to reduce the risks:
- First, copy the file: Always copy the file to the new location and confirm that it opens correctly.
- Check storage space: Make sure there is enough storage on your destination location.
- Delete the original only after confirming: Once you’ve confirmed that the file works properly in the new location, then you can go back and delete the original file.
Conclusion
While moving files may seem more convenient, it comes with risks that could lead to permanent data loss or corruption. To keep your data safe, always copy your files first, and only delete the originals after verifying the copied files work properly. This simple habit will save you from the frustration of losing important documents, photos, or videos.
