How to retrieve an excel file from my Huawei phone?

Hello judy,

Thank you for your information. With your case, I have this suggestion for you:

1. Search the Entire Phone Storage (NOT just through Office)

Use the native Files app or Huawei’s File Manager: In File Manager:

• Open Files > Browse
• Go to Internal storage
• Tap the search icon
• Search for:
  • The file name you gave it
  • *.xlsx
  • *.xls
  • *.tmp
  • *.cache
  • ~$ (Excel autosave prefix)

Some Excel autosaves appear as:

• ~$filename.xlsx
• filename(1).xlsx
• filename.tmp

2. Look in the Default Office Save Folders

Microsoft Office on Huawei typically stores files in: Android/data/com.microsoft.office/files

Documents/

Downloads/

Huawei/Office/ (sometimes)

But on many Huawei phones, Android/data is hidden.

To access it:

• Install “Files by Google”
• Enable “Show internal storage”
• Navigate to: /Android/data/com.microsoft.office/files/

Look inside:

• Documents/
• Recent/
• TempFiles/

3. Check if Excel AutoSave Created Backup Versions

Look for:

• filename.xlsx.autosave
• filename.tmp
• $filename.xlsx

These can be recovered simply by renaming them:

• Long‑press the file
• Rename > change extension to .xlsx
• Try opening it in Office

4. Check Huawei's Hidden Backups (Even if Cloud is Full)

Even with cloud full, Huawei phones keep local backup snapshots.

Go to: Settings > System & updates > Backup & restore > Data backup

Check:

• Local backups
• Memory card backups
• HiSuite backups (if ever connected to a PC)

5. Try a File Recovery App (Works ONLY if not overwritten)

If the file was deleted by clearing cache, recovery is possible only before new data overwrites it.

Recommended tools:

• DiskDigger
• EaseUS MobiSaver for Android
• Dr.Fone Data Recovery
• MiniTool Mobile Recovery

These apps scan deleted files, including:

• .xlsx
• .tmp
• .cache

Tip: Install the recovery app on a different device if possible — to avoid overwriting deleted data.

6. If You Ever Shared/Opened It Elsewhere

Check:

• WhatsApp Sent / Received
• Email attachments (Sent folder)
• Messenger images/files
• OneDrive Offline files (if previously saved)

Sometimes the file exists in another app’s cache.

I hope this will help with your situation. Please feel free to reach back if you have further update or more questions.

Best Regards,

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