How to recover PostgreSQL 13.5 database without backup file in Ubuntu 20.04 server?

Question

I had 10-15 microservices databases running in production on Ubuntu server.
Accidentally deleted everything in the /var/lib/postgresql/** folder with command sudo rm -r * . I think PGDATA is inside the /var/lib/postgresql/13/ folder.
I tried TestDisk to restore this folder but it showed everything deleted except the 13/ folder. I only have backup files from a long time ago.
Is there any way to restore the last data?

Answer 1

If you don't have a backup of the deleted files and testdisk was not able to recover them, you may want to try using another data recovery tool such as extundelete or photorec. These tools work by scanning the partition and looking for data that is no longer referenced by the file system, which can include deleted files.

It's important to note that the chances of successfully recovering deleted files decrease as more time passes and more activity occurs on the partition, so it's best to try to recover the files as soon as possible after the deletion. In addition, the more you use the partition after the deletion, the more likely it is that the deleted data will be overwritten, making it impossible to recover.

If you are unable to recover the deleted files using these tools, you may want to consider seeking the assistance of a professional data recovery service. These services typically have specialized equipment and expertise that can be used to recover data from damaged or formatted disks. However, these services can be expensive, so it's important to weigh the value of the data against the cost of recovery.