Data is backed up, but can't access. HELP PLZ

[userocXAX14KQ6]

My s22 ultra has been factory reset by a series of unfortunate events, and all my data is gone on the phone.

However, it was some how backed up to my laptop, I can see all the files on there, but it won't let me access them. for example, when I try to open an image it tells me the phone needs to be connected to the laptop.

it sucks so bad that all my photos and stuff are right there, but I can't access them. any help would be appreciated! 

[Robin621k]

Do you have Smart Switch on your computer?

[userocXAX14KQ6]

I do, but i don't know if it was backed up through that. I always connected my phone through windows phone link. my old phone shows up like it's still plugged in as a removable storage on the laptop, and I can open it and view all my files

[userocXAX14KQ6]

but i just can't open them

[Robin621k]

Open Smart Switch on your computer and phone, tap on the 3 dots and see if restore is available.

[userocXAX14KQ6]

I'll give it a shot, at work right now though. been driving me nuts all day -.-

[realaud]

I think what you are seeing is an image of files from a phone that was connected - perhaps not actually backed up.  That's why it's asking for the phone to be connected. I doubt even connecting the phone, since it's been reset, will allow you to view the images.  If it was, however, backed up with Smart Switch, you should be able to restore it with Smart Switch.  If it's the photos you are after, have you checked photos.google.com to see if they have been backed up there?  If they have, at least they can be recovered.

[userocXAX14KQ6]

that's what I thought. the files I'm seeing are like "place holders" and when I click on them it needs access to the phone to actually download the file. I don't use Google photos. would it back up my stuff without me even telling it to?

[realaud]

Unless you specifically turned it off, photos automatically backup to Google. Open a browser and go to photos.google.com and log into your Google account if not already logged in and see if your photos are there.

[realaud]

Don't you have a cloud backup? Hasn't your ohone been backing up nightly to the cloud?