Yes, it is often possible to recover deleted files from iCloud, even after emptying the trash or deleting files directly from iCloud storage. iCloud keeps deleted data for a period of time before permanently erasing it. During this window, you may be able to recover deleted photos, documents, contacts, calendars, and more.
How iCloud Stores Data
To understand how file recovery works for iCloud, it helps to know how iCloud stores data. iCloud is built on cloud storage services like Amazon S3. When you delete a file in iCloud, it is not immediately erased from the underlying storage. Instead, it is marked as deleted but still resides in the storage infrastructure until deleted permanently later. This provides a window where deleted files can be recovered.
How Long Are Deleted iCloud Files Kept?
Apple does not provide exact details on how long deleted iCloud files are retained before being purged. However, estimates based on anecdotal reports suggest deleted iCloud data may be recoverable for approximately 30 days.
The duration likely depends on factors like:
- Type of data – Photos may be kept longer than documents
- Age of data – Newer data may be kept longer
- Storage space – Less time if you’re nearing storage limits
So while 30 days is a reasonable estimate, your deleted iCloud data could potentially be retained for shorter or longer periods.
Recovering Deleted iCloud Files
If you act quickly, you may be able to recover deleted iCloud files yourself through web or mobile interfaces. However, this becomes less reliable as time passes. For best results, use dedicated recovery software. Options include:
Recover Deleted iCloud Data Using Software
Third-party software provides the most effective way to retrieve deleted iCloud files. These tools directly access iCloud backups and storage to find and restore deleted data. Top tools include:
- FoneDog Toolkit: Retrieves 20+ data types from iCloud, including contacts, photos, notes, and more.
- iMyFone iBypasser: Recovers deleted iCloud items like photos, notes, and documents.
- EaseUS MobiSaver:Recovers data directly from iCloud backups without restoring entire backup.
These types of recovery apps connect securely to your iCloud account to scan for and restore deleted data. Look for a solution that provides a free trial so you can preview found files.
Use Mobile or Web Interface Data Recovery
You may also be able to restore some deleted iCloud data right from the:
- Photos app – Recently deleted photos may be recoverable here.
- Notes app – Provides access to Recently Deleted notes.
- iCloud.com – Includes options to restore contacts, calendars, and bookmarks.
However, these methods are less reliable than recovery apps and depend on the data not having been permanently purged yet.
Restore From iCloud Backup
As a last resort, you can restore an entire iCloud backup taken before the files were deleted. But this will also revert your device to the state it was in when that backup was made.
An iCloud backup is still useful in case you can’t recover deleted files any other way though.
Tips to Prevent Losing iCloud Files
Recovering deleted iCloud data is not always successful. Follow these tips to avoid needing to use recovery tools:
- Enable iCloud Backup – Regular device backups provide restore points for your data.
- Double check before deleting – Accidental deletion is common, so take care when erasing files.
- Use collaboration features – Shared albums, calendars, etc. provide an alternate access path.
- Download copies of critical files – Store local backups of your most important iCloud data.
- Act quickly if files disappear – The sooner you attempt recovery, the better.
What Kinds of iCloud Files Can Be Recovered?
In most cases, any data stored in iCloud can potentially be recovered if deleted:
| Data Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Photos | Camera photos, screenshots, etc. in Photos app library. |
| Documents | Text, presentation, spreadsheet files, etc. |
| Contacts | Names, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. |
| Calendars | Calendar events and reminders. |
| Notes | Text and checklist notes. |
| Bookmarks | Safari web browser bookmarks. |
| Messages | iMessage, SMS, and MMS messages (may be challenging). |
| iOS Backups | Full device backup state from selected date. |
The specific types of data you can recover depends on the service used. Some tools specialize in certain data types like photos or contacts.
Are There Limits to iCloud File Recovery?
While iCloud file recovery is often possible, there are some limitations:
- Overwritten data – Once new data overwrites deleted files, they may be unrecoverable.
- Permanently deleted – After a period of time, deleted files are purged and lost forever.
- Mobile device backups – Limited ability to recover data from mobile-only backups.
- Time window – Recoverability declines over time as data is periodically purged.
- Account security – File recovery requires access to the associated iCloud account.
So while many deleted iCloud files can be recovered, success is not guaranteed. Act quickly and use reputable software for the best chance.
Can I Recover Deleted iCloud Email?
Recovering deleted iCloud email presents some unique challenges:
- Apple provides limited email restore capabilities in iCloud mailbox.
- After 30 days, email is permanently deleted from iCloud servers.
- Apple support cannot recover or provide access to deleted messages.
- Third-party software has very limited ability to restore deleted iCloud email.
- Restoring from a backup won’t help unless the backup occurred before deletion.
So unfortunately, recovering deleted iCloud emails more than 30 days old is extremely difficult or impossible in most cases.
How Do I Know If Deleted Files Are Recoverable?
It’s tricky to know for sure if a deleted iCloud file can still be recovered, but some signs include:
- Files deleted less than ~30 days ago – higher likelihood of recovery
- Data showing as deleted but not permanently erased in recovery tools – retrievable
- Successfully restoring some files – indicates other deleted files may also be recoverable
- Using a backup taken before deletion to restore – files not updated since backup can be retrieved
On the other hand, indicators a file is likely gone forever include:
- Deletion occurred more than 30 days in the past
- Documents have been edited and auto-saved over originals
- Recovery tools find no trace of deleted data
- You have received warnings about nearing your iCloud storage limit
There’s no definitive way to confirm if a file can be recovered short of successfully restoring it. But considering these factors can help manage expectations.
Does Recovering Deleted iCloud Files Impact Storage?
When you restore deleted files from iCloud, the recovered data will once again count against your total iCloud storage allocation. For example:
- You have 2 GB of free iCloud storage space.
- 100 MB of files are deleted.
- Your free space increases to 2.1 GB.
- Later, you recover the 100 MB of deleted files.
- Your available free space goes back down to 2 GB.
So recovering deleted iCloud data gives you access to those files again, but also fills back up your cloud storage. Be mindful of your total storage limits when restoring large amounts of data.
Can I Selectively Recover Files?
Most iCloud file recovery methods allow selectively restoring only certain files from your account. For example:
- Recovery software lets you preview and select files to recover.
- The Photos app lets you permanently delete or recover specific photos.
- You can pick and choose which contacts to restore on iCloud.com.
Being able to selectively recover provides more control over your data. You don’t have to restore your entire iCloud account back to an earlier state just to retrieve a few files.
Is There An Easier Way Than File Recovery?
Recovering deleted iCloud data is not always successful. The easiest way to protect your files is prevention:
- Enable iCloud Backup for automatic restoration points.
- Use collaboration features like shared albums to preserve access.
- Make local backups of critical documents and photos.
- Download copies of files to store offline externally.
Setting up redundant access points for important cloud data means that deletion isn’t the end. With multiple versions stored in different locations, recovering a corrupted or lost file becomes much easier.
Conclusion
While iCloud does purge deleted data after a period of time, files removed within the last ~30 days can often still be recovered. Specialized third-party software provides the most reliable way to restore deleted contacts, documents, photos, and other iCloud content. Act quickly for the best chance at retrieving your files. Preventing accidental data loss in the first place remains the ideal approach however. Enable backups, collaborate on files, and maintain local copies of your most important iCloud data to minimize reliance on recovery tools.