Quick Answer
It is often possible to retrieve data from a dead or damaged iPhone, but the process can be difficult and success is not guaranteed. Professional data recovery services offer the best chance of recovering data from a non-functional iPhone.
Overview
When an iPhone stops working due to physical damage or software issues, the data stored on it is often still intact. However, accessing that data from a dead iPhone can be challenging.
If the iPhone is physically damaged, the first priority is to avoid further data loss by refraining from any repair attempts until data can be recovered. For software-related issues, troubleshooting the iOS software is the first step.
Physical Damage Cases
If an iPhone is damaged due to water, other liquids, drops, cracks, or bent/warped enclosure, the internal components may be affected. This can prevent the iPhone from powering on normally, making data retrieval difficult.
Physical damage can cause several data recovery obstacles:
- Damaged or corroded electronic components
- Dislodged or damaged internal connectors
- Severed ribbon cables or torn flex cables
- Cracked solder joints on the logic board
Logic board-level repairs by experienced microsoldering technicians can sometimes bring damaged hardware back to functionally. But these techniques are time-consuming, requiring disassembly of the device.
If the flash memory chips containing the user data are still intact, specialized tools can often read the raw NAND flash data. But this requires desoldering the flash memory chips from the logic board.
Recommendations for Physical Damage
– Avoid any DIY repair attempts on a damaged iPhone before data is recovered
– Do not attempt to power on a liquid-damaged iPhone to avoid short circuit
– Contact a data recovery service for best results with physically damaged iPhones
Software Failures
Issues like the iPhone being stuck on the Apple logo screen, random restarts, freezes, and app crashes can sometimes be software-related. Troubleshooting the iOS software should be attempted first.
Standard Troubleshooting Steps
– Force restart the iPhone by holding the Power and Home buttons
– Update to the latest iOS software version via iTunes
– Backup data via iTunes then erase and restore the iPhone
– Reset network settings to troubleshoot connectivity issues
– Check for and remove any problematic apps or files
DFU Mode Recovery
For major system-level software issues, recovery mode can be used as a last resort. This allows re-installation of the iOS firmware:
– Enter DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode by holding Power + Home for 10 seconds
– Plug the iPhone into iTunes on a computer
– iTunes will detect the iPhone in recovery mode and prompt to restore
– Restore and reload iOS, then restore the data backup
DFU mode wipes the device completely, but allows iOS to be re-installed cleanly. This can fix many serious software failures.
Backup Options
Before attempting repairs or troubleshooting on a dead iPhone, it’s advisable to create a backup if possible.
iTunes Backup
If the iPhone is recognized in iTunes, even intermittently, try immediately creating a backup. This will copy data from the iPhone to the computer.
iCloud Backup
With a working network connection, an iCloud backup can be triggered remotely via the iCloud website. This is an option if the iPhone cannot connect to iTunes.
Extracting Data Manually
If system-level access to the iPhone is still possible, data can sometimes be copied manually:
– Via file browser apps to access and transfer photos, videos, documents
– Exporting app data from within the app if available
– Emailing files to yourself from the iPhone
This method requires the iPhone to be functional enough to access apps and services.
Professional Data Recovery Services
For an iPhone that does not power on at all, professional data recovery offers the best chance for retrieving data. Services like DriveSavers and iRecovery can disassemble an iPhone and use specialized tools to read raw data from its flash memory.
What Professional Services Can Do
– Bypass the iPhone’s storage encryption by working on the flash memory chips directly
– Repair damaged hardware like connectors to regain partial iPhone functionality
– Extract data even from iPhones damaged by failed repair attempts
– Access iPhone user data as well as system-level content
– Retrieve deleted data
Success Rates
Professional iPhone data recovery has relatively high success rates, often over 95% for SD card-based Android phones. But for iPhones, success rates are lower, averaging 50-70%. This is due to the proprietary nature of iPhones and their tighter security protections.
Costs
Recovering data from a dead iPhone via a service usually costs between $500 to $1200 on average. Exact pricing depends on the specific service, level of damage, and type of service (remote or expedited in-lab).
Preparing a Damaged iPhone for Service
To maximize data recoverability from a damaged iPhone, follow these guidelines:
– Avoid any further repair attempts once damage is identified
– Do not let the battery fully drain as this can cause data loss
– Keep the iPhone in a cool, dry place and send to the service promptly
– Provide any passwords needed to access the iPhone
– Specify highest priorities for data recovery in case not all can be retrieved
Can You Recover Data After a Factory Reset?
If an iPhone is functional enough to be used normally, a factory reset (erase all contents and settings) can be done as part of troubleshooting. This erases the user data.
A factory reset queues all data to be overwritten by the operating system eventually. But until that happens, data recovery is often possible.
– Data from the most recent backup can be restored if backups exist
– Deleted files may still reside intact until overwritten
– Recovery software can scan the raw NAND flash memory to extract recoverable data
However, perform a factory reset only as a last resort, and avoid using the iPhone afterward to prevent overwriting data.
Resetting a Locked iPhone Without Password
If you need to reset an iPhone that is locked with an unknown password:
– Erase via iCloud using Find My iPhone requires the Apple ID password
– Erase using iTunes on a computer will remove activation lock
– Take to an Apple Store with proof of purchase for unlocking
– Third-party unlocking service can remove activation lock
Erasing the iPhone will allow it to be used again, but results in data loss. Resetting a locked iPhone without the password is possible but data cannot be recovered this way.
Can Deleted Text Messages be Recovered?
Recovering deleted text messages from an iPhone is often possible:
– From the most recent iTunes or iCloud backup, if it contains the messages
– Using data recovery software that can read the raw NAND memory before overwritten
– From the SIM card if inserted in another phone
– Possibly by restoring from an older backup containing the messages
– Via iCloud website data and device download option if previously enabled
But text messages are easily overwritten when an iPhone is in use, so promptly backing up is advised before attempting recovery.
Recovering Deleted Photos
Like text messages, deleted photos can often be retrieved as long as they have not been overwritten by new data:
– Via iTunes or iCloud backup if available
– Using data recovery software to extract from NAND flash memory
– Possibly by restoring the iPhone from an older backup
– If synced to another device like iCloud photos, a computer, or Photostream
Avoid taking new photos or downloading apps until recovery is attempted. Overwriting deleted data reduces recoverability.
Recovering Lost Notes on iPhone
For lost or accidentally deleted notes on iPhone:
– Restore from the most recent iCloud or iTunes backup if it contains the notes
– Use iPhone data recovery software to extract notes not yet overwritten
– Check the Recently Deleted folder in the Notes app
– Try emailing notes to yourself if possible while still available
– Try iCloud website if notes were synced there
Enabling iCloud sync for notes is also recommended to have another copy available for recovery.
Recovering Contacts on an iPhone
– Syncing iPhone contacts to iCloud means they can be restored from a recent backup
– Manually transferring contacts to another device backs them up
– Saving contacts to a SIM card acts as a backup for recovery
– If visible, emailing contacts to yourself preserves a copy off-device
– Checking iTunes backups for recoverable contacts data
Avoid adding new contacts until recovering deleted ones, as overwriting can make recovery difficult.
Finding Missing Calendar Events on iPhone
If iPhone calendar events seem to disappear:
– Check iCloud website for synced calendar data to restore
– Restore iPhone from the most recent iTunes backup
– Use data recovery tools to find calendar database files not overwritten
– Manually export calendars to a computer if still possible
– Restore from an older local iTunes backup that contained the events
Act quickly if calendar data disappears, minimizing iPhone usage to prevent file overwriting.
Recovering Lost Safari Bookmarks on iPhone
If Safari bookmarks are lost or deleted on iPhone:
– Syncing iPhone bookmarks to iCloud allows restoring from the cloud
– Create a bookmarks export file from a computer previously synced
– Use iPhone data recovery tools to find Safari bookmark files
– Restore from iTunes backup if the lost bookmarks were included
– Manually email links to yourself before they are overwritten
Preserving bookmarks via iCloud or computer sync is recommended to allow recovery.
Extracting Data from a Dead iPhone: Conclusion
While challenging, recovering user data from a non-functional iPhone is often possible with the right techniques and tools. Quick action to create backups and avoid overwriting missing data can help. In severe cases involving hardware damage, professional data recovery services provide the best chance for extracting lost data from an unresponsive iPhone. Handling the iPhone carefully and avoiding further manipulation preserves the integrity of retrievable data.
