Recovering lost or deleted data from an iPhone is often possible, but depends on several factors. With the right tools and techniques, you may be able to rescue photos, messages, contacts, notes and other information – even if you don’t have a backup.
Quick answers
Here are quick answers to some common questions about recovering iPhone memory:
Is it possible to recover deleted photos from an iPhone?
Yes, deleted photos can often be recovered from an iPhone, provided they have not been overwritten by new data. There are third-party tools that can scan the iPhone’s storage and restore deleted photos.
Can you recover deleted text messages on an iPhone?
Recovering deleted text messages from an iPhone is possible in some cases. However, the sooner data recovery is attempted after deletion, the better the chances of success.
Is there a way to recover contacts lost on an iPhone?
Yes, it is possible to use data recovery software to restore contacts lost or deleted from an iPhone. However, contacts synced from iCloud may be harder to recover.
Can deleted notes be recovered on an iPhone?
Notes deleted from the iPhone’s Notes app can potentially be recovered with the right data recovery tools. But notes synced with iCloud may not be recoverable if permanently deleted.
Is it possible to recover a deleted or lost Voice Memo on an iPhone?
Yes, deleted voice memos recorded on an iPhone can often be recovered with data recovery software, provided they have not been overwritten by new data.
Factors affecting iPhone data recovery
The chances of recovering lost iPhone data depends on several key factors:
- Time since deletion – The less time that has passed since files were deleted, the better the chance of recovery.
- Overwrite actions – If new data has been saved to the device since deletion, it may overwrite the old files.
- Device condition – Issues like water damage or hardware failure reduce the chances of recovery.
- Backup availability – Having an iCloud or iTunes backup makes recovery easier.
- Jailbreaking – A jailbroken iPhone allows more access for data recovery tools.
Acting quickly and avoiding phone use or backups after deletion gives the best shot at iPhone data recovery. The condition of the device is also important – significant damage can make recovery impossible.
Recovering Deleted Photos
It is often possible to recover deleted photos on an iPhone, unless they have been overwritten by new data in the time since deletion. Here are some options for photo recovery:
Recover from iCloud or iTunes Backup
If you have an iCloud or iTunes backup made before the photos were deleted, you can restore the backup to retrieve the lost photos. However, any photos taken after the last backup will not be recovered.
Use Data Recovery Software
Specialized data recovery tools like EaseUS MobiSaver, Dr.Fone and PhoneRescue can scan the iPhone’s storage for recoverable photo data, even without a backup. This gives the most flexibility to restore photos lost due to accidental or malicious deletion.
Recover from Auto-Backup Services
If you had services like Google Photos or Dropbox auto-backing up your iPhone’s photos, you may be able to restore recently deleted pictures from their cloud storage. However, they may not have your full photo library stored.
Recovering Deleted Text Messages
Text messages deleted from the iPhone’s Messages app can sometimes be recovered by data recovery software. Here are some options:
Restore from an iTunes or iCloud backup
If you have backups enabled, you may be able to recover deleted text messages from a saved iTunes or iCloud backup file containing the Messages app data prior to deletion.
Use data recovery software
Programs like PhoneRescue and EaseUS MobiSaver scan the iPhone’s storage and can find deleted SMS/iMessages that have not yet been overwritten. The sooner this recovery is attempted, the better.
Retrieve from the SIM card
If you have not changed SIM cards since the deletion occurred, it may be possible to recover deleted text messages from the SIM card’s storage itself.
Recovering Deleted Contacts
There are a few different methods to potentially restore deleted contacts on an iPhone:
Restore from iCloud or iTunes backup
If backups are enabled, restoring from the most recent backup should return all contacts to their state prior to any deletions or losses.
Use iPhone data recovery software
Programs like EaseUS MobiSaver can scan the iPhone for deleted contact files that have not been overwritten and allow you to selectively restore them.
Sync recovered data to computer
If recovery software is able to find any recoverable contact files, you can try saving them directly to your computer rather than back to the iPhone.
Manually re-enter lost contacts
As a last resort, you may have to manually add back any truly irretrievable contacts that did not sync to iCloud.
Recovering Deleted iPhone Notes
Here are some of the ways deleted or lost notes can potentially be recovered on an iPhone:
Restore notes from iCloud backup
Provided backups are enabled, an iCloud backup restore will retrieve notes to their state prior to deletion or loss.
Use iPhone data recovery software
App such as EaseUS MobiSaver can find deleted notes files in iPhone storage and allow you to restore them selectively.
Retrieve notes synced to other services
Notes synced to services like Dropbox or Gmail may be restorable through those platforms even if deleted from the iPhone.
Manually re-create lost notes
If notes are not recoverable through any means, you’ll have to manually recreate any that were truly important.
Recovering Deleted or Lost Voice Memos
Here are options for recovering deleted voice memos from an iPhone:
Restore from iTunes or iCloud backup
If you have backups enabled, restoring from a backup should return voice memos to the state they were in before deletion.
Use data recovery software
Apps like EaseUS MobiSaver scan the iPhone storage for recoverable audio files, including deleted voice memos, as long as they were not overwritten.
Extract audio from call history
If a voice memo was made during a phone call, the audio may be extracted from call history with tools like PhoneView.
Ask the recipient
If you sent a now-deleted voice memo to someone else, they may still have it saved on their device and be able to send it back to you.
Best Practices for iPhone Data Recovery
Following proper data management practices can give you the best chance of recovering lost files if needed:
- Enable iCloud and iTunes backups and run them regularly.
- Avoid using or updating the phone after deletion until recovered.
- Do not overwrite the phone storage with new data.
- Keep the device in good physical condition.
- Research data recovery options before attempting DIY recovery.
- Act quickly – the less time passes, the better.
When DIY iPhone Data Recovery Fails
In some cases, DIY recovery efforts using backups or software are unsuccessful at retrieving deleted iPhone data. This can happen if:
- Files were overwritten by new data before recovery attempts.
- No usable backup exists from before deletion/loss.
- The phone has physical damage that prevents access to data.
- Not enough time was spent trying different recovery methods.
- Incompatible, low-quality or incorrectly used tools were tried.
When you have exhausted all DIY options without success, a professional iPhone data recovery service may be able to extract data that consumers tools cannot access. They use sophisticated techniques like:
- Internal chip removal and copy.
- Advanced imaging and file carving.
- Bypassing locked screens or encryption.
- Clean room disassembly and manual recovery.
These methods are extremely costly so are used only as a last resort. But they can sometimes recover data that appeared irretrievably lost or corrupted.
Conclusion
Recovering lost iPhone data like photos, messages, contacts, notes and voice memos is often possible if the right techniques are used quickly before files get overwritten. Backups and data recovery tools allow restoring deleted files in many cases. But if all DIY options fail, professional iPhone data recovery services sometimes offer a last chance for retrieving important data.