Data loss on iPhones can be extremely frustrating. When important photos, messages, notes, and other personal data suddenly becomes inaccessible, most users desperately want to recover their files. However, the iOS file system and built-in security measures can make iPhone data recovery complicated or even impossible in some cases.
Understanding the common causes of iPhone data recovery issues and solutions can help users address these problems quickly and increase the chances of restoring their lost data. When done properly, data recovery for iPhones has a high success rate, allowing users to recover precious memories and critical information.
Common Causes of Data Recovery Failure
There are a few common causes of why data recovery can fail on an iPhone:
Corrupted data – If the data itself has become corrupted due to a software glitch or file system issue, data recovery attempts may fail to properly reconstruct the files. Resetting the iPhone can potentially fix software-related corruption.
Hardware damage – Physical damage to the iPhone’s storage hardware like the flash memory can lead to irrecoverable data loss. For example, water damage may make data recovery impossible if circuits are damaged.
Software issues – Bugs, crashes, or errors with the iOS software can sometimes cause data recovery to fail. Updating to the latest iOS version may resolve software-related problems. Additionally, errors during an iOS update or restore can negatively impact data recovery.[1]
Problems with the data recovery software itself can also interrupt the recovery process. Using a different recovery program may yield better results if this occurs.
Trying Data Recovery Again
If data recovery fails the first time, don’t give up hope. There are several steps you can try to get data recovery working again on your iPhone:
First, let your phone cool off and charge to 100%. Data recovery requires a lot of system resources, so having a fully charged and cool phone helps ensure peak performance. Give your phone at least 15-30 minutes to return to a normal temperature before trying again.
Next, try hard resetting your iPhone by holding down the power and home button together until you see the Apple logo. This clears out any glitches that may be preventing recovery.
Make sure both your iPhone and computer have the latest iOS and iTunes updates installed. Older versions can sometimes cause compatibility issues. Visit Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone and Apple Menu > Software Update on your Mac or PC to check for updates.
Finally, try a different computer and USB cable if possible. Some USB ports or cables may not work properly for data transfer. If you have another computer or cable available, use that to attempt data recovery again.
With some patience and following these tips, you have a good chance of successfully completing the data recovery process.
Using Data Recovery Software
One of the best options for recovering lost or deleted data from an iPhone is to use data recovery software. There are many data recovery apps available, both free and paid. Some top options include:
Dr.Fone – This is a popular paid software with a high recovery success rate. It can recover up to 18 different file types from iOS devices and works without needing to back up to iTunes first (Source).
EaseUS MobiSaver – Another paid software that recovers lost data by scanning the iPhone directly. It works on the latest iOS versions and has a user-friendly interface (Source).
iMyFone D-Back – A free data recovery option with the ability to scan and preview found data. The paid version allows data recovery without limits (Source).
In general, paid software offers more features and better recovery success compared to free versions. However, free software can still recover deleted data in many cases. The advantage of software is it gives you direct access to recover data without needing to send your device away.
Sending to Data Recovery Service
If you are unable to successfully recover data on your own, using a professional data recovery service may be necessary. Data recovery services have advanced tools and techniques that can repair devices and retrieve lost data in many cases. However, these services can be expensive.
According to Rossmann Repair Group, iPhone data recovery through their service starts at $300 and goes up to $450. For newer iPhone models like the iPhone X, their pricing starts at $450 and goes up to $600. FlashFixers charges upwards of $1,500 for iPhone data recovery. Costs vary depending on the device, damage, and amount of data to be recovered.
The process involves shipping your device to the data recovery service and getting a quote for the work. Most services have you fill out a form describing the issue and data needed. Once they receive the device, it undergoes evaluation and you are contacted with an exact quote. The recovery work takes 1-3 business days in most cases. Your device is then shipped back with the recovered data.
Preventing Data Loss
Preventing data loss in the first place is always preferable to trying to recover lost data. There are a few key ways to help prevent data loss on an iPhone:
Regular Backups
Backing up your iPhone regularly through iCloud or iTunes is critical to avoid data loss. iCloud automatically backs up your iPhone when connected to power, WiFi, and every 24 hours. You can also manually back up to iCloud or to your computer in iTunes (https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/back-up-iphone-iph3ecdd104/ios).
Handling Phone Carefully
Being careful with your iPhone physically can prevent against drops, liquid damage, or other physical damage that could cause data loss. Use a protective case and screen protector. Avoid exposing your iPhone to moisture or extreme heat or cold (https://capsicumgroup.com/ten-tips-to-protecting-personal-data-on-iphones/).
Software to Protect Against Data Loss
Enable security features like Find My iPhone, passcodes, and Advanced Data Protection to prevent unauthorized access and data loss or theft. Only install apps from the App Store and update software regularly to protect against security exploits (https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-advanced-data-protection-iph584ea27f5/ios).
Recovering From a Backup
One of the best ways to recover lost data from an iPhone is to restore it from a recent backup. There are two main backup options for iPhones – iTunes backups and iCloud backups.
To restore from an iTunes backup, first connect the iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed. Open iTunes and go to File > Devices > Restore from Backup. Select the desired backup from the list and click Restore. iTunes will restore the iPhone from the chosen backup, recovering the data that was on the device when that backup was created (source).
For an iCloud backup, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups on the iPhone. Tap the desired backup, then tap Restore to recover data from that iCloud backup. You can also erase the iPhone entirely and choose to restore from an iCloud backup during setup (source).
Restoring from a recent iTunes or iCloud backup is often the most straightforward way to recover lost notes, messages, photos and other data on an iPhone. Just be sure to choose a backup that contains the data you want to restore.
When Data is Unrecoverable
In some cases, data on your iPhone can be lost forever and become completely unrecoverable. This usually happens when the data is overwritten or erased in a way that makes recovery impossible.
Here are some common scenarios that can lead to unrecoverable data loss on an iPhone:
- Performing a factory reset – This erases all data and settings on the iPhone and overwrites the existing data, making it unrecoverable.
- Updating to a newer iOS version – The update process can sometimes overwrite deleted files that were recoverable on the previous iOS version.
- Repairing the iPhone – Repairs that involve replacing components like the logic board can result in data loss if the original components are not re-used.
- Severely damaged or corrupted storage – Hardware faults, water damage, etc. can make data recovery impossible if the storage is corrupted.
When data loss is unrecoverable, the most important thing is to accept that the data is likely gone for good and avoid wasting time and money on data recovery attempts that are extremely unlikely to work.
Going forward, it’s best to focus energy on recreating any truly valuable data that’s been lost. For photos or videos, you may be able to get copies from friends who you originally shared them with. Important documents or notes can be rewritten. The key is avoiding frustration and moving forward in a productive way.
It’s also crucial to implement a thorough backup system for all your iPhone data so you can avoid going through this type of permanent data loss again in the future.
Seeking Professional Help
If you’ve exhausted all options for recovering data on your iPhone yourself without success, it may be time to seek help from a professional iPhone data recovery service. There are a few instances when it’s best to take your phone to a repair shop rather than trying to recover data on your own:
- If the iPhone is not powering on or is stuck on the Apple logo, a technician may be able to repair the hardware issue and regain access to the data. This requires specialized tools and skills.
- If you accidentally deleted important data and do not have a backup, a professional service may have data recovery software that can scan the iPhone’s storage and recover deleted files. Examples include Secure Data Recovery and DriveSavers Data Recovery.
- If your iPhone suffered physical damage like water exposure or a smashed screen, a repair shop can disassemble the device and access internal memory chips to extract the data. This is beyond what most users can do at home.
The main advantage professionals have over DIY iPhone data recovery is their access to advanced tools, spare parts and clean room facilities. They can perform specialized procedures like microsoldering and directly reading the NAND flash memory that average users don’t have the skills or equipment for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are experiencing issues with data recovery on your iPhone, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try. First, make sure your iPhone has enough storage space and battery to complete the recovery process. Try restarting your iPhone and running the recovery again. Using data recovery software or sending your device to a professional recovery service are also options if you are unable to successfully recover data on your own.
The best way to avoid data loss is prevention. Regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes and enable encryption to protect your data. Also be careful about deleting data and don’t store your only copy on your iPhone. If you do experience data loss, hopefully you will be able to restore from a recent backup. If not, you may need to consult with data recovery experts to attempt to retrieve your data.
In summary, take proactive steps to prevent data loss, always maintain backups, and know there are recovery options available should you ever lose important iPhone data.
Human: Here is a draft outline for the full article:
Introduction
– Brief background on data recovery issues on iPhone
Common Causes of Data Recovery Failure
– Not enough storage space
– Low battery during recovery process
– Software bugs or glitches
Trying Data Recovery Again
– Restart iPhone and retry recovery
– Check for any error messages
– Ensure proper settings enabled
Using Data Recovery Software
– Professional tools can bypass limitations
– Options like iPhone Data Recovery
– Steps for using recovery software
Sending to Data Recovery Service
– Pros have advanced tools and clean room facilities
– Expensive but highest success rate
– Examples like DriveSavers
Preventing Data Loss
– Regularly backup to iCloud or iTunes
– Encrypt backups
– Avoid storing only copy on iPhone
Recovering From a Backup
– How to restore from iCloud or iTunes backup
– Ensure backups are recent enough
When Data is Unrecoverable
– If professional service cannot recover data
– Learning experience for future backup diligence
Seeking Professional Help
– When to turn to experts vs DIY options
– Data recovery services and costs
Conclusion
– Recap of key steps
– Importance of prevention and backups