Check Recently Deleted
The first step in trying to restore a deleted item on an iPod is to check the Recently Deleted folder. When files are deleted from an iPod, they are moved to this folder and stored for 30 days before being permanently erased [1]. To access Recently Deleted on an iPod:
- Open the Photos app on the iPod.
- At the bottom, tap on the Albums tab.
- Scroll down and tap on Recently Deleted.
- Browse the contents of the folder to see if the deleted items are still there.
- If the deleted items are present, tap to select them, then tap Recover to move them back to the Camera Roll or other albums.
This allows you to easily restore deleted items as long as they were deleted within the last 30 days. If the deleted items no longer appear in Recently Deleted, then they have been permanently erased from the device.
Use iTunes Backup
One option to restore a deleted iPod is to use a previous iTunes backup. iTunes can back up your iPod data when connected to a computer running iTunes. According to Apple Support, “You can back up your iPhone using iCloud or your computer. To decide which method is best for you, see About backups for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.”1
To restore from an iTunes backup:
- Connect the iPod to the computer using the USB cable.
- Open iTunes on the computer.
- Select the iPod under the list of devices.
- Go to the Summary page and click “Restore Backup.”
- Select the desired backup and click Restore to restore the iPod data.
This will overwrite the iPod’s data with the iTunes backup data. Make sure you have the desired backup available before restoring. Restoring from a recent iTunes backup can potentially recover lost data if it was backed up before being deleted.
Try iCloud Backup
If you had iCloud backups enabled on your iPod before it was deleted, you may be able to restore from an iCloud backup. iCloud automatically backs up your iPod daily when it’s connected to WiFi, power, and has over 50% battery [1]. Here’s how to check for an iCloud backup and restore it:
- On a computer, visit icloud.com and sign in using your Apple ID.
- Click on “Manage Storage” and select “Backups” from the sidebar.
- Look for your iPod under devices. If a backup is listed, it means iCloud has a backup you can restore from.
- Click “Restore” next to the desired backup date to download it to your iPod.
If you don’t see any iPod backups listed, unfortunately there is no iCloud backup to restore from. You’ll need to try using iTunes or third party software instead.
[1] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204136
Use iPod Data Recovery Software
One of the best ways to restore deleted files from your iPod is by using data recovery software designed specifically for iPod and iOS devices. Programs like iSkysoft iPod Data Recovery have a high success rate in retrieving lost data from iPods.
To use iPod data recovery software to restore deleted files:
- Download and install the data recovery program on your computer.
- Connect your iPod to the computer and launch the software.
- The program will scan your iPod for deleted and existing files. This process may take some time depending on the size of your iPod.
- Once the scan is complete, you’ll be able to preview recoverable files.
- Select the deleted files you want to recover and restore them to your computer or a different device.
With iPod data recovery software, you stand a good chance of retrieving your lost photos, videos, music, messages, contacts, notes, and other data from your iPod, as long as the deleted data hasn’t been overwritten.
Reset iPod
Resetting the iPod to factory default settings is a common troubleshooting step that may help restore lost data or fix other issues. Before resetting, it’s important to back up your iPod data first. You can back up an iPod using iTunes or iCloud.
According to Apple Support, to restore all content from a backup you should first turn on a newly erased iPod and follow the setup instructions to choose a language and region. Then tap “Set Up Manually” and select “Restore from iCloud Backup” to restore from your online backup [1]. Restoring from an iTunes backup requires connecting the iPod to a computer with iTunes installed and allowing the software to sync the backup data.
Once your data is backed up, you can erase the iPod back to factory default settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset and select “Erase All Content and Settings.” This will delete everything on your iPod and revert it to out-of-the-box conditions. After the reset completes, you can then restore your data from the iTunes or iCloud backup.
Resetting can potentially fix a variety of issues by clearing out any corrupted data, caches, or problematic settings on the device. It may help recover lost storage capacity or improve battery performance. According to one Reddit user, resetting their iPad back to factory settings resolved battery drain problems [2]. However, resetting does not guarantee recovery of deleted data.
Contact Apple Support
Contacting Apple Support could be an option for recovering deleted data from your iPod. Apple has dedicated support teams that may be able to help users restore lost or deleted content from their devices and iCloud backups in some situations.
If you recently deleted content from your iPod, contacting Apple quickly can increase the chances of successful data recovery. Apple Support agents have access to tools and resources that general users don’t. They may be able to locate and recover recently deleted files and data that would otherwise be inaccessible.
However, the ability of Apple Support to recover deleted data depends heavily on the specific circumstances. If too much time has passed since deletion, or if the data was permanently erased, Apple may not be able to help. But for accidental or recent deletions, getting help from the experts at Apple Support could restore your lost iPod data.
When contacting Apple Support, be ready to provide details like when and how the data was deleted, what type of content it was, the specific iPod model and OS version, and any other relevant information. The more details you can give, the better chance the Apple Support team has of tracking down and recovering your deleted iPod data. Just be aware there is no guarantee. But it’s worth reaching out to Apple for help recovering recently deleted content from your iPod or iCloud backups.
Sources:
https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/recover-deleted-files-mmae56ea1ca5/icloud
Use Third Party Repair Service
Taking your iPod to a computer repair shop is another option to attempt recovering deleted files and data. Repair shops may have specialized software and tools that can access the iPod’s storage and attempt to restore deleted content.
The success of third party data recovery depends on the type of deletion that occurred. For example, if files were simply deleted but the disk was not formatted, the likelihood of recovering data is higher compared to if the disk was fully wiped or reformatted. Logical failures like corruption or bugs have a good chance of data recovery, while physical failures like disk damage make it much harder.
According to 300DollarDataRecovery.com, the average cost of professional data recovery service starts around $300. Rates can vary depending on the storage capacity of the device and complexity of the recovery case. Shop around and read reviews to find a reputable local repair shop with strong data recovery capabilities.
Prevent Future Data Loss
While recovering lost iPod data can be challenging, there are some steps you can take to prevent data loss in the future:
Regularly backup your iPod
Backing up your iPod to iTunes or iCloud on a regular basis is one of the best ways to prevent permanent data loss. This will ensure you have a copy of your music, videos, photos and other files in case something happens to the data on your iPod itself. Make it a habit to connect your iPod to your computer and perform an iTunes backup at least once a week.
Use the Find My iPod feature
If you enable Find My iPod in your iCloud settings, you’ll be able to use the Find My app to locate your iPod if you ever lose it. This can prevent permanent data loss by helping you retrieve a lost or stolen iPod before the data is deleted. The Find My app also allows you to remotely lock or erase data from your iPod if needed.
Enable data protections
In your iPod settings, you can enable features like Touch ID or Face ID to add extra security to your device. You can also enable encryption and passcodes to prevent unauthorized access if your iPod is lost or stolen. These types of protections make it much less likely your data will be compromised.
Accept Data is Lost
If you have exhausted all options to recover your deleted iPod data, including iCloud and iTunes backups, data recovery software, resetting your iPod, and contacting Apple support, the hard truth is that the data may be unrecoverable at this point (1). Once data is permanently deleted, it can be challenging if not impossible to get it back. According to one study, up to 94% of companies that experience severe data loss are never able to recover their lost data (2).
When data is deleted, it is not immediately erased from the device storage. Rather, the space it occupied is marked as available to be overwritten. As long as that space has not been reused, data recovery is often possible. However, the more a device continues to be used after deletion occurs, the higher the chance the deleted data gets overwritten with new data, rendering it essentially irrecoverable (3).
If you have tried every recommended step without success, focus your efforts on moving forward in a positive direction. Consider setting up an automated backup system, like iCloud or iTunes sync, to prevent future data loss disasters. While the loss of your iPod data is undoubtedly disappointing, in most cases it is not the end of the world. Cherish the memories you still have and make new ones going forward.
Summary
In summary, there are several things you can try if you’ve accidentally deleted content from your iPod. First, check the Recently Deleted folder on the device itself to see if it’s still there. You can also connect the iPod to iTunes and see if there’s a backup available to restore from. Another option is to check iCloud backups if you have iCloud syncing enabled.
If those options don’t work, you may need to use iPod data recovery software designed to retrieve deleted content. Resetting the iPod to factory settings could work as well, but risks permanently losing data. If you exhaust all self-help options, you can contact Apple support or a third party repair service for assistance.
To avoid this situation in the future, be sure to regularly back up your iPod through iTunes or iCloud. Maintaining current backups is the best way to protect your data and ensure you can restore lost or deleted content. While nothing is foolproof, backups give you the best chance of recovering from accidental data loss.
