Data loss can happen to anyone, and being prepared is critical. With the vast amounts of photos, documents, music and other irreplaceable files stored on devices, data recovery is an unfortunate necessity in the digital age. For Apple users, data loss may occur due to a wide range of factors like device malfunction, accidental deletion, or even software corruption. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to recover your important data on Apple devices.
In this guide, we will walk through Apple’s recommended data recovery options, as well as explore reputable third party solutions. With some basic preparation, you can rest assured your data is safe on Apple devices even in the event of unexpected data loss.
Common Causes of Data Loss on Apple Devices
Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs are prone to data loss from a variety of causes. According to Coolmuster (https://www.coolmuster.com/ios-recovery/5-causes-of-iphone-data-loss.html), some of the most common reasons for data loss on Apple devices include:
Accidental Deletion: This is one of the biggest causes of data loss. It’s easy to accidentally delete important files, photos, messages, notes, and more on an iPhone or iPad. Accidental deletion was noted as a top cause of data loss by sources like 3ver Higher (https://www.3verhigher.com/5-common-reasons-for-iphone-data-loss-how-to-recover-it/).
Hardware Failure: If an Apple device suffers from hardware failure, like a broken screen, damaged ports, or storage failure, it can cause data loss. The device may become unusable and data inaccessible.
Software Corruption: Issues like bugs, crashes, errors, and jailbreak failures in the iOS, iPadOS, or MacOS software can lead to file corruption and data loss.
Natural Disasters: Water damage, fire damage, or other natural disasters can destroy Apple devices and make data recovery impossible through normal means.
Theft: Having an iPhone, iPad, or Mac stolen means losing access to all data stored on the device.
Apple’s Data Recovery Options
Apple provides a few different options for users to recover lost data on iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, as well as Mac computers.
The most common method Apple recommends is restoring from an iCloud backup. iCloud automatically backs up iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch daily when connected to power, Wi-Fi, and have enough available storage space. To restore from an iCloud backup, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups > Select backup > Restore from iCloud Backup. This will erase your device and restore the data and settings from your last backup [1].
For Macs, Apple’s recommended recovery method is to reinstall macOS using macOS Recovery. This is accessed by restarting your Mac and holding Command + R at startup, which will boot you into the Recovery environment. From there, you can reinstall a fresh copy of macOS and then migrate your data back from a Time Machine or iCloud backup. This preserves your data while starting fresh with the operating system [2].
Additionally, you can restore an iOS or Mac device from a local iTunes backup stored on your computer. Connect the device to the computer, launch iTunes, and find the Restore Backup option to load data and settings from that backup.
Finally, for significant recovery jobs, Apple recommends bringing devices into an Apple Store. Apple Store staff have access to advanced repair and recovery tools to attempt restoring data from damaged or non-functioning devices.
Third Party Data Recovery for Apple Devices
While Apple provides some options for data recovery, there are professional third party companies that specialize in Apple device data recovery and can offer more advanced services:
1. DriveSavers – With over 35 years of experience, DriveSavers is a leading expert in Apple device data recovery. They can recover data from iOS and Mac devices even with advanced issues like hardware damage or encryption.
2. EaseUS – EaseUS offers iPhone data recovery software and services to retrieve lost data from iOS devices. Their solutions support the latest iPhone models and iOS versions.
3. Wondershare – Wondershare provides user-friendly data recovery software for Apple devices. Their tools can recover data directly from iOS devices or from iTunes and iCloud backups.
The key advantages of using a professional third party service over Apple’s in-house options include more advanced recovery capabilities, experience recovering data from seriously damaged devices, and the ability to access data without backups in cases like forgotten passcodes.
Choosing a Data Recovery Company
When selecting a data recovery company for Apple devices, there are a few key factors to consider:
Certifications – Look for companies that hold certifications from Apple and data recovery organizations. This indicates they have the proper training and expertise. For example, DriveSavers is an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Experience – Choose a company that specializes in Apple data recovery and has many years of experience. They are more likely to have the advanced techniques and tools needed for Apple devices. For instance, Desert Data Recovery has over 25 years of experience.
Pricing – Data recovery costs can vary greatly. Avoid companies that charge extremely high fees upfront before evaluating a device. Look for transparent pricing information. PITS Data Recovery provides cost estimates before starting a recovery.
Customer reviews – Read reviews on independent sites to gauge customer satisfaction. A reputable company should have overwhelmingly positive feedback about their data recovery capabilities and customer service. DriveSavers has a TrustPilot rating of 4.8/5 based on over 1,700 reviews.
Evaluating Company 1
Company 1 (https://homestars.com/companies/192864-1stdatarecovery-com) is a full-service data recovery provider based in Vancouver, British Columbia. They specialize in recovering lost data from hard drives, SSDs, RAIDs, mobile devices, and more.
Overview
Company 1 was founded in 2003 and has over 15 years of data recovery experience. They are ISO 9001 certified and use Class 100 clean rooms and advanced data recovery tools.
Pricing
Company 1 offers free evaluations and price quotes. Their standard hard drive recovery costs around $300-$1000 depending on the drive size. RAID and SSD recovery is more expensive, usually in the $1000-$2000 range.
Pros
- High data recovery success rates
- Cleanroom facilities and advanced tools
- Free evaluations and quotes
- Generally positive customer reviews
Cons
- Above average pricing compared to some competitors
- Some complaints about slow turnaround times
Evaluating [Company 2]
[Company 2] is a professional data recovery service that has been in business since 2005 (DataRecovery.com Reviews). They offer recovery services for all storage media, including hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and RAID arrays. Some pros of using [Company 2] are:
- They claim to have an 86% success rate for data recovery
- Free evaluations to assess your device and determine if they can recover data
- Clean room facilities and advanced tools for safely extracting data
- Experienced data recovery engineers
Some potential cons to consider are:
- High costs that average $500-$1500 or more per recovery
- Some negative reviews about poor communication or unsuccessful recoveries (Reddit Discussion)
- Lack of price transparency before evaluation
Overall, [Company 2] has a long track record in data recovery and provides free evaluations. However, costs are high and success rates are not guaranteed, so customers should understand the risks involved.
Evaluating [Company 3]
[Company 3] is one of the leading data recovery companies that services Apple products. Founded in 2001, [Company 3] has over 20 years of experience recovering lost data from Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers (https://www.securedatarecovery.com/about).
For Apple devices, [Company 3] offers a range of pricing options depending on the device type and service level required. Basic recovery services start at $299 for iPhones and $499 for Macs. More complex cases involving damaged hardware or encrypted drives cost more. Express services are available for urgent cases, starting at $699 (https://www.securedatarecovery.com/services/apple-data-recovery/mac-data-recovery).
Some of the key pros of using [Company 3] include:
- High recovery success rates due to advanced techniques and proprietary data recovery tools
- Clean room facilities to safely handle sensitive devices
- Strong security protocols to protect customer data
- Free diagnostics to determine if data is recoverable
Potential downsides include:
- Higher prices compared to some competitors
- Slower turnaround times for non-urgent cases
- Limited customer service and communication during process
Recommendation
Based on an evaluation of the top data recovery companies that support Apple devices, DriveSavers stands out as the best option to recommend.
DriveSavers has over 30 years of experience solely focused on data recovery, demonstrating deep expertise and specialization. They are considered an industry leader and have recovered data for major corporations, government agencies, media companies, and individuals.
Their credentials are unmatched, with levels of security clearance, partnerships with major device manufacturers, and specialized tools and engineers to handle complex cases. DriveSavers recovers data from all Apple devices and operating systems.
Most importantly, DriveSavers has an excellent reputation for achieving high recovery success rates when other providers fail. They are transparent about pricing, with free evaluations and competitive costs compared to other reputable firms.
For these reasons, DriveSavers is highly recommended as the most capable and trusted data recovery company to use for Apple devices.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many potential causes of data loss on Apple devices, from hardware failure to accidental deletion. Apple offers some native data recovery options like iCloud backups and recovery mode, but for more complex data recovery, most experts recommend using a dedicated third party data recovery service.
After comparing the top data recovery companies for Apple devices, [Company 1] stands out as the top recommendation. They offer the most advanced capabilities for recovering data from iOS and Mac devices while maintaining the highest standards for security, customer service and success rates. Their experts can safely diagnose device issues and recover lost data from a wide range of scenarios.
In conclusion, for those who have experienced data loss on an Apple device, [Company 1] is the most reliable and recommended data recovery service to use for the best chance of getting your files back.
