iOS recovery tools allow users to recover lost or deleted data from iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. They can be invaluable when you’ve accidentally deleted important photos, contacts, messages or other information that is not backed up.
What can an iOS recovery tool do?
An iOS recovery tool can typically perform the following functions:
- Recover deleted photos, videos, contacts, messages, notes, voice memos, call history, WhatsApp data, and more from an iOS device.
- Extract and recover data from iOS backups, including iTunes and iCloud backups.
- Extract and recover data directly from an iOS device without needing a backup.
- Allow previewing recoverable data before choosing what to recover.
- Recover data from locked, damaged, crashed or unresponsive iOS devices.
- Recover data after factory reset of an iOS device.
In summary, a good iOS data recovery tool can recover many different types of lost or deleted data from iOS devices and backups.
When would you need an iOS recovery tool?
Here are some common scenarios when an iOS recovery tool can help recover lost data:
- Accidental deletion – You’ve accidentally deleted important photos, videos, messages or other data and need to get them back.
- iOS update or restore – An iOS update or restore has caused data loss and you need to recover missing information.
- Water damage – Your iPhone or iPad was exposed to water and is now unresponsive. A recovery tool can extract data from it.
- Broken device – Your device is damaged or broken but you need to recover its data before repairing or replacing it.
- Lost device – You’ve lost your iOS device and need to recover the information that wasn’t backed up.
- Backup corruption – Your iTunes or iCloud backup has been corrupted or lost and you need to extract data from the iOS device.
- Jailbreaking – You want to recover data from an iPhone before performing a jailbreak.
- Formatted device – You’ve accidentally formatted your iOS device and need to recover erased files.
As you can see, data recovery tools for iOS can be extremely helpful in many different data loss situations.
How does an iOS data recovery tool work?
iOS recovery software works by scanning the iOS device or backup to extract recoverable data using advanced recovery algorithms. Here is a general overview of how they work:
- The iOS device is connected to a computer running the recovery software.
- The software scans the device and extracts recoverable data from the iOS file system.
- The user previews and selects which data to recover.
- The selected data is recovered and exported to the computer or another device.
Advanced iOS recovery tools use complex processes like parsing SQLite databases and decrypting encrypted data to ensure a high recovery rate. But the overall process remains straightforward for the user.
Recovering data directly from an iOS device
iOS recovery software can directly scan an iPhone or iPad and extract deleted data from its storage. This is done by analyzing the iOS file system and raw data to gather recoverable user files.
Direct iOS data recovery requires the device to be functional enough to establish a connection. But it does not need any backups, allowing recovery even when no backup exists.
Recovering data from iTunes and iCloud backups
iOS backups, including those from iTunes and iCloud, can also be scanned by recovery software. The tool extracts user data from the backup files, which may include photos, messages, contacts and more.
This backup recovery method is helpful when the iOS device is damaged, lost or has been wiped. The data can be restored onto a new iPhone or iPad from the backup.
What data can be recovered from iOS devices?
Here are the major types of data that can be recovered from iOS devices and backups:
- Photos – Camera photos, screenshots, photo library images, recently deleted photos.
- Messages – iMessage chats, SMS text messages, WhatsApp messages.
- Contacts – Names, phone numbers, email addresses, other info.
- Call History – Details of incoming, outgoing and missed calls.
- Notes – Notes, task lists, shopping lists, etc. written in the Notes app.
- Calendars – Calendar events and meeting details.
- Reminders – Reminder lists for tasks and to-do items.
- Voice Memos – Audio recordings and voice memos.
- Safari History – Browsing history and bookmarks from Safari.
- App data – Documents, chat histories and settings for apps like WhatsApp.
This list covers most common data types stored on iOS devices. Nearly all of this information can be recovered if deleted or lost using iOS data recovery software.
What iOS versions are supported?
Leading iOS recovery tools support all modern versions of iOS from the past several years. This includes the ability to recover data from the following iOS versions:
- iOS 16
- iOS 15
- iOS 14
- iOS 13
- iOS 12
- iOS 11
- iOS 10
- iOS 9
- iOS 8
Support also extends to accompanying iOS versions for iPads and iPod Touch devices running these iOS releases. This wide compatibility ensures you can recover lost data from nearly any recent iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch model.
Can you recover data without backups?
Yes, iOS data recovery is possible even without an iTunes or iCloud backup available. Advanced recovery software can extract deleted data directly from the device’s storage through a process called file carving.
Backup-free recovery relies on scanning the raw storage and rebuilding parts of the iOS file system. Although complex, this gives you a chance to recover data even if all backups are lost or non-existent.
However, backups can improve the recovery if they are available. It gives the software more sources to extract your data from.
How to choose the best iOS recovery software?
When evaluating iOS recovery tools, here are some key criteria to look for:
- High recovery rate – The tool should recover as much data as possible from all file types and apps.
- Direct iOS recovery – Option to recover data directly from an iPhone or iPad without needing a backup.
- Backup support – Ability to extract data from iTunes and iCloud backups.
- Preview before recovery – View found data before recovering so you can choose what to restore.
- User-friendly – Simple enough for anyone to operate with minimal technical skills.
- Quick scanning – Scan iOS devices thoroughly without taking too much time.
- Customer support – Responsive technical support in case any help is needed.
- Affordable pricing – Competitive prices for different budgets.
The best iOS recovery apps check all these boxes to deliver an effective, reliable and easy data recovery experience.
Top iOS data recovery software
Based on expert reviews and user popularity, here are some of the top iOS recovery tools currently available:
| Software | Key Features |
|---|---|
| iMyFone D-Back |
|
| Fonelab |
|
| iSkysoft Toolbox |
|
These are just some top examples – there are many more quality data recovery apps for iOS available. Read reviews and compare different tools to pick the best option for your needs and budget.
Tips for successful iOS data recovery
Follow these tips when using iOS recovery software to improve your chances of getting back lost data:
- Stop using the iOS device right away if data is lost or deleted. Continued usage overwrites deleted data making it harder to recover.
- Avoid restoring or updating the iOS device before recovery is attempted. This also overwrites data.
- Have backups available for the tool to scan, if possible, for most comprehensive recovery.
- Use a reliable recovery tool from a reputable provider for best results.
- Scan thoroughly – quick scans may miss some recoverable data.
- Preview found data before recovery to avoid restoring unwanted files.
- Save the recovered data to a different device or drive than the original.
- Contact customer support if you have any issues with the recovery process.
Following this advice improves the chances of successfully recovering lost iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch data with iOS recovery software.
Can you recover deleted data after a factory reset?
Yes, iOS recovery tools can recover data even after a factory reset or restore. This is because most files are not immediately erased during a reset.
Factory resetting an iPhone or iPad simply marks system data and user files as overwriteable. The actual deletion happens later as new data is added. But recovery software looks for these marked files that still contain deleted data.
So until those sections are rewritten, iOS recovery has a good chance to find previously deleted information and restore it.
Is iOS data recovery safe for my device?
Using a data recovery app does not make any changes or cause damage to an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. It simply reads data from the device or a backup.
A good iOS recovery tool will also safely handle encrypted backups, bypass lock screens and connect to unresponsive devices. Your device itself remains secure throughout the read-only recovery process.
However, it’s still a good idea to use trusted recovery software from reputable companies only. Check reviews to avoid tools that might tamper with the operating system or violate user privacy in any way.
Can you recover lost iPhone data after water damage?
If an iPhone or other iOS device has been water damaged, prompt data recovery is recommended. Water can quickly corrode electronic components and make data unrecoverable.
However, iOS recovery tools still have a very good chance of saving photos, messages and other important data from a water-damaged device. Just avoid turning the device on again until the recovery attempt.
The key is acting quickly before the internal circuits are further corroded by water and electrical currents. This gives professional data recovery services the best opportunity to extract the data successfully.
Is iOS data recovery expensive?
Most DIY iOS recovery tools are very reasonably priced, often costing between $30 to $100 depending on the features. Even affordable software can recover data effectively in most scenarios.
Professional iOS data recovery services are more expensive, with costs typically starting from $300. These services retrieve data from heavily damaged devices that DIY tools may be unable to handle.
So overall, iOS data recovery can cost very little if you are able to use do-it-yourself software. But expect higher prices for professional-grade services handling extreme data loss cases.
Can you recover permanently deleted photos from iPhone?
Yes, there are a couple effective ways to recover permanently deleted photos on an iPhone:
- iOS data recovery software – This scans the iPhone storage and extracts photos marked as deleted. A good tool recovers permanently deleted pictures, even from latest iPhone models.
- iCloud Photo Library – If you had iCloud Photos enabled, deleted pictures may still be present in your iCloud storage for up to 40 days. You can restore them from there to your device.
So as long as you avoid overwriting the storage space, recovery software gives you an excellent chance at recovering photos even after permanent deletion.
What is the success rate for iOS data recovery?
The data recovery success rate for iOS devices is generally very high, often over 90% in ideal conditions. The exact number depends on factors like:
- Type of data being recovered – Simple data like contacts has a higher chance than complex databases.
- Time since deletion – More time means greater chance of overwrite.
- Device condition – Hardware damage reduces recovery success.
- Chosen recovery method – Direct or backup-based recovery have varying success rates.
Under good conditions, expect to recover most lost data successfully. Following proper procedure maximizes this chance – like avoiding device use after data loss, using advanced recovery tools, and recovering ASAP.
Can iOS recovery tools be trusted?
Leading iOS data recovery apps from reputable companies can be trusted to safely recover data from your device or backup. However, here are some precautions worth taking:
- Only download recovery software from the official provider website, never from 3rd party sources.
- Check reviews and user feedback about the software before using it.
- Beware of free iOS recovery tools that may have malware or privacy issues.
- See if the tool offers no data transmission or antivirus protection to keep your device secure.
As long as some basic precautions are taken, most mainstream iOS recovery software is perfectly safe and risk-free to use.
Conclusion
iOS data recovery software provides a way to recover lost or deleted information from iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices. It can save you from permanent data loss when you’ve accidentally deleted important files or had hardware failures. By extracting recoverable data from iOS devices and backups, these tools serve as a data safety net for Apple mobile device users. Just be sure to use trusted recovery apps from reputable developers to keep the process smooth and risk-free.
