Introducing the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ Error
The ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ error occurs on iPhones when attempting an iOS restore or update and is indicated by a pop-up message stating “Data recovery could not be completed. Please restore this iPhone from a backup.” This error essentially means the data on your iPhone is corrupted or incompatible and prevents the normal system recovery process.
There are several potential causes for the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ error message. The most common reasons include having a corrupt or damaged data partition, insufficient iCloud storage for backup, using an outdated or damaged backup file, unauthorized file system modifications, and hardware issues like a faulty logic board.
Understanding why this error occurs is the first step to identifying the underlying problem and taking steps to successfully recover your iPhone data.
Corrupt or Damaged Data
One of the most common causes of the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ error is corrupt or damaged data on the iPhone (Source). Data can become corrupted in a few ways:
Failed iOS updates – Bugs or issues during an iOS update can sometimes corrupt system files and make data recovery impossible. If the update fails to fully complete, it can leave data in an unstable state.
Physical damage – Dropping an iPhone, getting it wet, or other physical trauma can damage components and make data recovery difficult or impossible. Water damage in particular can short circuit logic boards and disrupt access to data.
Malware or rogue apps – Rarely, bugs, viruses, or unauthorized apps can modify data in unexpected ways that break FileVault encryption or otherwise block data recovery.
Restoring a damaged backup – If restoring from a corrupted or otherwise damaged backup file, this can transfer the corrupt data back onto the device and lead to the error.
In essence, any event or issue that modifies, damages, or corrupts key data can lead to the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ error. Physically damaged devices or botched updates tend to be the most common sources of this type of widespread data corruption.
Insufficient iCloud Storage
One of the most common reasons for the “Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed” error is having insufficient storage space in iCloud. iCloud uses cloud storage to store device backups, photos, documents and other data from Apple devices. If your iCloud storage is full or nearing capacity, it can prevent new backups from completing and cause errors when trying to restore data from a previous backup.
When your iCloud storage is insufficient, you may see alerts stating “Not Enough iCloud Storage” or “Backup Unsuccessful” when attempting a backup. According to Apple Support, if you get an alert that there is not enough iCloud storage available, you can fix this by freeing up space or upgrading your iCloud storage plan.
To free up space, you can offload unused apps, delete old messages, remove stored photos and videos, or temporarily disable certain iCloud syncing features like iCloud Photo Library. You may need to delete content across multiple devices backing up to your iCloud account. Upgrading to a higher iCloud storage tier can provide the additional space needed for successful backups and data recovery.
Ensuring you have adequate iCloud storage and routinely managing your iCloud content can help avoid data recovery errors due to insufficient space.
Outdated or Damaged Backup
One potential cause of the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ error is trying to restore from an outdated or damaged backup. Over time, iOS backups can become outdated as new data is added to the iPhone. If the backup is too old, it may be missing crucial data needed to fully restore the device.
Additionally, backup files can become corrupted or damaged, especially if stored on a failing hard drive. Trying to restore from a damaged backup file will likely result in the data recovery process failing with an error. As noted on the Apple Discussions forums, “Restoring damaged backup will lead to error” (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8497204).
To resolve this issue, users should create a fresh, up-to-date backup through iTunes or iCloud and use that to restore their iPhone. Checking backup integrity and re-downloading backups from iCloud may also help in the case of a damaged file. Using a properly functioning backup is key to successful data recovery.
Unauthorized Modifications
One common cause of the “Data recovery could not be completed” error is making unauthorized modifications to the iPhone’s operating system, such as jailbreaking or hacking. Jailbreaking removes restrictions and allows root access to the iOS system files. While some users jailbreak to install unauthorized apps and customize their device, it can damage system software and cause data recovery issues.
The best practice is to avoid making any unauthorized modifications to the iPhone’s iOS through jailbreaking, hacking, or installing unsupported software. Sticking to the official iOS version through authorized updates via iTunes or over-the-air (OTA) is the safest way to avoid potential software corruption that blocks the system from properly recovering data.
As this source explains, jailbroken iPhones are more prone to data recovery problems after updates go wrong. Reverting unauthorized changes or restoring the device is the main solution.
Logic Board Failure
A hardware issue with the logic board can prevent successful data recovery. The logic board contains the phone’s processor and memory chips that store data. If these components malfunction or fail, the iPhone will have trouble powering on or accessing data as usual. This can lead to the ‘Data Recovery Could Not Be Completed’ error.
According to iFixit, “The only way to get data is to figure out why the phone won’t boot, and solve that problem so that it will natively boot and accept passcode.” (Source) In some cases, the logic board may need professional repair or replacement to restore functionality and access the data.
Third party data recovery services using specialized tools may be able to recover data from a damaged logic board. But hardware repair or replacement is usually required for users to directly access and recover data from an iPhone with a faulty logic board.
Fixing the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ Error
There are a few DIY fixes you can try before taking your iPhone to a repair shop or the Apple store. A hard reset, where you force restart your iPhone, is one of the easiest things to try first. To hard reset an iPhone 11, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
If a hard reset doesn’t work, you can try restoring your iPhone using a Mac or PC with the latest version of iTunes installed. Connect your iPhone to your computer, open iTunes, and choose to restore your device. This will wipe your iPhone and reinstall the latest iOS software. Make sure you have a recent backup before restoring.
You may also want to check that you have enough iCloud storage and your backup is current. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage on your iPhone to check your storage usage. Upgrade your iCloud storage if needed.
If you’ve tried basic troubleshooting without success, it’s best to take your iPhone to an Apple store or authorized third-party repair shop. They have more advanced tools to diagnose hardware issues that could be causing the error. Things like a faulty logic board may require professional repair. An Apple Genius or experienced technician can also attempt data recovery if absolutely needed.
Preventing Data Recovery Issues
One of the best ways to avoid the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ error is to take preventative measures to protect your data and maintain regular backups. Here are some tips to help prevent data recovery issues:
Regularly backup your iPhone data and update backups often. You can backup to iCloud or to your computer using iTunes. Keeping current backups ensures you have a version of your data to restore in case issues arise. As recommended by Stack Exchange, consistent backups make data recovery difficult if the phone is lost or stolen.
Maintain enough iCloud storage for comprehensive backups. Upgrading your iCloud storage if needed can help ensure full device backups to safeguard your data.
Avoid unauthorized modifications to the operating system. Jailbreaking or otherwise hacking the iPhone can lead to system issues that complicate data recovery. As Apple discussions suggests, unmodified devices have the highest success rates for data recovery.
Taking preventative steps like these can help minimize the chances of experiencing the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed’ problem in the first place.
Recovering Data Through Third-Party Software
Third-party software like iMyFone Fixppo can sometimes recover lost or deleted data from iPhones and other iOS devices. These programs use advanced scanning algorithms to locate recoverable user content on the device’s storage. By creating an unaltered disk image copy, third-party software can extract data without overwriting the original files.
This approach works well for recovering data lost due to accidental deletion, device crashes, forgotten passcodes, or some types of iOS corruption. However, third-party iOS data recovery software cannot recover data lost due to hardware damage or failure. So while these tools provide another option for data recovery, they cannot fix all causes of the “Data recovery could not be completed” error.
Before using data recovery software, it’s recommended to first try restoring a backup either locally or via iCloud. If those options fail, third-party recovery tools may locate the lost data if it still resides intact on the device’s storage. Recovery success depends on the cause and extent of data loss.
When to Contact Professional Data Recovery
In some cases, DIY solutions may not be enough to recover your lost iPhone data. Professional data recovery services have more advanced tools and expertise to address complex data loss situations. Here are some examples of when it’s best to seek professional help:
If you have critical or irreplaceable data on your iPhone that absolutely needs to be recovered, the pros have the best chance of retrieving it successfully. They use specialized software and hardware that’s beyond most consumer-grade data recovery apps.
Professionals can potentially recover data even after catastrophic hardware damage. For example, if your iPhone suffered water damage, a cracked screen, or logic board failure, DIY software is unlikely to work. But pros have access to data extraction tools that can interface directly with the iPhone’s memory chips.
If you accidentally restored or wiped your iPhone, thinking the data was safely backed up when it wasn’t, professionals may still be able to recover the lost data. The more you’ve continued using the iPhone since, the lower the chances, so contacting the pros immediately is important.
Data recovery services typically charge several hundred dollars or more. But for business-critical or priceless personal data, the cost is often worthwhile compared to the data being lost forever. Reputable providers like Geek Squad or Rossmann Repair Group can give you an assessment of the recoverability and cost.