How to recover deleted files on iPhone

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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In this detailed guide, we will show you the different methods you can use to recover deleted files on your iPhone. Losing important files can be quite frustrating, but there are several ways you can get them back. Whether it's photos, messages, contacts or other types of files, you'll find step-by-step instructions here to help you get back your lost data.

1. Check the Recently Deleted folder

The first and easiest way to recover deleted files is to check the Recently Deleted folder. This folder temporarily stores deleted files for a certain period of time, usually 30 days, after which they are permanently deleted.

Steps to recover photos and videos:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Albums at the bottom.
3. Find the Recently Deleted album and open it.
4. Select the photos or videos you want to recover.
5. Tap Recover in the bottom right corner, and then tap Recover Photo or Recover Video to confirm.

Recovering deleted notes:

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Navigate to the Recently Deleted folder under Folders.
3. Select the note you want to recover.
4. Tap the folder icon and choose the folder where you want to move the note.

2. Use iCloud backup

If you regularly back up your iPhone using iCloud, you can restore a previous backup that includes deleted files. However, keep in mind that restoring from an iCloud backup will overwrite your current data.

Steps to restore from iCloud backup:

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top, then tap iCloud.
3. Select Manage Storage > Backup.
4. Choose the most relevant backup that probably contains the deleted files.
5. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
6. Follow the setup steps on your iPhone and choose Restore from iCloud Backup when prompted.
7. Sign in to your iCloud account and choose a backup to restore.

3. Restore from iTunes/Finder backup

If you've previously backed up your iPhone using iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later), you can restore your device from these backups to recover deleted files.

Steps to restore from iTunes backup:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later).
3. When your iPhone icon appears on the screen, select it.
4. Click on restore backup.
5. Select the relevant backup and click Restore.
6. Wait for the restore process to complete, keeping your iPhone connected the entire time.

4. Use third-party recovery software

In cases where the above methods don't work, you can use third-party recovery software designed to retrieve lost files on your iPhone. There are several reliable tools available such as Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData and iMobie PhoneRescue. These tools often require a computer to perform the recovery process.

Example steps of using Dr.Fone:

1. Download and install Dr.Fone on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Launch Dr.Fone and select Data Recovery.
4. Select the type of files you want to recover and click Start Scan.
5. Preview the recovered files and select the ones you want to restore.
6. Click Recover to Device or Recover to Computer as per your choice.

5. Retrieve deleted messages

Recovering deleted messages is a little different, but can be accomplished using the methods mentioned above, including iCloud and iTunes backups. However, here's an additional method specifically for messages:

Using iCloud messages:

1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
2. Scroll down and turn off Messages.
3. Wait for a few minutes and turn it on again.
4. iCloud will prompt you to merge the messages, which could bring back your deleted messages.

6. Get help from Apple Support

If all else fails and none of the methods mentioned above work for you, you may need to seek professional help. Apple Support can sometimes help recover deleted files, especially if there is an underlying issue causing the data loss.

Contacting Apple Support:

1. Go to the Apple Support website.
2. You can chat online, call, or visit an Apple Store to get assistance.

Advanced tip: Take regular backups to avoid data loss

The best way to avoid data loss and the need for recovery methods is to regularly back up your iPhone. You can do this via iCloud or iTunes/Finder.

Enabling automatic backups:

1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
2. Turn on iCloud Backup.
3. Your iPhone will automatically back up when it's connected to Wi-Fi, plugged in, and locked.

By following these steps, you can greatly increase your chances of recovering your deleted files on iPhone. Implement regular backups and be vigilant to ensure that your data remains safe and easily recoverable.

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