How Do I Restore Lost Data on My iPhone

Asking yourself, “How do I restore lost data on my iPhone?”, or are wondering if it’s even possible? We understand that losing data can be scary, but there are things that you can do to get it back. In this article, we will talk you through the process and help you get your data back so that you can breathe a sigh of relief. 

Here at imFixed, we handle more tech issues than you could ever imagine, from unresponsive iPhone screens and broken lenses to software update fails and iPhone speaker problems that we all deal with. We also do repairs, like the  front glass of iPhones as well as the back of the phone, broken power buttons, audio issues, faulty cameras, and so much more. 

So, if you have a tech issue that you need help with, why not read up on our articles, or bring your device to a store for us to check out?  

Recovering Deleted Files from the Recently Deleted Folder

Starting off with an easier one – recovering deleted files from the Recently Deleted folder on your Apple device. Luckily, all the data on your phone (sync to iCloud, saved locally, app data, etc) can be found in Files. 

When you delete a file, it gets moved to “Recently Deleted” for 30 days before getting permanently deleted. This means that if you have accidentally deleted something recently, you can easily access it again by going to that folder and restoring it. 

Here’s what you need to do: Files → Browse → Recently Deleted → More → Select the files that you want back → Recover 

Any files that you restore will be moved back to their original folders, so you won’t need to sort through them again. If you only want to restore one or two files, you can also long press on the chosen file and tap “Recover” to get the job done. 

We suggest checking the Recently Deleted folder every few weeks to make sure that you aren’t going to accidentally lose something important. Fingers slip all the time, and sometimes we don’t even know it. 

NOTE: You will need to go to the Notes App, Photos App, Message App, etc, to restore the appropriate files in the corresponding “Recently Deleted” folder. Not all iPhone data will be held in “Files”. If you want to restore photos, go to the Recently Deleted folder in the Photos App, etc. 

How Do I Restore Lost Data on My iPhone

Now, if you need to restore lost data on an iPhone that isn’t sitting in your recently deleted folder, you need to be prepared to spend a bit more time on the subject. While it’s entirely possible, the processes are more in-depth and will take a little while. 

If you don’t feel like you have the time or patience to do this, you can always bring your iPhone into a repair shop or Apple Store, and get help there. Whether you have backed up or not, there are methods that will get your data back, so let’s find out more about “how do I restore lost data on my iPhone”.  

Recovering Deleted Files From Your iPhone Without Backup

If 30 days have passed, and you haven’t backed up data, you can still get your data back. To do this, you will need to use a data recovery software tool such as iPhone Data Recovery, which will scan your device’s storage deeply and recover data from the iPhone 11,12,13,14, and 15 if you didn’t back it up. 

You won’t lose any existing data, and you will be able to preview the recoverable files before selecting and recovering them. Here are the broken down steps to follow:

1. Download the iPhone Data Recovery software (there are different options to choose from if you prefer to use a different one, just make sure it is trustworthy)
2. Plug your iPhone into the computer, launch the recovery software
3. Click “Recover from iOS Device” → “Start Scan”
4. Wait for the software to scan through your iPhone
5. Select which files you want to recover 
6. Click “Recover” and decide where you want the recovered files to go
7. Select “Recover” again after deciding file location, and wait for them to be recovered 

Recovering Any Permanently Deleted Files With Backup

If you have backups and would like to recover files, you can do this using iTunes or iCloud relatively easily, even if the files have been permanently deleted. We will go through these options below. 

Just remember that both of these methods will factory reset your iPhone if you are restoring permanently deleted files. The backup will replace all the current, existing data that is on your phone. 

iCloud Backup

To recover deleted files from an iCloud backup, you will need to reset your phone first. Here’s everything you need to do:

1. Reset your iPhone (Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings
2. Set your iPhone up
3. Select “Restore from iCloud backup” when you get to the Apple & Data Screen
4. Log into your iCloud using your Apple ID
5. Continue and choose the backup you want from the archives 

iTunes Backup

Here’s what you need to do to recover from backup using iTunes:

1. Open iTunes & connect to your PC/laptop
2. Select the correct device icon
3. Click “Restore Backup” in the Summary section
4. Pick the correct backup
5. Click “Restore”

Restoring Deleted Files on iCloud

You are able to keep folders and files up-to-date on various devices if you have iCloud Drive’s Sync this iPhone enabled on your device. To do this, you will need to go to Settings → (your name) → iCloud → toggle on Sync this iPhone. From there, all you need to do is recover your deleted files from iCloud. 

Here’s how you do it:

1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in using your Apple account
2. Click “Drive”
3. Select “Recently Deleted” on the sidebar
4. Decide which files you want to recover, then select “Recover”. If you want to recover everything, you can select “Recover All”

Remember that you can recover files that have been deleted from other apps within a month as well via Data Recovery. This could be from bookmarks, calendars, or anything else you can think of. Simple do this: 

1. Log into iCloud
2. Select the button in the upper right corner (it looks like a dot, but rectangular)
3. Click “Data Recovery”
4. Browse for the deleted files within the recoverable data types that show on the screen
5. Select all the files you would like to recover
6. Click “Restore”

imFixed Can Help You

Losing data can feel like a nightmare, but there are solutions to everything, which is what this article was all about! At imFixed, we offer local tech repairs in Rochdale, Oldham, and Manchester, and offer Apple screen protectors, chargers, and cases, as well as Android cases and holders. 

We aim to help you with all kinds of tech issues that you might come across, from iPhones that won’t charge or stay charged, detect SIM cards, vibrate, or connect to Wi-Fi. If you want to know how to access your rear iPhone camera, why you have poor sound quality while on calls, or if it’s worth replacing your iPhone battery, we go through everything you need to be aware of. 

So, how do I restore lost data on my iPhone? The process depends on what the data is and where it is, but there are usually solutions that will get it back to you. Hopefully this article has helped!

We suggest backing up your devices regularly to make sure that you can access everything you need if you ever lose data!