6 Methods to Recover Deleted Files from iPhone with/without Backup

Accidentally deleted a file from your iPhone? Or did an iOS update or unexpected crash cause important data to disappear? Whatever happened, you probably want a simple way to get your files back without making things worse. Fortunately, there are several options worth trying, from checking Recently Deleted folders to restoring files from iCloud or a computer backup. In this guide, you'll learn seven ways to recover deleted files from your iPhone, including what to try if you don't have a backup.

Part 1: Where Do Deleted iPhone Files Go?

When you delete documents and data on your iPhone, where they go depends on the app and storage location. Some items are moved to a Recently Deleted folder or album, where you can restore them before they are permanently removed. Others may be deleted immediately.

For example, photos and videos deleted from the Photos app usually remain in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days. Deleted notes and files may also be available in their respective Recently Deleted folders, depending on how and where they were stored. If you can't find your files there, you may need to check iCloud or an available backup to see whether you can recover them.

Part 2: Recover Deleted File on iPhone from Recently Deleted

If you've accidentally deleted photos, videos, documents or notes on your iPhone, check the Recently Deleted folder first. Photos and videos usually remain in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days, giving you time to restore them. Deleted notes and documents may also be recoverable from their Recently Deleted folder.

To recover deleted photos and videos on iPhone:

• Open the Photos app and tap "Albums" or the relevant collection view, depending on your iOS version.
• Scroll down and open "Recently Deleted". Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode if prompted.
• Tap "Select" and choose the photos or videos you want to restore.
• Tap "Recover" and confirm your choice if prompted.

To recover deleted notes on iPhone:

• Open the Notes app and return to the "Folders" view.
• Open "Recently Deleted".
• Tap "Edit" or select the notes you want to restore, depending on your iOS version.
• Select the notes and tap "Move" to get back the deleted notes to a folder, if prompted.

If you can't find the deleted items in Recently Deleted, they may have been permanently removed or deleted from another storage location. In that case, check iCloud or an available backup for other recovery options.

Part 3: Find Deleted Files on iPhone Using Files App

We just said that the Photos and Notes app could save deleted items within its Recently Deleted album. The same design has been adopted in the Files app. When you delete items like documents, try to learn how to recover deleted files from your iPhone via the Files app:

• Launch Files on your iPhone.
• Head to "Browse" at the bottom right.
• Click the "Recently Deleted" tab.
• Choose "Select" at the top right.
• Tap "Recover" to get back documents or some other files.

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Part 4: Recover Deleted Files on iPhone from iCloud.com

iCloud is also shipped with a "Recently Deleted" folder, like in some native iPhone apps above. All the deleted images and video clips can be kept for up to 40 days. Thus, if you have ever synced your iPhone with this service, check out how to find deleted stuff on your iPhone from iCloud.com as below:

• Get into icloud.com and sign in to your iCloud account.
• Choose "Photos" from the incoming page.
• Click on "Recently Deleted" from the left menu.



• Preview and choose your desired photos/videos to recover.
• Tap the "Recover" option to regain deleted media from the iCloud web.

Part 5: Recover Deleted iPhone Files from iCloud Backup

Apple keeps your most recent iPhone backup in iCloud as long as you synced your iOS files with it automatically or manually. Want to get deleted stuff on your device from iCloud directly, you'll need to erase your iPhone first. To retrieve deleted iPhone files from iCloud backup, you can:

• Go to your iPhone's "Settings" > "General".
• Press "Reset" > "Erase All Contents and Settings". (How to restore an iPhone from iCloud without resetting?)



• A pop-up message with documents and data saved on iCloud will display.
• Click "Erase Now" and follow the direction to set up your iPhone.
• When you get to the "Apps & Data" page, touch "Restore from the iCloud Backup".
• Log in to your iCloud account.
• Enter the password and select the backup content you want to restore.

Part 6: Retrieve Deleted Files in iPhone via iTunes/Finder

If you backed up your iPhone before deleting the files, you may be able to retrieve them by restoring the backup. On Windows PCs and Macs running macOS Mojave or earlier, you can use iTunes. On Macs running macOS Catalina or later, use Finder instead.

Keep in mind that restoring a backup can replace much of the current data and settings on your iPhone with the contents of the selected backup. Before proceeding, back up any important data that isn't included in that backup.

How to restore deleted files from an iTunes backup:

• Install or open the latest compatible version of iTunes on your Windows PC.
• Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable and unlock the device if prompted.
• When iTunes detects your iPhone, click the device icon and select "Summary".
• Click "Restore Backup".



• Choose a backup created before the files were deleted.
• Click "Restore" and wait for the process to finish. Keep your iPhone connected until the restoration is complete.

For a Mac running macOS Catalina or later: Open Finder, connect your iPhone, select it under "Locations", and click "Restore Backup". Choose the appropriate backup and follow the on-screen instructions.

Note that this method only works if the backup contains the files you want to recover. It may not restore every type of deleted file, and it won't merge the backup's contents with all your current data.

Part 7: Recover Deleted Files from iPhone without Backup

If you can't find your deleted files in Recently Deleted and don't have a backup, MobiKin Doctor for iOS is another option worth trying. This desktop tool can scan your iPhone for recoverable data and lets you preview available items before saving them to your computer. It also supports selective data extraction from iTunes and iCloud backups, so you don't have to restore an entire backup to your device. Keep in mind that recovery results depend on the data type, recovery mode, and whether the missing content is still recoverable.

Key features of MobiKin Doctor for iOS::

• Recover deleted contacts, messages, etc., from iPhone without backup.
• Extract selected files from iTunes backups without restoring the entire backup to your iPhone.
• Restore data from iCloud without resetting your device.
• Retrieve supported data types, including contacts, messages, message attachments, photos, notes, calendars, call logs, and more.
• Preview available data and select specific items before recovery.
• Apply to various iOS devices, including iPhone 18/17/16/15/14/13/12/11/X/8/7, iPod touch, iPad, etc.
• It never interferes with the privacy of its users.

How to Recover Deleted Files from iPhone without a Backup

Step 1. Download and install MobiKin Doctor for iOS on your computer. Launch the program and connect your iPhone using a USB cable. Unlock your device and tap "Trust" if prompted.

Step 2. Once the program detects your iPhone, select "Recover from iOS Device". Choose the supported data types you want to scan and click "Start Scan".

Step 3. Review the scan results and preview the available items. Select the files you want to save, then click "Recover to Computer" to export them to your computer.

Video Guide:

FAQs about Recovering Deleted Files from iPhone

Q1. How can I recover deleted files from my iPhone without a backup?

First, check the "Recently Deleted" folders in the relevant apps, such as Photos, Notes, and Files. If the files aren't there, try checking iCloud.com or using a data recovery tool such as MobiKin Doctor for iOS. Whether you can recover the files depends on their type and current storage state.

Q2. Where do permanently deleted files go on an iPhone?

There isn't one universal location for permanently deleted files. Depending on the app and storage service, they may be removed from the usual recovery folders or become unavailable through normal recovery methods. Don't assume that a permanently deleted file can always be retrieved from the device.

Q3. Can I recover deleted files from my iPhone without a computer?

Yes, if the files are still in a Recently Deleted folder or can be restored through iCloud. Open the relevant app or visit iCloud.com to check your recovery options. However, restoring files from a computer backup or using desktop recovery software requires a computer.

Q4. Will restoring an iPhone backup recover deleted files?

It can, provided the backup contains the files you need. Choose a backup created before the files were deleted. Keep in mind that restoring a backup can replace existing data and settings on your iPhone, so save any important current data before proceeding.

Words in the End

If you've lost files on your iPhone, start with Recently Deleted and then check iCloud or your existing backups. When these options don't help, MobiKin Doctor for iOS offers another approach by scanning supported data and letting you preview and export recoverable items to your computer. It also supports selective data extraction from backups. Recovery isn't guaranteed, especially for permanently deleted files, but checking these options can help you find the best way forward.

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