How to find lost iPhone Backup files on Windows PC?

Summary: You have to restore iPhone data. But you cannot find backup files saved on your Windows PC or the backup files are unreadable. This post guides you to find iPhone backup on Windows PC and methods to restore it on your device.

You may get into a terrible iPhone data loss situation after a factory reset, stolen iPhone, jailbreak or physical damage to your device, etc. Backup is your only resort. But another shocker is waiting for you. You cannot find iPhone backup files once saved on your Windows PC.

Your backup files are not readable, and you have no clue how to access them.

In such a situation, keep calm and do not worry. If you have ever saved your iPhone backup on a Windows computer and are now unable to locate or access it, this post guides you to find an iPhone backup on a PC and how to restore it on your device.

Where are iPhone backups stored on Windows PC?

iPhone backups are safe copies of your complete device information. iTunes saves iPhone backup in the Users folder on a Windows computer. These backup files are not in a readable format. You can copy them but should never try to move files to a different drive, edit, rename or extract content. All such activities can ruin the backup files. However, you can make copies of your backup or delete backup that you do not require anymore.

Steps to find iPhone backup files on Windows PC:

• In the Search bar, enter %appdata% or %USERPROFILE% (if you downloaded iTunes from the Microsoft Store)
• Press Return
• Double-click these folders: Apple Computer > MobileSync > Backup

You can also locate iPhone backup in Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11 by following Users > (username) > AppData > Roaming > Apple Computer > MobileSync > Backup.

Cannot locate iPhone backup on Windows PC? Find and Restore data with iPhone data recovery software.

If you cannot find your iPhone backup data on your PC or cannot access the backup files, take refuge in third-party software – Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

How can Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone help you?

You can find, access, and restore lost iPhone backup files with Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone. It is a secure tool that efficiently scans the computer to find your iPhone backup. The recovered iPhone backup files are in readable form, and you can either save them on your PC or iPhone.

When you can use the Stellar iPhone data recovery solution

• You are unable to locate your iPhone backup files
• Your backup files are either lost or deleted.
• You cannot access iPhone backup files on Windows PC
• Not able to restore backup on your old/new iPhone

How can Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone recover lost backup files from PC?

The iPhone Data Recovery Tool by Stellar is a do-it-yourself software that quickly recovers complete iPhone data in a readable form from your Windows PC.

You can recover all your lost photos, videos, contacts, messages, Safari bookmarks, Call history, Reminders, Voice memos, Notes, WhatsApp, Kik, WeChat, Viber messages, etc.

It also offers a Deep Scan if your desired iPhone information is not recovered after the first scan. A deep scan does a comprehensive scan of the selected device or backup to recover every bit of lost or deleted backup information.

Benefits of Stellar iPhone Data Recovery

• Recovery of deleted or lost backup files
• Recovers data in a readable format
• Option to restore only that data from backup which you want to be in your iPhone
• Allows to save recovered backup on computer or iPhone

Step-by-step recovery of lost iPhone backup on Windows PC with Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the software.

Step 2: On the home screen, select Recover from iPhone. The scanning process begins.

Step 3: After scanning, all the files on your iPhone are listed.

If you do not see the required files in the list, choose Deep Scan. It will scan for the backup stored on your computer system.

Step 4: Select and save the recovered iPhone data at your desired location. You can save it on your iPhone if you want to restore backup data on your device or save it on your computer.

Wrapping Up

Losing iPhone data after factory reset, jailbreak, being stuck in a boot loop or physical damage, etc., can get messier when you cannot find or retrieve information from iPhone backup files saved on your computer. Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone significantly relieves such data loss situations.

This iPhone utility not only finds the lost iPhone backup files on Windows PC, but it also makes them readable and allows you to save/restore them to your iPhone or computer. Moreover, it lets you selectively transfer iPhone data on your iPhone rather than complete a backup.

You can download the free trial version to evaluate its performance. It is undoubtedly not going to disappoint you.

iPhone Data Recovery – An Infographic to Conquer iPhone Data Loss

DID YOU KNOW?

• More than 70% of people choose to upgrade to iOS 16 within a few days of release
• Analysis shows that about 20,000+ users experience data loss due to update failures and other related problems

TOP 5 CAUSES OF DATA LOSS

• iOS Update
• Accidental Deletion of Data
• Jailbreak failure
• iOS Restore
• Hardware or System Malfunction

WHAT ABOUT RECOVERING iOS DATA AFTER DATA LOSS?

iPhone Data Recovery  software helps you in such situations. Data exists in the internal memory of your iPhone even after deletion until it is overwritten by new data. Its advanced algorithm and internal underlying technology helps recover all deleted data from your iOS device, be it your iPhone or your iPad.

 WHAT YOU CAN RECOVER?

1. Recovers Deleted Photos from your iPhone – In just 3 steps you can recover your memorable photos from Camera Roll, Voice Memo, Photo Stream, etc.
2. Recovers deleted text messages from your iPhone – It not only recovers your text messages but also recovers your WhatsApp messages along with its attachments
3. Recovers deleted contacts from your iPhone – It retrieves your lost or deleted contacts from your iPhone, iTunes, or iCloud backup files
4. Recovers Safari Bookmarks – It easily recovers bookmarks from the Safari browser which you may have deleted accidentally
5. Recovers deleted data from iCloud backup files – It also recovers and restores data from your damaged iPhone through iCloud backup files
6. Recovers deleted data from encrypted iTunes backup files – In case any of your backup files gets accidentally deleted, the software enables you to access the data by removing encryption.

How to Recover Lost Data from iPhone After iOS Update?

Summary: If your iPhone data, such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, notes, etc., have disappeared after an iOS update, read this post. It guides you on how to recover data lost after an iPhone update to iOS 16/ 15/ 14/ 13. Also, download the best iPhone data recovery software — Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone — that can recover any data lost due to an iOS update or iOS crash.

‘When I upgraded my iPhone from iOS 15.6 to iOS 16.4, I lost my data (photos, videos, and apps) How can I restore data in my iPhone? Please help.’

As an iPhone user, you eagerly wait for iOS updates that fix various bugs and bring in new features and enhancements. But the charm of making your iPhone smarter and more secure vanishes when suddenly after the update, your contacts, messages, photos or videos, etc., disappear from your iPhone.

There have been several complaints about data loss from iPhone after upgrading to iOS 16, 15, 14, or 13. It is strange as Apple is known to enhance its iPhone data security with every new iOS version.

So why your iPhone data is lost after iOS update?

Technical anomalies after software upgrades are quite common. Even sophisticated Apple devices can lose data after updating to the latest iOS version or show other problems. Although you can restore your data using iTunes or iCloud backup , this may not work every time.

Addressing the problem, we have created a guide for you to recover data lost after an iOS update.

How to recover data lost after iPhone update

You are probably safe if you have created a backup in iTunes or iCloud before updating your iPhone. In this case, you can restore the lost data from the backup files. Otherwise, seek help of an iPhone data recovery software to recover lost data after iOS update.

Below are the methods to recover data lost after iPhone update:

1. Restore lost iPhone data using iTunes
2. Recover lost data after iOS update using iCloud
3. Recover data lost after iPhone update using software

Method 1: Restore lost iPhone data after iOS update using iTunes

Recover lost data from your computer using the iTunes backup you created before the iOS update.

Steps to recover iPhone data from iTunes backup:

• Connect iPhone to your PC/Mac with a USB cable. If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the prompts.
• Launch iTunes.
• Select your iPhone under the device list.
• Click on Summary.

Figure: Restore from Backup in iTunes

• Click Restore Backup.
• In the Restore from Backup dialog box, select the relevant backup date just before the iOS update.
• Click Restore. Wait until the restore process finishes. Keep your iPhone connected after it restarts. All your lost iPhone data will be restored on the iPhone.

In case iTunes could not connect to iPhone and shows value is missing error, learn how to fix and connect to iTunes .

Method 2: Recover lost iPhone data after iOS update using iCloud

All iOS device users have iCloud backup advantage. If, after the iOS 16/15/14/13/12 update, your iPhone contacts, Camera Roll, notes, messages, etc., are missing, recover them using the iCloud backup.

However, this method resets your device, and all existing data gets deleted. This means any photos, videos, messages, contacts, etc., which were added or received after the iOS update are removed.

Steps to restore photos from iCloud on iPhone:

• Click to follow Settings >General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase all Contents and Settings.

• In the dialog box, choose Erase Now.
• In the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.

• Enter Apple ID to sign in to your iCloud account.
• Select the recent backup before the iOS update and click Restore. All your missing data will be back on iPhone.

Figure: iPhone restore from iCloud in progress

In case: iCloud backup is greyed out, know here how to fix it .

Method 3: Recover lost data from iPhone after iOS update using software

An iPhone data recovery software is the easiest and quick solution to restore lost iPhone data after iOS update. It is recommended when you don’t have the iPhone backup, or you’re unable to restore data using iCloud or iTunes.

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone can find and restore contacts, videos, photos, audio, chat messages, Calendar, etc., deleted after updating to iOS 16/ 15/ 14/ 13. The software ensures that you recover even the hidden files in your iPhone or iPad after iOS update.

Moreover, you can restore old data without deleting any existing photos or videos that you added or clicked from your iPhone after the update.

The software can extract data from your iPhone, iTunes, and iCloud backup as well. There’s no need to reset or delete any data from your iPhone, when using the software.

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone is helpful, in case:

• You don’t have iPhone backup.
• iPhone data recovery using iCloud or iTunes backup failed.
• Some of your Contacts, iMessages, chats, photos, videos, Safari bookmarks, etc., are missing after recovery from backup.
• You want a quick and easy method to recover lost data after iOS update.
• You don’t want to reset your device to recover the missing data after the update.

The software is compatible with series of iPhone 14 / 13 / 12 / 11 / XS / XR / X / 8 / 7 & below and supports the latest iOS 17, 16 15, 14, 13, 12 and below versions.

 

Steps to restore iPhone after iOS update using software

• Connect your iPhone/ iPad to computer.
• Download Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your PC or Mac.
• On the main screen of the software, select Recover from iPhone.

• Select the data you want to recover and click Next. The scanning process begins.

• Next, preview and select the required data. Click Save to restore data on iPhone.

You can also choose the module Recover from iCloud backup or Recover from iTunes backup, if required.

Conclusion

Sometimes after an iOS update, you may not be able to restore iPhone using iTunes or iCloud backups. In such a situation, use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone. The software ensures you recover all data lost due to an iOS update.

The professional iOS data recovery software thoroughly scans your iPhone restoring missing contacts, iMessages, photos, videos, Voice Memos, Notes, WhatsApp chats, and other data. You can also preview the found data before saving them on your iPhone or iPad.

You can download the free trial of the software and preview the recovered iPhone data.

 

FAQs

1. Why did my contacts disappear on the iPhone?

If your contacts disappeared on your iPhone after installing iOS 16, it can be because you didn’t update the iOS appropriately. To recover lost iPhone contacts after the update, you need to factory reset your iOS device and try installing the iOS update again.

2. Where is the iPhone 16 update file located?

When updating your iPhone through iTunes on your Mac, you can find the update file in iPhone software updates. You’ll need to navigate to ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates.

3. Which iPhones will get iOS 16 update?

iOS 16 updates are compatible with iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone SE (2nd generation).

4. How to recover lost videos after the iOS 16 update?

If installing the iOS 16 update causes data loss, restore the iTunes or iCloud backup. However, if you forget to take a backup, for iPhone video recovery use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

5. Is iPhone deleted text recovery possible after factory reset iOS?

Yes, there is a chance to recover deleted text after factory resetting iOS using the backup stored in iTunes or iCloud.

6. Will iOS 16 update delete my photos?

No, your iPhone data, such as videos, and photos don’t get deleted during iOS 16 update. But if there is any interruption during updates like a power cut then there is a chance to lose data from iPhone. At that time, use backup for iPhone photo recovery and to restore deleted or lost photos.

7. How to recover deleted notes from your iPhone?

iPhone deleted notes retrieval can be done using – The recently Deleted Folder and iCloud backup if you have previously enabled iCloud for Notes.

8. How to recover imessages on iPhone?

For recovering imessages or any other lost or deleted files use iCloud. Just open iCloud.com > Advanced section > Restore files. Next, choose the files you want to restore.

Guide to Completely Erase Data on iPhone to Avoid Privacy Leak

With growing instances of data leak and misuse, there’s a fear of digital data on iPhone landing in wrong hands. Personal photos, messages, videos, contacts, or sensitive information such as bank details, shopping apps ID etc., are at risk when selling, trading off, recycling or donating your iOS device.

So what can you do to keep your old iPhone data away from strangers’ eyes and make it 100% unrecoverable?

One solution is the commonly used Apple’s recommendation — erase iPhone data by choosing ‘erase all content and settings’ on your device. However, with professional hackers and sophisticated software available, erasing data by this method doesn’t guarantee data privacy.

Experts suggest using trusted iPhone erasure software that is 100 % safe. The software can make iPhone data unrecoverable beyond the reach of any tool.

Let’s understand in detail how to permanently erase data on iPhone by these techniques.

Clean iPhone by using ‘Erase All Content and Settings’

To clear all data from iPhone use the’Erase All Content and Settings’ option in the settings of your iOS device. It is like factory resetting your iPhone.

All the app data, settings, passwords, photos, videos, contacts, documents, messages, Calendar, chats, music, audio files etc., gets deleted after factory reset from iPhone.

However, don’t forget to first take the backup of your iPhone data in iCloud or iTunes.

Steps to erase iPhone via Settings:

• Go to Settings.
• Navigate to General > Reset> Erase All Content and Settings.
• Click Erase Now in the dialog box. Enter Passcode and Apple ID password, when prompted.

This will erase iPhone data turning the device off. When you power on the iPhone, you will see all its data is deleted including, photos videos, apps, contacts etc.

Permanently wipe iPhone to 0% recovery – Secure & tested method

Although deleting data via ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ on iPhone will make your device as clean as new, but it is not enough. Your iPhone data after factory reset is still recoverable by hackers. Thus, to protect privacy and prevent data leak by any means, it is essential to erase iPhone with the help of a professional iOS eraser software .

You can find several iOS cleaner software online but here we recommend Stellar Toolkit for iPhone. The efficient software is the best way to wipe iOS device before you sell , recycle, or donate.

It removes your personal videos, pictures, contacts, notes, calendar, browsing history, call log, chats, messages, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other sensitive information saved on your iPhone. The secure DIY software supports the latest iOS 16 and below versions. You can erase all variants including iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone SE, iPhone 11, and above.

You can take the free trail and gage the software features and user-friendliness.

Step-by-step guide to erase iPhone data permanently:

Step 1: Download and launch Stellar Toolkit for iPhone on computer.

Step 2: Click on Erase Data module.

Step 3: On Erase iPhone Data screen, click **Next.
**

Step 4: As you see the Click Device to Select screen appears, connect your iPhone to computer.

Step 5: Select Erase.

Step 6: In the Erase Process box, select Yes.

Step 7: Data Erase Complete message box appears that asks for confirmation before erasing the data. Click OK.

Wrapping Up

After erasing complete iPhone data by using the secure iPhone eraser software by Stellar, there’s no need to worry about personal data leak. The software algorithms ensure that even the most advanced iOS data recovery tool cannot retrieve your information.

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FAQs

How do you permanently erase data so that it cannot be recovered from iPhone?

Use the best iPhone data eraser tool to permanently wipe iPhone data. This is a assure way to prevent data leak and protect privacy.

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