How to Recover Deleted Photos, Videos & Music Files from iPhone

Summary: Learn how to recover deleted photos, videos and music files from iPhone using the best recovery software —Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

There are zillions of tutorials one can find on how to take incredible photos with the A10 fusion chipped smartphone; however, few know how to recover deleted photos from iPhone. As a coin has two sides, through this post, we will explore the other untouched, unexplored side.

iPhone has been the epitome of perfection ever since it entered the smartphone realm. With stellar features and functionality, iPhone has become the highest selling property. There are some hidden iPhone camera features that users can utilize and take amazing photos and videos which leave a lasting impression.

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Recovering deleted photos from iPhone is a straightforward process and do not involve much complexity, provided the right steps are implemented in the right manner.

Without much ado, you can recover deleted iPhone photos or videos with these simple steps. Let’s delve into it in detail.

Solution 1:

Apple has made it easy to recover deleted iPhone photos. Here’s what you need to follow:

1. Go to the Albums and access your photos.
2. Scroll down and select ‘Recently Deleted’ folder.
3. In this folder, you will find all the photos that have been deleted.
4. Simply tap the photo you want to recover and press “Recover.”
5. To permanently delete a photo, press “Delete”.

Figure 1 represents how to recover photos from Recently Deleted folder

**Important: In the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder, you’ll find photos, video & music files that have been deleted within the last 30 days only. To recover them before that period, either you have to restore from iTunes or iCloud backups or use iPhone photo recovery software .

Solution 2:

iCloud Photo Library to Your Rescue:

You can recover iPhone photos or videos through iCloud Photo Library. iCloud Photo Library securely stores your photos and videos on iCloud. It automatically saves all your photos and videos in iCloud so that you can access the library from any device.

Follow these steps to turn on the iCloud Photo Library:

1. Go to settings < [your name] < iCloud < Photos, then turn on iCloud Photo Library (iOS 10.3 or later).
2. In iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings < iCloud < Photos.

**Important: Ensure that you’re signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID as on all of your devices. Things can be complicated as iCloud Photo Library is synced with your different Apple devices which means there could be multiple copies and if a photo, video or music file is deleted from a device, it will not be available on the other devices as well. Deletion sync across all the devices.

Solution 3:

iTunes Backup is there to recover all your photos.

1. Click File menu, select Devices < Restore from Backup.

Or

1. Open the iOS device’s Summary tab. There are two ways to access this:
2. Click the device button in the upper right corner.
3. In iTunes tab, click the View menu and select Show Sidebar. Select your iOS device in iTunes under Devices.
4. Click the Restore Backup button.

Solution 4:

Use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone:

iPhone Data Recovery Software  by Stellar is an ideal tool to recover lost data from your Apple devices. Utilizing its advanced algorithm, you can scan and recover data (photos, videos, calendar, notes, messages, call history, etc.) from your device. Furthermore, you can recover data from iCloud and iTunes backup as well.

 

1. Connect your iPhone to your system and launch “Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone” software.
2. Select “Recover from iPhone” and the software will scan your device for the contents.
3. Click on any file to see its preview.
4. Finally, click “Save” to save the recovered file to the preferred location.

The Final Word

Apple reflects perfection in its design and innovation; therefore, it constantly thrives to provide its consumers with the best platform. One such feature is that iOS can back up your photos on cloud services automatically so that you have access to them at any given time.

Moreover, there are iTunes backup, iCloud backup options available along with iPhone Data Recovery Software as well; but, it is advisable to backup your iPhone photos or videos timely and manually to avoid unnecessary issues.

What to do if iPhone is not listed when I run the software?

Your iPhone will only appear in the software if it is visible in iTunes on your computer. If your iOS device is not listed in the software, it means iTunes is not installed on your PC or Mac.

Download the latest version of iTunes and then launch the Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone software.

To launch iTunes on your computer:

When iTunes is not installed on your computer, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone  automatically generates the below message. It asks to download and install iTunes. You can click on ‘Click here’ to download iTunes.

If iTunes is already install on your computer and you don’t see your iPhone in the software, update your iTunes to the latest version.

iPhone users adore its camera. Capturing priced memories using its compelling features is one of the biggest attraction of the iOS device. However, like any other phone, the digital photos may get lost from iPhone too.

And the situation can be devastating if the lost photos include your precious memories — of a vacation, wedding, your child’s first birthday or a friend’s party, which you wanted to keep with you for a lifetime.

Helping you out in such a situation, here we bring the methods to recoup your memories back into your iPhone.

Why are your photos lost from iPhone?

There could be many possible reasons for the loss of photos from iPhone. Some common reasons are listed below:

• Accidental deletion
• Factory reset
• Camera Roll or Photo Stream crash
• Failed iOS update
• iPhone jailbreak
• Water damaged, stolen iPhone, and others

Methods to recover permanently deleted photos from iPhone

Different situations call for distinct methods to restore lost photos from iPhone.

Since with iCloud and iTunes, Apple ensures a backup for the iPhone photos, if available, get back the lost iPhone photos from there.

Wherein in absence of backup, an iPhone photo recovery software is the best way to get back the deleted or missing photos on your iPhone and iPad. An efficient iPhone recovery software , works regardless of the reason of the photo loss.

Other methods such as photo recovery from ‘Recently Deleted’ folder or turning on iCloud Photos can also work in specific situations.

These methods can be applied on all iPhone models including series of iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6S Plus, 6S, 6 Plus, 6, 5S, 5c, 5, 4S and 4.

1. Recover photos from ‘Recently Deleted’ on iPhone

The ‘Recently Deleted’ folder on iPhone keeps all the deleted photos for 30 days. Beyond this duration, the photos are automatically deleted from iPhone and this time permanently.

You can find the deleted photos from Camera Roll, Photo Stream, WhatsApp, SnapChat or Instagram etc., in this folder.

Check the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder on your iPhone. Find the required photos and move them back to your album.

Steps to restore photos from ‘Recently Deleted’ on iPhone:

• Go to the Photos app > Albums > Recently Deleted
• Find the missing photo and tap on it to Recover

2. Use iPhone Photo Recovery tool

In case of absence of photos backup, download and install Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your Mac or PC. Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone works with all the iPhone models including series of iPhone 6, 7, 8, X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, and 14. It supports latest iOS 16.

Situations when you should use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone:

• No backup of photos
• Permanently deleted photos from iPhone
• Accidentally deleted photos
• Unable to restore photos from iCloud
• Unable to restore photos from iTunes
• Photos lost after iOS update, Factory reset or jailbreak
• Photos lost after iPhone black screen of death
• Stolen iPhone, water/ liquid damaged iPhone etc.

Note: Apart from photos, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone can recover your deleted Videos, Contacts, Texts, Calendar, text messages, Notes, and other data.

Try the Free Demo Version of the software to recover your lost and deleted photos in Mac System or in Windows Desktop/Tablet

Step-by-step: Recover deleted photos from iPhone

• Connect your iPhone to the computer
• Launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
• On the first screen select Recover from iPhone
• Select Camera Roll and Photo Stream. To recover Instagram, SnapChat or other App’s photos, select Apps Library

• Click Next
• Preview and choose the photos you want to recover from the list

• Click Save

3. Recover from iCloud backup

Do you maintain iCloud backup of your photos? Then bring back the deleted photos on your iPhone via iCloud. iCloud photos recovery is possible in situations of accidentally or permanently deleted photos from iPhone. You can also recover photos lost after your iPhone is set on factory reset, damaged, or stolen.

Steps to restore photos from iCloud on iPhone:

• Click to follow Settings > General > Reset> Erase all Contents and Settings

• A dialog box pops up, choose Erase Now
• Follow the instructions until you get on to the Apps & Data screenTap Restore from iCloud Backup

• Sign in to your iCloud account

• Choose the recent backup and click Restore to get back the deleted photos on iPhone

How to recover Photos from iCloud without losing existing iPhone data

This method of iCloud photo recovery protects your existing iPhone data. It also allows you to select and recover only the lost photos from iCloud instead of complete backup data.

Follow the below steps to restore only the lost/deleted photos from iCloud:

• Download and launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your computer. Note: You don’t need to connect your iPhone for recovering photos from iCloud backup files.
• Select Recover from iCloud Backup on main screen of software.

• Select Camera Roll and Photo Stream and click Next.
• Enter the Apple ID and password.

• List of all available iCloud backup files appears. Select the relevant backup of your iPhone and click Scan.
• Click Camera Roll and Photo Stream in the iCloud backup files list on the left window. Preview the existing and deleted photos or search for a specific photo by typing a keyword in the search box. If the desired photo is not in the recovered files list, click Deep Scan.
• Click Save. In the dialog box select either computer or iPhone to save the recovered photos. To save the photos on iPhone, make sure the iOS device is connected to the computer.

4. Recover deleted photos from iTunes

For those of you who maintain iTunes backup, it is the easiest way to retrieve the deleted photos of iPhone. iTunes backup also helps to restore photos lost due to deletion or after factory reset.

Steps to restore photos from iTunes backup:

• Connect iPhone to your PC/Mac
• Launch iTunes
• Select your iPhone under the device list
• Select the recent backup date
• Click Restore Backup

All your lost and deleted photos will be restored on your iPhone.

How to recover Photos from iTunes without losing the existing iPhone data

Use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to protect your current data on iPhone. The software allows you to select and recover only the lost photos from iTunes. With this method, you can prevent unnecessary data recovery on your iOS device.

Follow the below steps to recover only the lost/deleted photos via iTunes:

• Download and launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone software. Note: You can connect your iPhone to computer, if want to save the recovered photos in the iOS device.
• Select Recover from iTunes Backup on the main screen of the application.
• Select Camera Roll and Photo Stream option. Click Next.

• From the list of the iTunes backup files, select the relevant iTunes backup from which you want to restore photos.

• If your iTunes backup is encrypted, a dialog box will open prompting you to enter the password. Enter the password and click OK.
• From the backup files list in the left pane, click Camera Roll and Photo Stream. Preview the existing and deleted photos or search for a specific photo by typing a keyword in the search box. Click Deep Scan at the bottom left side, if your desired photos are not in the list.

• Click Save. A dialog box appears asking to select the location to save photos. You can save the recovered photos either onto your iPhone or computer.

5. Enable iCloud Photos

Sometimes you could see the photos on iPhone but not on your synced iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac. To view these missing iPhone pictures on the synced iOS devices turn on iCloud Photos.

iCloud Photos stores the photos in iCloud. It ensures you can view them on your synced devices. If you can’t find a photo on your synced iPad, iPhone, or Mac etc., enable iCloud Photos under Settings of the iOS device.

Steps to turn on iCloud Photos on iPhone/iPad/ iPod Touch

• Click to follow Settings > [your name] > iCloud

• Tap Photos
• Toggle on iCloud Photos.

To turn on iCloud Photos on Mac

• Go to System Preferences > iCloud.

• Next to Photos, click Options

• Select iCloud Photos

Next, connect to Wi-Fi and wait for some time until your photos appear again on the synced devices.

Tip: When you turn on iCloud Photos, photos upload to iCloud but they are not duplicated in your iCloud backup. So make backup of your photo library. You can download your photos from iCloud.com to your PC/Mac and store them as a separate library or store them on a separate drive.

Comparison — iPhone Photo Recovery Methods

|

| Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone | Recover from iCloud | Recover from iTunes | Recently Deleted folder | Enable iCloud Photos |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Success Rate | High | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Photo Recovery without backup | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Effect on iPhone’s existing photos & other data after recovery | Existing data remains in iPhone | Deletes the existing iPhone data | Deletes the existing iPhone data | Existing data remains in iPhone | Existing data remains in iPhone |
| Select Photo and restore | Yes | No | No | Yes | Not applicable |
| Preview photos before recovery | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Difficulty level | Nil | Medium | Medium | Nil | Medium |
| Recovery options | Recovers from iPhone, iPad, iCloud & iTunes | Recovers from iCloud only | Recovers from iTunes only | Recover from iPhone & iPad (within 30 days of photo deletion) | Recover on iPhone synced devices |

How to Recover Deleted Videos from iPhone Without Backup?

Your iPhone X is supported by a strong and powerful operating system that makes your daily activities such as calling, emailing, messaging, web browsing, notes making, etc. easily possible. Also, capturing happy moments spent with family, friends, and your loved ones is another thing that you do with it. It is natural that the good times that you record becomes your favorite videos, which you love watching anytime you feel like.

However, at times in the event of making space in your iPhone X, or due to any other reason, you accidentally delete the videos, and end up losing one, more, or all of them. The situation becomes grim when you realize that you haven’t taken a backup of your favorite videos. You really do not know what to do to recover your deleted videos from iPhone  13 without backup. It is then that you understand the importance of having a backup and regret not creating the same for your favorite videos.

You can come out from such a situation with the help of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone. It is a comprehensive iPhone data recovery software tool through which you can recover deleted videos from iPhone X without a backup.

The videos you capture with your iPhone X gets stored in either the memory of the phone. However, once the videos are lost or accidentally deleted from there, you lose access to them. To recover deleted videos of iPhone X with Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone, you need to execute the following steps:

Step 1) Download and install the software on your system, the one on which you want to recover the deleted videos of your iPhone X.

Step 2) Connect your iPhone X to your system.

Note –  You can connect your iPhone X with multiple devices and the software will enlist all the connected devices. You can connect the iPhone X after or before the launch of the software.

Step 3) Next, launch the software that you installed.

Step 4) To recover deleted videos from your iPhone X, click on the ‘Recover from iPhone’ option that comes up on the screen.

Step 5) The Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone software will scan the iPhone X to list all the recently deleted data including videos.

Step 6) All deleted videos will be listed in red, while the rest will be listed in black color as shown in the image placed below.

Step 7) After that, select the videos you want to recover by putting check marks in the boxes in front of them.

Step 8) Provide the address of the location where you would want the recovered videos to be saved.

Step 9) Click Save button to finally save the videos. With this, the ‘Save Files’ dialog appears as shown below:

 (i) Chose the option ‘Save to Computer’ if you want to save the recovered videos to your computer. Click Browse and select a destination for saving the recovered files and click OK.

(ii) Choose the option ‘Save to iPhone’ if you want to save the recovered files to your iPhone X. From the drop-down menu, select the iPhone X to which you want to save the recovered videos.

Step 10) Finally, click on the OK tab to complete the recovery process of deleted videos from your iPhone X.

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