How to Restore iPhone without Backup

Summary: Have you lost your iPhone data after an iOS upgrade or accidental deletion, etc.? Learn how iPhone data recovery software helps restore your iPhone without backup.

Digital devices are at a constant risk of inadvertent data loss, this data might be critical and iPhones are no exception. As a result, understanding different approaches you can take to bounce back from iPhone data loss is crucial when there’s no recent backup.

Data loss in iPhone occurs when you accidentally delete some important data, or your device is lost or stolen or physically damaged resulting in an inability to access or use your data. The best way to prevent it is to take routine backups of your iPhone data using iCloud or iTunes.

However, many users fail to maintain regular iPhone backups and lose crucial data when dealing with a fatal error. In such cases, you can utilize the multiple practices mentioned in this guideline to restore all your iPhone data without backup and save the day.

What Causes Data Loss on iPhones?

In the world of smartphones, there are many ways to lose data. Sometimes, it happens by accident; other times, it emerges as a result of malicious activity. Some of the most common causes of data loss on iPhones include:

• Human Error: Sometimes, data loss occurs when someone accidentally deletes important data. Either they were not paying attention or were distracted by something else that lead accidental data loss.
• Malware Activity: Malware is a program designed to harm your phone or information. Although iOS is relatively immune to cyber-attacks, it’s still advised to stay away from suspicious websites and emails to keep your iPhone and its data safe.
• Software Corruption: Software corruption occurs when a program, including an OS, fails to run properly due to internal errors like virus or malware attack, failed software updates, etc.

Although there are many other causes for data loss in iPhones, the top three mentioned above are the most common.

Can iPhone Data be Restored without Backup?

It may be possible to restore iPhone data without backup, but its success depends on certain factors. Deleting the iPhone data or factory resetting the iPhone doesn’t mean that your data is completely removed from the device. That data is still there on your device but has been moved to an unallocated folder.

To restore this deleted or lost iPhone data, immediately stop using your device to avoid overwriting. Then there is a possibility that you may be able to retrieve your iPhone data.

How Can I Restore iPhone without Backup?

The only way to restore lost data on your iPhone without a backup is by utilizing third-party recovery software. Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone is an award-winning recovery software that can restore deleted or lost files from your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. It offers many amazing features to help you get back your photos, videos, audio files, documents, and other essential data in no time.

This software is powerful and easy-to-use when retrieving lost data, and you can operate it even if you have no technical background. Follow the steps below to discover how to utilize Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone and restore your lost data.

• Connect your iOS-operated device to a computer
• Download and install Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your computer.
• Click on the Start menu, type Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone, and press Enter.
• As the software launches, enter the Activation Key you received with your purchase.
• Then select the type of data you wish to recover and click Next.

• Wait for the scanning process to finish.

• Browse the recovered files and press Recover to save them on a storage device.

• After following the instructions, the lost files are accessible on the storage device you selected.

How Do I Prevent Data Loss on iPhones?

An iPhone backup is the best way to prevent data loss; it’s a copy of your data on a storage media or any Cloud server other than your iPhone.

There are several ways to create a backup of your iPhone; the safest choices are iTunes and iCloud. Follow the instructions below to create a backup immediately.

Back up iPhone using iTunes

Follow these steps to utilize iTunes:

• Download and install iTunes on your computer.
• Connect your device to the computer.
• Once you’re in the Device Summary page, click on Back Up Now.
• Wait for the process to finish.

Back up iPhone using iCloud

Follow these steps to utilize iCloud:

• Unlock your phone and open Settings.
• Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
• Select iCloud on the following page.
• Turn on iCloud Backup.
• Tap Back Up Now.
• Wait for the process to finish.

You can use this iCloud backup to restore iPhone data when needed. To know more, read: How to Restore iPhone from iCloud backup .

Bottom Line

Data loss in iPhone can occur due to various reasons including accidental deletion, software malfunction, etc.

The best way to prevent such scenarios is by taking regular backups of your iPhone. So, in an emergency, you can restore all your data from the backups you created earlier.

If you need help keeping healthy backups or utilizing recovery software to restore your information, seek a professional assistant to provide more instructions.

FAQ

1. Is Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone free?

You can download a free demo of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone and test all the features. However, you must activate the product if you wish to recover files.

2. What version of iOS does Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone support?

The software supports the latest iOS and all the previous versions.

3. Does Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone require iTunes to be installed?

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone utilizes iTunes system drivers to identify your devices.

4. How to recover deleted photos, videos & music files from your iPhone?

Users may lose their photos/videos/ music files due to accidental file deletion, system resets, failed updates, etc. However, by using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone, you can recover lost media from Camera Roll, Photo Stream, WhatsApp, Kik, Viber, Tango, and other apps.

5. How to recover deleted voice memos from your iPhone?

You can restore deleted voice memos from the Recently Deleted folder, iCloud or iTunes backup, and iPhone data recovery software.

6. How to recover deleted contacts from your iPhone?

Losing contacts is frustrating, leaving users in agony to re-enter the lost information manually. However, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone offers professional scans to retrieve lost or missing contacts and save them in CF, CSV, or HTML formats.

7. How to Retrieve Call History on iPhone?

Call logs may become inaccessible because of an app crash, iOS update, hardware damage, etc. Use backup or Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to restore the lost or deleted iPhone call history .

8. How to retrieve deleted text messages on your iPhone?

Messages may contain valuable information, and losing them can cause immense stress. Use the best iPhone data recovery tool like Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to recover lost text messages and iMessages from your iPhone or iPad.

9. How to recover deleted notes from your iPhone?

If you lose access to your notes for some reason, you can use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to run deep scans and retrieve deleted Notes and attachments .

10. How to restore iPhone from iTunes backup?

Although you can restore an iTunes backup from your computer, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone also lets you retrieve only the preferred files from your iTunes files.

Top iPhone Message Recovery Software

iPhone is a valuable digital device, and so are the messages you store in it. Nonetheless, many users may accidentally delete them at once while deleting some unnecessary apps or data from their iPhones. If you are a victim of such an incident and looking for quick options to recover iPhone messages, this article is your ultimate saviour.

Do iPhone recovery programs work?

Yes! iPhone’s built-in recovery options can restore temporarily deleted or lost messages hidden in the operating system. Moreover, many iPhone-friendly tools and applications guarantee retrieval of lost messages without using backup options. Simply download and install the tool and play along to scan your iOS device.

What is the best message recovery software?

With a wide range of data recovery software available online, finding an ideal solution to recover lost messages would be challenging. Here’s some criteria for selecting the right tool:

• The software or tool can recover deleted messages even without backup.
• It can recover deleted messages on iPhone from iCloud or iTunes without affecting the existing data.
• The tool is virus-free, reliable, and safe to use.
• It is compatible with all iOS models, including iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, or XS.
• It can recover various iOS files like messages, photos, videos, contacts, WhatsApp, or FaceTime messages.
• The tool must offer professional technical support to address your queries while using the software.

Pro Tip: Stop using your iPhone as soon as you realize that a significant amount of data, including files, messages, photos, etc., are lost. Any operation on the device may overwrite the hidden or lost data, making it irretrievable.

Best 5 iPhone Message Recovery Software to Try

1. Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone

One of the most esteemed iPhone data recovery tools, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone , is known for its incredibly intuitive GUI. It meets all the above-mentioned criteria that make it proficient at salvaging your lost iPhone messages, WhatsApp chats, FaceTime data, etc. Further, the tool can transfer your important messages from iPhone to personal computer, laptop, or Mac.

Besides data recovery from iPhone, iCloud, and iTunes, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone gives you the option to selectively browse, preview, and recover data after scan. Moreover, it allows you to permanently erase unwanted data from your iPhone beyond recovery. All such advanced features make it a prestigious iPhone recovery message option. Read this KB to recover deleted data from iPhone via Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone - Advantages

• The tool can recover unlimited file formats on storage media, be it Safari bookmarks, notes, voice memos, and WhatsApp chat history, or general messages.

• You can preview all the data recovered from your iPhone for free.

• It is proficient at recovering deleted data from an encrypted backup.

• The tool is easy-to-use and does deep scanning of an iPhone.

• It can also perform recovery of lost data from iTunes and iCloud backup.

• Disadvantages You cannot save the recovered messages or files without purchasing the software.

2. Dr. Fone for iOS

Dr. Fone for iOS is another famous iPhone message recovery application. It’s a professional tool that guides you on retrieving deleted messages on your iPhone while enabling recovery of diverse iOS files, including contacts, photos, voicemails, and SMS. The app has a preview function to help you view the deleted messages before recovery.

Dr. Fone for iOS - Advantages

• Swiftly recovers data from iTunes, iCloud, and iPhone
• Compatible with all iPhone models.

Disadvantages

• You can’t access advanced data recovery functionalities without using the upgraded version.
• The application is costly to upgrade.

3. EaseUS MobiSaver

EaseUS MobiSaver is an iPhone SMS recovery software that can scan your iOS device, iCloud backup, and iTunes backup to trace the lost message files. It not only recovers lost messages but also helps you retrieve data from your iPhone if your device turns inaccessible. The free version has certain limitations which can be overcome using the paid version.

EaseUS MobiSaver – Advantages

• It is an absolutely free data recovery solution.
• It can recover messages from a water-damaged, broken, lost, or cracked iPhone.
• The app displays all the deleted files.

Disadvantages

• Its data recovery success rate is low compared with other professional software.
• Being a free tool, it can recover only a limited set of data files.

4. Syncios Data Recovery

This tool claims to bring back all deleted or lost data from iPhone, including audio files, SMS, documents, video files, and contacts. Syncios Data Recovery works for all iPhones, iPads, or even iPods. It is recommended to download the free trial version and see if your deleted messages can be recovered or not.

Syncios Data Recovery - Advantages

• The tool is compatible with all versions of the iPhone.
• You can reach out to their quality customer service via email or phone.
• The brand offers free technical support for a lifetime.

Disadvantages

• It takes a long time to retrieve deleted text messages from iPhone or lost data.

5. iMyFone D-Back

This tool enables you to recover the data in all iOS devices whose data have been lost or deleted accidentally. Renowned as iPhone text recovery app, iMyFone D-Back claims to recover all the lost SMS, WhatsApp texts, contacts, notes, call history, and photos. Further, the tool can easily and swiftly bring back iCloud, iTunes, and even iOS backup files. Its smooth preview function enables you to check and recover selective items only.

iMyFone D-Back - Advantages

• It can recover about 20+ varieties of files.
• The tool is free from viruses and malware.
• Besides iPhone, it is also compatible with almost all iPad versions.

Disadvantages

• Data recovery from iCloud remains a challenge.
• It cannot recover all kinds of lost data files.

The Bottom Line

iPhone data recovery tools are available in bulk. All are significantly different from each other in terms of functionality and proficiency. We cherry-picked some reputed tools for you to ease the pain of losing crucial messages from iPhone. There is no one-size-fits-all tool in the iPhone data recovery category. Therefore, we suggest you pick a reliable software, which is trusted and recommended by industry veterans, easy-to-use, and performs multiple functions at a reasonable cost. This article will give you a clear picture of which tool is the most suitable to overcome your iPhone messages recovery needs.

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.

How to Restore iPhone from Backup when iTunes Backup is Corrupt or not compatible

Summary: Are you receiving the error, ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or not compatible’ while trying to restore iPhone? iPhone recovery is not possible from a corrupt backup file. This post shares how you can resolve corrupt iTunes backup file issue and restore iPhone’s lost data.

‘I dropped my iPhone and broke it. I got it repaired and formatted to factory settings to fix the various issues caused due to the fall. Since I had a backup in iTunes, so was not worried about my data. But had least idea that my iTunes backup file was corrupted! As I tried to restore iPhone from iTunes, a message appeared –: ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible.’ Now I don’t know how to restore my iPhone. Please help.’ –  Simon, UK

It’s not new when users get bowled over by iTunes when trying to restore their iPhone. iTunes sometimes shows a message that it could not restore iPhone because the backup was corrupt or not compatible with the iPhone that was being restored.

It may be because iTunes does incremental backup by updating the previous backup. It’s possible that some old backup data was corrupt, which results in the error message.

Whatsoever, it’s a fact that there’s no recovery possible from a corrupt backup file.

So how to fix such corrupt iPhone backup in iTunes and restore iPhone in such cases?

Here we share the best ways to fix corrupt iTunes backup file and efficient methods to restore iPhone’s lost data.

You can apply these methods 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 with latest iOS 16.x.

What you can do to fix ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible’

Since you can’t repair or recover from a corrupt or incompatible iTunes backup file, it is best to delete such corrupt files and next try to create a new backup in iTunes.

How to delete your corrupt iPhone backup file in iTunes

1. Launch iTunes on your PC or Mac
2. Windows users click Edit > Preferences (on Windows PC). Mac users click iTunes Menu > Preferences
3. Select Find your iPhone backups
4. Select the corrupt or incompatible backup. Click Delete Backup
5. Close the iTunes Preferences window

How to delete the old iTunes backup files manually

If you don’t see the old backup in iTunes, then delete the backup manually.

1. In iTunes, under Summary click on Serial Number. You will see the iPhone’s UDID. Note it down.
2. Navigate to the iTunes backups folder on your computer.

On Mac follow: Finder > Option> Go menu> Library> Application Support >MobileSync> Backup

On Windows 11/10/8 follow: In Search box type %appdata%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. Press Enter key

If you installed iTunes from the Microsoft Store, follow: In Search box type %userprofile%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup. Press Enter key.

3. You will see the backup folders named by your device UDID
4. Select the folders with your device UDID and delete them
5. Next go to iTunes and take the backup again

How to backup iPhone in iTunes again

1. Connect your iPhone to computer via lightning cable
2. Launch iTunes
3. Click on Back Up Now The backup process begins.

| Did you get a message — iTunes can’t back up your iPhone because an error occurred? Here’s what you should do…
• Update your iOS to the latest version
• Update your iTunes to the latest version
• Disable antivirus software on your computer
• Now create backup in iTunes

|
| — |

How to restore iPhone when iTunes backup file is corrupt

Method 1: Restore iPhone from iCloud backup

Method 2: Recover from iCloud backup without erasing existing data

Method 3: Restore lost data directly from iPhone/ iPad

Method 1: Recover from iCloud backup

Instead of iTunes, you can restore iPhone by using the alternative backup solution, iCloud.

Steps to restore iPhone with iCloud

• 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 screen
• Tap Restore from iCloud Backup

• Sign in to your iCloud account
• Choose the recent backup and click Restore

Method 2: Recover specific files from iCloud without losing existing iPhone data

In case you want to restore specific data from backup, instead of complete backup, use an iPhone recovery software.

Steps to restore specific files from iCloud:

• Download and launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your computer.

• Select Recover from iCloud Backup on main screen of software.

• Select what you want to recover. Click Next
• Enter the Apple ID and password
• Select the relevant iCloud backup and click Scan

• Select the data in the iCloud backup files list on left and preview

• Click Save
• In the dialog box select computer or iPhone to save the recovered data. To save directly onto your iPhone, connect your iPhone to the computer.

Method 3: Recover data from iPhone

If iTunes could not restore iPhone or iPad because the backup was corrupt and neither iCloud is able to restore backup, recover data from the device directly. You can easily restore lost photos, videos, messages, calendar, voice memos, Safari bookmarks, etc., with this method. It works in cases of broken/ water-damaged iPhone, factory reset, iOS crash etc.

Steps to recover lost data from iPhone/ iPad

• Connect your iPhone to computer
• Launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
• On the home screen select Recover from iPhone

• Select the data you want to restore
• Click Next

• Preview the data and click Save. You can save the recovered data on computer or iPhone

Conclusion

You cannot repair or recover data from corrupt iTunes backup file that gives — ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible’ message.

However, the situation can be tackled by deleting the corrupt backup file and creating a fresh new backup in iTunes.

To restore iPhone, you may use either the new iTunes backup or bypass iTunes by using alternative recovery methods. Other than iTunes, iCloud or Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone are the effective ways to restore lost data on your iPhone. Among these too, if you wish to restore specific data like photos, videos, voice memos, or contacts etc., Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone would be the best solution.