Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If you accidentally deleted something from your iPhone, first check the app’s Recently Deleted area and the recovery option for that specific type of iCloud data. If those routes do not have it, look for an iCloud or computer backup made before the deletion. Before restoring a whole-device backup, compare its date with the data currently on your phone: restoring to an already-set-up iPhone requires erasing it first.
Start with the least disruptive recovery option
Check the app that held the item
Open the app where the file or information was stored and look for a Recently Deleted folder or equivalent recovery area. What can be recovered, and for how long, depends on the app; there is no universal retention period established for every iPhone app.
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Use iCloud.com for supported iCloud files
For deleted iCloud Drive and other app files, Apple documents an iCloud.com recovery route with a 30-day recovery window. This applies to the supported iCloud file recovery path, not every deleted item or app on an iPhone. Apple Support says, “However, you can’t recover or restore files you permanently remove.” See Apple’s iCloud.com file recovery instructions.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRestore contacts, calendars, or bookmarks separately
Contacts, calendars, and bookmarks have separate recovery options on iCloud.com. Restoring contacts replaces the current contacts across your devices. Apple advises making a backup before restoring, since recent changes may be lost. Apple explains recovery for contacts, calendars, and bookmarks.
#1 Best Overall
- MFi Certified Multi-function Flash Drive: This flash drive is MFi certified, high quality and excellent performance, allowing you to store your data more securely without worrying about data loss. Made of high quality metal material and advanced chip technology, it has excellent dustproof, drop-proof and anti-magnetic performance. The flash drive has a 256GB capacity, easily free up space on your device
- 256GB 3-in-1 Lightweight and Compact Memory Stick: The flash drive has USB/Lightning/Type C interfaces for USB/Usb C pcie port card compatible with iOS devices with iOS12.1 and above / OTG Android phones / PC with Win7 and above / MAC devices with MAC10.6 and above, convenient for data transfer between different devices. It is also lightweight and compact, easy to carry around and keep your data at your fingertips. Accompanied by a uniquely designed keychain, the product is more convenient for you to carry
- One Click Backup and One Click Sharing: You can easily backup photos, videos, and phonebook to your phone with just one click via the APP, freeing up space on your mobile device without using a data cable or iCloud. You can also share photos/videos/files from the flash drive directly to social media (Facebook, etc.) for easy sharing with family and friends. (Tips: iOS devices need to download the "U-Disk" APP when using flash drive; Android and PC devices do not need to download APP)
- Automatic Storage and On-the-Go Playback: All photos and videos captured by the in-app camera are automatically saved to U-Disk albums in real time and stored in a folder for easy editing and searching. Store your favorite movies and music on the flash drive, you can enjoy the stored movies or music anytime and anywhere when you are traveling or on a business trip
- High Speed Transfer and Data Encryption: This flash drive has high read/write speed, so you can enjoy the convenience of fast backup and save time. The flash drive uses stable APP software, you can choose to turn on Touch ID/Passcode to encrypt the whole flash drive, or you can choose to encrypt specific files to protect your data, so you can enjoy a more convenient and secure file storage experience
Check backups before changing the iPhone
Look for an iCloud device backup or a computer backup dated before the deletion. A backup can help only if it is available and contains the information you need. Compare the backup dates and sizes before choosing one; a whole-device restore is not a preview of its contents.
Apple requires you to erase an already-set-up iPhone before restoring a backup. That means current data and settings on the phone may be replaced by the restored state. Read Apple’s backup restore instructions and consider what has changed on the iPhone since the backup was made before proceeding.
Rank #2
- Capacity Display Variance: 1TB external ssd often appears as around 931GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 1 TB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
- 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
- Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
- USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
- Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
Protect an older iCloud backup
Be cautious about setting up the iPhone as new and then deciding later to restore an older iCloud backup. Apple warns that new backups made after setting up as new can overwrite older saved backups. Check the backups available in your account and device settings before taking setup or backup steps that might affect the copy you need.
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Restore a computer backup only after checking its date
A computer backup may be an alternative if it predates the deletion. You need access to the computer and a USB cable compatible with both the iPhone and computer. If the backup is encrypted, you also need its password. The cable supports the connection for the restore; it does not recover deleted data on its own. Follow Apple’s instructions for restoring from a backup.
Rank #3
- Made For iPhone Certified. Compatible with iPhone 15 or newer (USB-C) and iPhone 14 or older models (Lightning)(2). When connected via USB-C, works with SANDISK Memory Zone app or Apple iOS Files app—automatic backup requires SANDISK app(3). Lightning connection requires the SANDISK app for copy and backup functions(3).
- SANDISK Memory Zone App Required. Download the app(3) from the App Store and update firmware if prompted to optimize your file management experience or jump to the iOS Files app from the home screen.
- Free Up Space. Seamlessly transfer files to your SanDisk Phone Drive, then easily delete them from your phone to reclaim valuable storage(3).
- Smarter Backups. Choose manual or automatic backup within the SANDISK Memory Zone app with real-time progress tracking, background multitasking, and partial backup support when storage is limited(3).
- Reliable Transfers. Move content between your USB-C or Lightning iPhone, iPad Pro, Mac, and other compatible devices(2).
After a restore, allow synced data to return
Not everything that appears on an iPhone is necessarily stored in its device backup. Some information syncs separately through iCloud. Apple notes that Messages and Voice Memos can upload automatically when their iCloud features are enabled; after restoring, keep the iPhone on Wi-Fi so that information can download. If data is still missing, Apple recommends checking computer backups. See Apple’s guidance for information missing after an iCloud Backup restore.
Choose the route that matches what you deleted
| Recovery route | Best suited to | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| App recovery or iCloud.com | A recently deleted item or supported iCloud data type | Availability depends on the app and data type; Apple’s iCloud file route does not restore permanently removed files. |
| iCloud device backup | A backup made before the deletion | Restoring to an already-set-up iPhone requires erasing it, so check the backup date and protect newer data first. |
| Computer backup | A computer backup made before the deletion | You need the computer and a compatible connection; encrypted backups require their password. |
| No available copy | The item is absent from app recovery, iCloud recovery, and available backups | Apple’s cited guidance does not establish a dependable recovery method for this situation. |
What if the data was permanently deleted?
Apple says files permanently removed from the iCloud.com file recovery path cannot be restored through that route. If the information is also missing from the relevant app’s recovery area and no usable backup or other synced copy contains it, the official guidance cited here does not establish a dependable way to get it back. Do not assume a whole-device restore or an undelete tool can recover data that has no available copy.
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