Accidentally deleted some important videos from my iPhone while organizing my gallery. They’re really important to me. What steps can I take to attempt recovering them? Are there any trusted methods or tools?
Been there, done that. It’s a heart-stopping moment when you realize you’ve nuked those precious videos from your iPhone. Here are a few strategies to possibly bring those gems back:
First Place to Check: ‘Recently Deleted’ Folder
iPhones are pretty smart with their safety nets. When you delete videos, they go to the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder and hang out there for 30 days. Just go to:
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap on ‘Albums’.
- Scroll down to find ‘Recently Deleted’.
- If your videos are in there, select them and hit ‘Recover’.
Super straightforward but easy to overlook in a panic.
iCloud Backup
If you’re regularly backing up your iPhone to iCloud, there’s a good chance your videos might be hanging out there too. Here’s how to restore from an iCloud backup:
- Check your last iCloud backup time to ensure it includes the videos.
- Go to ‘Settings’.
- Tap on your name → ‘iCloud’ → ‘Manage Storage’ → ‘Backups’.
- Choose your device.
To restore:
- Go to ‘Settings’ → ‘General’ → ‘Reset’ → ‘Erase All Content and Settings’.
- Follow the setup steps until you reach the ‘Apps & Data’ screen.
- Choose ‘Restore from iCloud Backup’.
- Sign in to iCloud.
- Select the appropriate backup.
Heads up: This will delete everything else on your phone, so make sure everything’s backed up.
iTunes/Finder Backup
If you’ve got a backup on your computer (iTunes or Finder, depending on your macOS version), restore from there:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes or Finder.
- Click on your device icon.
- Choose ‘Restore Backup…’.
Just like with iCloud, make sure your most recent backup includes those videos.
Disk Drill for iPhone
Alright, if the above failed or you aren’t into erasing your phone, enter Disk Drill. It’s one of those tools geared towards data recovery and it’s pretty reliable according to user feedback.
Pros of Disk Drill:
- User-friendly Interface: Intuitive design that’s easy to navigate.
- Deep Scan: Capable of finding files that other software might miss.
- Versatility: Recovers not just from iPhones but other devices too.
Cons of Disk Drill:
- Cost: Free version is limited. You might need to shell out some bucks for the full version.
- Time-intensive: Deep scans can take quite a while, especially if you have a lotta data.
To use Disk Drill, follow these steps:
- Download and install Disk Drill on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone.
- Launch the app and select your device from the list.
- Click ‘Search for lost data’.
- Scan your device.
- Review the found files and recover the ones you need.
Competitors include Dr.Fone, iMobie PhoneRescue, and Tenorshare UltData, but Disk Drill often edges out in user experience and recovery rate.
Final Thoughts
If the videos are super critical, and these methods fail, consider professional data recovery services, though those can be pricy and aren’t guaranteed.
Hope this helps, and fingers crossed you get your vids back!
Another Angle on iPhone Video Recovery
It’s definitely a gut-wrenching moment when you realize you’ve accidentally deleted those precious videos from your iPhone. While @techchizkid’s methods are solid, let me throw a few more ideas your way. Sometimes more options mean better chances for recovery, right?
Check Your Other Apple Devices
First things first, check if you’ve shared these videos via AirDrop, iMessage, or any other methods. It’s not uncommon to find duplicates on other Apple devices like an iPad or Mac. Open your Photos app or iMessage on those devices to see if a stroke of luck might favor you.
Third-Party Cloud Services
Remember those spur-of-the-moment decisions to sync photos with Google Photos or Dropbox? Sometimes you forget you’ve even set it up. Check those cloud storage services you might have used. These platforms often have versions of deleted files stored, allowing for a quick recovery. Open your apps or log in via a web browser:
- Google Photos: Go to the ‘Trash’.
- Dropbox: Check the ‘Deleted files’ section.
Social Media Downloads
If you’ve uploaded videos to social media apps like Instagram or Facebook, you could potentially retrieve them from there. While platforms usually compress files, it’s better to have a compressed version than none at all. You can find these uploaded items under your profile or ‘Activity’ sections within the apps.
Data Recovery Services vs. DIY
Speaking of Disk Drill, @techchizkid has highlighted some great points. But before you invest in third-party software, weigh the cost-benefit. For high-stakes videos, you might even consider commercial data recovery services like DriveSavers. Yes, it’s expensive, but they boast high success rates.
Competing software, like Dr.Fone, iMobie PhoneRescue, and Tenorshare UltData, also offer DIY solutions, each with its pros and cons. For instance, Dr.Fone has a user-friendly interface but can sometimes miss deeply buried files.
Practical DIY Step
For those looking to try one more simple DIY method:
- Search Feature: iOS has a powerful built-in search. Sometimes, typing a keyword or date related to the video might unearth buried items.
Preparing for the Future
Since things like this can be a rude awakening, it might be worth investing some time in preventive measures. Regularly back up to both iCloud and an external hard drive via a computer. Redundancy ensures peace of mind.
Conclusion
Each recovery method has its merit, and sometimes a combined approach works best. Start simple and progressively move to more complex solutions. And hey, while Disk Drill (https://cleverfiles.com/lp/data-recovery-software.html) is highly recommended for its detection capabilities, make sure it’s the best fit for your needs before pulling the trigger.
Hope this helps, and may the data recovery gods be in your favor!
1 Like
Oh, I’ve been there before, and it’s definitely not fun losing those precious videos. While @byteguru and @techchizkid provided some solid strategies, let’s explore a couple of extra angles that might just save the day.
Automated Apps Sync
First off, let’s talk about automatic app synchronization. Sometimes, certain apps might sync your photos and videos without you even realizing it. For instance, if you’ve ever connected your iPhone to Google Photos, OneDrive, or Dropbox, you might find your deleted videos there. These apps typically move deleted items to their own ‘Trash’ or ‘Recently Deleted’ folders.
- Google Photos – Go to the ‘Trash’.
- OneDrive – Check the ‘Recycle Bin’.
- Dropbox – Look in the ‘Deleted files’ section.
This method is straightforward and can be a real lifesaver if you have a habit of using multiple cloud services.
Check Your Email
If you’ve ever shared these videos via email, check your sent items or drafts. You’d be surprised how effective a simple email search can be. Even if the videos were sent ages ago, they might still be sitting in your email’s storage.
Social Media Downloads
Your social media platforms can also come to the rescue. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or even WhatsApp, you might find that you’ve previously shared some of these videos. Downloading them back might not give you the same quality, but it’s better than losing them entirely.
- Facebook – Go to your profile and look through your media.
- Instagram – Check your posts or story archives.
- WhatsApp – Open the relevant chat and see if the videos are still available to download.
Professional Data Recovery
When all else fails, consider professional data recovery services. As both @byteguru and @techchizkid have touched on, third-party software like Disk Drill could indeed be your best friend here. It’s known for its reliability and intuitive interface which can help retrieve lost data.
Disk Drill (https://www.disk-drill.com/) – So far, it holds a strong rep for adeptly handling data recovery from iPhones, Macs, and other devices.
Why Disk Drill?
- Intuitive Design – An easy-to-use interface that even non-techies can navigate.
- Deep Scan Capabilities – Offers deep scan features that can bring back files other software might miss.
- Wide Compatibility – Works with multiple devices, not just iPhones.
Download Disk Drill, connect your iPhone, and follow the steps to start the scan and recover your files. Just remember, the free version might have limitations, but it’s worth giving it a shot before committing to a purchase.
Submission to Third-Party Services
If you’re dealing with extremely critical data, professional services like DriveSavers can be considered. They have a higher cost but boast better success rates. Just keep in mind that success is not guaranteed and could be quite costly.
Final Tips
While these suggestions are handy, they also serve as a gentle nudge to start backing up your files more regularly. iCloud, an external hard drive, and cross-platform cloud services can all serve as layers of protection against future mishaps.
Testing a new third-party program should be your last resort. Frequently, people rush into it without exploring simpler options, like checking if those videos might be stored elsewhere (sometimes we forget what services we’re using!).
I’m crossing my fingers for you. Best of luck in getting those precious videos back!