Before initiating the process, confirm that the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer. The drivers bundled with iTunes are essential for the Windows system to properly recognize the iPhone or iPad.
Download the Recuva installer from the developer's official website. This step ensures the package is free from bundled, unwanted software. After installation, run the program with administrator privileges to grant it full access to system resources.
Connection and Location Selection
Use an original USB cable to connect the mobile device to the computer. Faulty or damaged cables are a frequent source of connection errors. Unlock the device and tap "Trust This Computer" if prompted.
Within the Recuva wizard interface, specify the category of files to search for: pictures, documents, audio, or other formats. For a comprehensive analysis, selecting the All Files option is preferable.
The critical step is choosing the drive to scan. Recuva cannot directly mount the internal iOS storage as a drive letter. Instead, the software attempts to find traces of deleted files within caches or iTunes backup files. Select the In a specific location option and specify the drive letter assigned to your connected device within the system.
Analysis and Scanning Process Specifics
Enable the Deep Scan function before starting the search. This mode extends the operation's duration but performs a more thorough analysis of available data sectors, which is vital for damaged storage.
Be aware that successful recovery is heavily dependent on the iPhone model and iOS version. Newer operating system versions employ strong encryption that can block direct raw data access via USB. In such scenarios, Recuva might not find any files or may only display items stored in application caches.
Result Selection and Saving
Upon scan completion, the interface will display a list of found objects. The color of the circle next to a filename indicates its restoration potential:
- Green: High probability of recovery.
- Yellow: Medium probability; the file may be partially overwritten.
- Red: Low probability; the data is significantly damaged.
Select the desired files and click Recover. Avoid saving restored data to the same disk partition where the scan was performed. This prevents overwriting any other files that might still be recoverable. Always choose an external hard drive or a different logical volume for saving the recovered data.
Alternative Methods and Conclusion
User discussions in technical forums frequently highlight that direct recovery from iOS via PC utilities often yields limited results. A more reliable strategy involves creating a backup in iTunes or Finder first, then scanning this specific backup file with Recuva or specialized tools like iBackup Extractor.
For critically lost data, consider professional recovery services. These services utilize hardware-level methods to extract information directly from memory chips, bypassing iOS software restrictions entirely.
The process requires patience, and a successful outcome is never guaranteed. Maintaining regular backups via iCloud or a computer remains the most dependable method for safeguarding personal information against accidental deletion.