Recover Deleted Videos from iPhone: A Comprehensive Guide

Losing precious videos from your iPhone can be a heart-stopping experience. Whether it’s a cherished family moment, a hilarious clip with friends, or an important presentation, the sudden disappearance of video files can be incredibly frustrating. Thankfully, all is not lost. Apple provides some built-in features and there are also third-party options that can help you recover deleted videos from your iPhone. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods, offering detailed steps and instructions to help you retrieve your lost memories.

Understanding How Deletion Works on iPhone

Before we dive into recovery methods, it’s important to understand how the deletion process works on an iPhone. When you delete a video (or any file, for that matter) from your iPhone, it’s not immediately erased from the device’s storage. Instead, the system marks that file as ‘available for overwriting’. This means the space occupied by the deleted video can be used by new data. Until new data overwrites the space, the deleted video file is still physically present on your phone, giving you a window of opportunity to recover it. This is why it’s crucial to act quickly when you realize you’ve accidentally deleted a video.

Method 1: Recovering Videos from the ‘Recently Deleted’ Album

The easiest and most likely way to recover deleted videos is by checking the ‘Recently Deleted’ album. This is a built-in feature that keeps your deleted photos and videos for 30 days before permanently removing them. Here’s how to access it:

1. Open the Photos app: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the ‘Albums’ tab: At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see several tabs, including ‘Library’, ‘For You’, and ‘Albums’. Tap on ‘Albums’.
3. Scroll down and find ‘Recently Deleted’: Look for the ‘Recently Deleted’ album under the ‘Utilities’ section. Tap on it.
4. Browse and select your video(s): You’ll see a list of all photos and videos deleted in the past 30 days. Scroll through the list to find the video(s) you want to recover.
5. Recover your video(s): Tap on the video you wish to restore. Then, tap on the ‘Recover’ button at the bottom of the screen. You can select multiple videos by tapping ‘Select’ in the upper right corner, selecting the videos, and then tapping ‘Recover’.
6. Confirm Recovery: A prompt will ask if you want to recover the selected video(s). Tap ‘Recover Video’ (or ‘Recover [Number] Videos’). The restored video(s) will then be moved back to your main library.

Important Notes:

• If you don’t see the video in the ‘Recently Deleted’ album, it means either it has been longer than 30 days since it was deleted, or the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder has been emptied manually.
• Once a video is permanently deleted from the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder or after 30 days, the built-in feature cannot retrieve it, and you will need to explore other recovery methods.

Method 2: Recovering Videos from iCloud Backup

If your video is no longer in the ‘Recently Deleted’ album, your next hope is to recover it from an iCloud backup. iCloud automatically backs up your iPhone when it’s connected to Wi-Fi and power, provided that you have enabled iCloud backup. This method can be a bit more involved as it involves restoring your entire phone from a backup, but it’s an effective method for recovering lost data. Here’s how:

Before you Begin:

• Check your iCloud backup status: Make sure you have an existing iCloud backup that predates the deletion of your video. To check, go to ‘Settings’ > Your Name > ‘iCloud’ > ‘iCloud Backup’. You will see the date and time of your last backup. If the last backup time is after you deleted your video, then your video isn’t included in that backup. If you backup frequently, there could be an older backup that contains your video.
• Connect to Wi-Fi and Power: Make sure your iPhone is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network and plugged into a power source to prevent interruption during the restore process.
• Backup Your Current Data: Before restoring from an older backup, it’s very important to back up your current iPhone data using iCloud or your computer. If you restore an older backup, you will lose data and information from the time that backup was created until the current date. Create a new backup right before restoring from an older backup so you can restore from your most recent backup later.

Restoring from an iCloud Backup:

1. Erase your iPhone: You need to erase your iPhone to restore from an iCloud backup. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ > ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’ > ‘Erase All Content and Settings’.
2. Follow Setup Assistant: After your iPhone restarts, it will show the ‘Hello’ screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the setup process.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi: When prompted, connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.
4. Choose ‘Restore from iCloud Backup’: During the ‘Apps & Data’ screen, you’ll be given a few options. Choose ‘Restore from iCloud Backup’.
5. Sign in to your iCloud account: Enter your Apple ID and password to sign into your iCloud account.
6. Select a Backup: Choose the iCloud backup that was created before you deleted your video. You should see a list of backups with their date and size. Select the relevant backup.
7. Wait for the restoration process to complete: The restore process will start and it may take some time depending on the size of your backup and your Wi-Fi speed. Ensure your device stays connected to Wi-Fi and power throughout the process.
8. Verify the restored video: Once the restore is complete, go to your ‘Photos’ app and check if your deleted video is present.

Important Notes:

• Restoring from an iCloud backup will overwrite all data on your iPhone with the data from the backup you selected. Therefore, make sure to back up your current data before proceeding to prevent losing any data created since the selected iCloud backup date.
• If the backup doesn’t contain the lost video, you’ll need to explore other methods.
• After restoring, you can then restore from the recent backup you made before you started this process, to ensure you haven’t lost any data.

Method 3: Recovering Videos Using a Third-Party Data Recovery Software

If the built-in features and iCloud backups fail to recover your deleted videos, there are third-party data recovery software programs specifically designed to retrieve lost data from iPhones. These tools work by scanning your iPhone’s internal memory for deleted data, and can sometimes recover files even after they are deleted from the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder and not available in backups. Here’s a general overview of how they work:

Choosing a Third-Party Recovery Software:

• Research and Reviews: Not all data recovery software is created equal. Look for reputable programs with positive user reviews. Be wary of free programs, as they may have limitations or carry malware.
• Compatibility: Ensure the software is compatible with your iPhone model and iOS version.
• Price and Trial Versions: Most recovery software comes at a cost. Many will offer a free trial version that allows you to scan your device, but you’ll typically need to purchase a license to recover files.
• Key Features: Look for features such as previewing files before recovery and the ability to recover various file types, including videos.

General Steps for Using Data Recovery Software:

While each software may have its interface and specific process, the general steps are usually similar.

1. Download and Install: Download the software from the official website and install it on your computer (Mac or Windows).
2. Connect your iPhone: Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Allow your computer to access the device as requested, usually through a notification on your iPhone screen.
3. Launch the Software: Run the data recovery software.
4. Select your iPhone: The software should detect your iPhone as an external device. Select your iPhone from the list.
5. Scan your iPhone: Initiate a scan to look for deleted files. Some software will offer a ‘Quick Scan’ or ‘Deep Scan’. A deep scan will take longer but will be more thorough.
6. Preview Deleted Videos: Once the scan is complete, the software will display the found deleted files, including videos. Preview the files and select the ones you want to recover.
7. Recover Your Videos: Select a location on your computer to save the recovered videos. Then, start the recovery process.

Popular Data Recovery Software Options:

• EaseUS MobiSaver: A well-regarded option with a user-friendly interface.
• Dr.Fone by Wondershare: Offers a suite of tools, including data recovery for iOS devices.
• PhoneRescue by iMobie: Known for its ability to recover different types of data from iOS devices.
• Tenorshare UltData: Another reputable option with a good track record.

Important Notes:

• The success rate of data recovery software can vary. This depends on the degree to which the deleted data has been overwritten.
• Using these software tools requires a computer, and the software itself typically comes at a cost.
• Be sure to only download software from the official websites to avoid malware.

Method 4: Recovering Videos from iTunes Backup (for older backups)

If you’ve previously backed up your iPhone using iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later), you can attempt to restore from an iTunes backup. This is similar to iCloud backups but stored locally on your computer. Note that iTunes backups have been replaced by Finder backups for macOS Catalina or later. If you are on macOS Mojave or older, you will still see iTunes backups.

Before you Begin:

• Check your iTunes (or Finder) backups: Ensure you have a backup that pre-dates the deletion of your video. Open iTunes (or Finder) and go to ‘Preferences’ > ‘Devices’ (or ‘Manage Backups’ in Finder). You’ll see a list of backups, including the dates they were created.
• Connect to your computer: Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
• Backup Your Current Data: Similar to iCloud backups, backup your iPhone before restoring an older backup from your computer to avoid data loss.

Restoring from an iTunes (or Finder) Backup:

1. Launch iTunes (or Finder): Open iTunes on Windows or macOS Mojave and older. For macOS Catalina or later, open Finder.
2. Select your iPhone: Select your iPhone when it appears in the iTunes or Finder interface.
3. Choose ‘Restore Backup’: Click on ‘Restore Backup’ in the ‘Summary’ tab of iTunes or the ‘General’ tab in Finder.
4. Choose the correct backup: A list of available backups will appear. Select the backup created before you deleted the video. You can see the dates of the backups in the list.
5. Click ‘Restore’: Click the ‘Restore’ button.
6. Wait for the restoration process to complete: The restore process will start, and your iPhone will restart. Keep your device connected to your computer until the restore process is complete.
7. Verify the restored video: After the restore is complete, go to your ‘Photos’ app and check if your deleted video is present.

Important Notes:

• Restoring from an iTunes backup will overwrite all data on your iPhone with the data from the backup you selected. Therefore, make sure to back up your current data before proceeding.
• If the backup doesn’t contain the lost video, you’ll need to explore other methods.
• After restoring, you can then restore from the recent backup you made before you started this process, to ensure you haven’t lost any data.

Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss

While data recovery is possible, it’s always best to prevent data loss in the first place. Here are a few tips to keep your videos safe:

• Enable iCloud Backup: Make sure iCloud backup is enabled and your iPhone backs up regularly. Go to ‘Settings’ > Your Name > ‘iCloud’ > ‘iCloud Backup’. You can also enable automatic backup to your computer using Finder.
• Be Careful When Deleting: Be very careful and confirm before deleting any videos or photos.
• Regularly Transfer Videos to Computer: Periodically transfer your videos from your iPhone to your computer or an external storage device. This will not only create a backup but also free up space on your iPhone.
• Use Cloud Storage Services: Consider using cloud storage services like Google Photos or Dropbox to automatically backup your photos and videos to the cloud.
• Check the ‘Recently Deleted’ Folder: Get into the habit of checking the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder before deleting any files on your phone.

Conclusion

Losing important videos on your iPhone can be distressing, but with the right knowledge and steps, you have a good chance of recovering them. Starting with the ‘Recently Deleted’ album is the quickest and easiest method. If that doesn’t work, using iCloud or iTunes backups may be the way to go. Finally, if all else fails, reputable third-party data recovery software might save the day. Remember, acting quickly increases your chances of successful data recovery. By understanding how deletion works on your iPhone and implementing the above tips and techniques, you can better protect your precious video memories from being lost forever.

Always ensure you backup your iPhone regularly to avoid such situations. In addition, if you have a third-party software installed that automatically backs up your photos and videos, such as Google Photos, this can be another resource for you to recover your videos. If you have any questions, be sure to leave a comment below!