Part 1. What is iCloud Data Recovery?
iCloud Data Recovery is a technology that helps recover lost data directly from your iCloud data including iCloud Synced and iCloud backup data.
A reliable iCloud Data Recovery software should not depend on USB connections or backup files stored on the computer, but instead, it retrieves lost data directly by accessing the data stored, or previously stored, in iCloud.
iCloud Recovery: The Best Option for iPhone Data Recovery
While iCloud recovery is just one method for restoring iPhone data, it is currently the most effective, with the highest success rate and best compatibility.
This is mainly due to Apple's encryption policies, which block direct access to iPhone storage via USB. As a result, USB recovery can only retrieve existing data, making it useful only for phones with a damaged screen. Additionally, recovering data from local backups requires prior backup creation, which doesn't meet the needs of most users.
iCloud Recovery vs. Apple's Official Method
The most advanced iCloud recovery software can retrieve data that official Apple methods cannot.
While Apple's iCloud restore feature only recovers data from the latest backup, iCloud recovery tools can access older backup snapshots, making it truly possible to restore deleted data. These recovery tools extract lost files without requiring a device reset, unlike the official method, which often does.
Part 2. The Best iCloud Data Recovery Software at a Glance
Gbyte Recovery — Best overall for advanced, real iCloud data recovery
iMyFone D-Back — Best if you want a built-in free iOS device backup feature
Dr.Fone — Best all-in-one toolkit with multiple mobile utilities
PhoneRescue — Best for viewing basic iCloud synced data
UltData — Best for users who prefer a clean, simple interface
EaseUS MobiSaver — Best for step-by-step guidance during an iCloud backup restore
Part 3. How We Test iCloud Recovery Softwares?
We test several iCloud recovery tools to ensure we're recommending the best ones for recovering iCloud data. Here's how we do it:
Testing Criteria
To qualify as iCloud recovery software, the tool must include an iCloud recovery mode.
Key Testing Factors
🔍Recovery Method: We examine how each software retrieves data from iCloud. This includes testing the underlying recovery process and evaluating the software's ability to access and recover lost files.
📈Success Rate: We test whether it can find files that have been permanently deleted successfully. A higher success rate means the software is better at locating and restoring lost files.
💰Pricing: We compare the price of each software to its features and performance. We want to make sure the software offers good value for money.
🔒Security: Security is crucial, especially since you'll need to log in to your iCloud account when running an iCloud recovery process. It's important that the software protects your login credentials and any recovered data throughout the entire process.
🛠Features: We test which types of data the software can recover. Does it support different data types such as photos, contacts, messages, and app data?
💎User Experience: We check how easy each software is to use. Is the interface simple and easy to understand? How quickly can you get started? We focus on tools that are user-friendly, even for those who aren’t tech experts.
Part 4. Top 6 iCloud Data Recovery Solutions
#1 Gbyte Recovery
Gbyte Recovery is the strongest iCloud data recovery tool we tested. It was the only software on this list that could actually recover deleted data. Its digital-forensics-level technology and smart analysis engine help you locate removed files quickly and accurately.
Pros
- Full iCloud Data Recovery: Recovers data from both iCloud Backup and iCloud synced data.
- Advanced Technology: Accesses historical iCloud backup snapshots to find deleted data.
- Wide Data Support: Recovers 30+ data types, including Messages, Photos, WhatsApp, Instagram, and more.
- Free Preview: All recoverable files can be viewed for free before restoring.
- Mobile Version Available: If you're reading this on an iPhone, you can start a free scan within minutes.
- Total Disaster Recovery: Works even if your phone is erased, locked, lost, or stolen.
Cons
- Limited to iCloud Recovery Mode for now.
- Scanning may take longer when there’s a large amount of data.
How It Works
When your iCloud backup updates, it keeps the new data and removes the old data you deleted. Gbyte Recovery doesn’t just read the current version of iCloud backup. It also scans the backup's hidden change history, so it can spot the items that were removed during past updates.
In simple terms: even if a file is no longer in your current iCloud backup, Gbyte Recovery can still find the deleted version and show it to you.
Supported Apps
Apple Built-in Apps: Photos, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Safari, Reminders, Wi-Fi, FaceTime, Voice Mail
Third-Party Apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, Kik, Line, Snapchat, Instagram, Telegram, Skype, Wechat, Teams
Recovery Success Rate: 98.6%
Pricing
$49.99 per month
$8.33 per month on annual plan
$149.99 lifetime plan
#2 iMyFone D-Back
iMyFone D-Back is one of the well-known iCloud recovery tools on the market. It supports both iCloud backup extraction and iCloud account data recovery, making it a flexible option for users who want quick access to their cloud data.
Pros
- Full iCloud Data Access: Restores data from both iCloud backups and iCloud synced data.
- Built-In Backup Tool: Lets you create a fresh iOS backup directly inside the software.
- No Reset Required: Allows you to view and extract data from an iCloud backup without erasing your device.
Cons
- Paid Preview: You must pay before viewing the contents of your iCloud backup.
- Multiple Logins Required: Needs two separate iCloud logins for backup data and synced data.
How It Works
iCloud Backup Mode: Downloads and reads the iCloud backup file, then displays its contents.
iCloud Account Mode: Reads synced iCloud data such as Contacts, Notes, Reminders, and other items visible on iCloud.com.
Supported Apps
Apple Built-in Apps: Photos, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Safari, Reminders
Third-Party Apps: WhatsApp, Line
Recovery Success Rate: 75%
Pricing
$49.99 per month
$5.83 per month on annual plan
$79.99 lifetime plan
#3 Dr.Fone
Dr.Fone is the most recognizable name in the data recovery space. It offers a huge collection of tools in a single package, covering everything from system repair to phone transfer. However, when it comes to iCloud data recovery, its capabilities are fairly limited. Instead of extracting deleted data or reading deep iCloud backup files, it only accesses the synced data currently visible on iCloud.com. This makes it useful for basic data access, but not for real recovery.
Pros
- Well-known brand with a long history in mobile utilities.
- All-in-one toolkit that includes many features in a single installation.
- Fast scanning for synced iCloud data.
Cons
- Heavy software that significantly slows down computers during use.
- Very low recovery success rate for iCloud; only supports about 5 data types.
- Cannot recover deleted data, only existing synced items.
How It Works
Dr.Fone’s iCloud recovery mode reads only the synced data stored in your iCloud account. This is the same data you can already view on iCloud.com. It does not analyze iCloud backup files, nor can it access historical or deleted content, so the recovery scope is extremely limited.
Supported Apps
Apple Built-in Apps: Photos, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Safari, Reminders
Third-Party Apps: None
Recovery Success Rate: 30%
Pricing
$79.95 per month
$8.33 per month on annual plan
$115.95 lifetime plan
#4 iMobie PhoneRescue
PhoneRescue is a lightweight tool with a clean interface and a few helpful export options. It's fast and easy to use, but when it comes to iCloud data recovery, its abilities are very limited.
Pros
- Lets you choose export formats such as .txt, .html, and more.
- Fast scanning speed.
- Uses the official iCloud login page, which adds an extra layer of security.
- Budget-friendly option.
Cons
- Cannot access iCloud backup contents; only retrieves data that is already visible on iCloud.com.
- Low recovery success rate, with support for only 5 data types.
- Not suitable for recovering deleted files.
How It Works
PhoneRescue reads your synced iCloud account data only. This is the same information already available on iCloud.com, without access to historical versions or deleted items.
Supported Apps
Apple Built-in Apps: Photos, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Safari
Third-Party Apps: None
Recovery Success Rate: 30%
Pricing
$45.99 3-month plan
$49.99 per year
$69.99 lifetime plan
#5 UltData
UltData is simple, clean, and easy to operate, which makes it a comfortable choice for beginners. But when it comes to iCloud data recovery, its abilities stay on the basic side. It only reads the synced data currently available on iCloud.com, so it cannot recover deleted files or dig into older iCloud backup content.
Pros
- Clean, user-friendly interface.
- Very easy to use.
Cons
- Low success rate; supports only 5 iCloud data types.
- Does not access iCloud backup files.
How It Works
UltData reads the synced data from your iCloud account, identical to what you can already see on iCloud.com. It does not scan backup snapshots or retrieve deleted items.
Supported Apps
Apple Built-in Apps: Photos, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Safari
Third-Party Apps: None
Recovery Success Rate: 30%
Pricing
$45.95 per month
$49.95 per year
$69.95 lifetime plan
#6 EaseUs MobiSaver
EaseUS MobiSaver offers one of the clearest, most beginner-friendly guides for restoring an iCloud backup. It’s helpful if you simply want to reinstall your iCloud backup onto your device. But despite the name, its “iCloud Recovery” feature does not actually recover deleted data from iCloud. Instead, it walks you through Apple’s built-in restore process with a nicer interface.
Pros
- Clear, step-by-step instructions for restoring an iCloud backup.
- Can restore data directly to the device.
- Supports system-level data like settings, Home Screen layout, and apps.
- iCloud Recovery Mode is completely free.
Cons
- Still requires a cable connection to your computer.
- The process factory resets the phone without clear warning. If you don’t have an iCloud backup, you can lose a large amount of data instantly.
How It Works
EaseUS does not extract or recover deleted iCloud data. Its “iCloud Recovery” feature simply:
Factory resets your iPhone to the Hello screen
Guides you through Apple’s official Restore From iCloud Backup process
This is the same method you’d use directly through Apple, just with an on-screen guide.
Recovery Success Rate: 70%
(🚨But this comes with a high risk of additional data loss, since the process requires a full device reset.)
Pricing
$59.95 per month
$79.95 per year
$99.95 lifetime plan
Part 5. Final Summary: Which iCloud Data Recovery Tool Is Actually Worth It?
After testing all six tools, the differences are impossible to ignore. Some tools only display the data already visible on iCloud.com, some slow down your computer, and others label themselves as “iCloud recovery” even though they simply guide you through Apple’s built-in restore process.
If your goal is true iCloud data recovery—especially deleted data—only one tool stands out:
Gbyte Recovery
It is the only software in this list capable of reading historical iCloud backup snapshots and recovering deleted content that Apple’s official restore method cannot retrieve.
The rest fall into three categories: basic, limited, or purely instructional.
Here’s the short version:
Gbyte Recovery: Best option for recovering deleted iCloud data
iMyFone D-Back: Solid features, but requires multiple logins and paid preview
Dr.Fone / PhoneRescue / UltData: Only read synced iCloud.com data, no deleted recovery
EaseUS: Just a guided version of Apple’s Restore From iCloud Backup
If you need real recovery instead of simply viewing existing iCloud data, the ranking above is all the direction you need.
