Title: 11 Best iPhone Data Recovery Software: Reviews & Tested in 2026 URL Source: https://www.gbyte.com/blog/best-iphone-data-recovery Published Time: 2025-07-29T07:18:36.000Z Markdown Content: ![Image 1: Group 1000008143](https://resource.gbyte.com/20251211/original/Group%201000008143.webp) iPhone Data Recovery Predictor Not sure if your iPhone data can be recovered? Find out in 30 seconds. [](https://www.gbyte.com/blog/best-iphone-data-recovery)[Test Now](https://www.gbyte.com/iphone-data-recovery-predictor) Losing important iPhone data — photos, messages, contacts, app files — is genuinely stressful, and every data recovery tool on the market claims a "high recovery rate" and "professional-grade algorithms." Instead of repeating that marketing language, we ran the same device and the same batch of data through each tool ourselves, and we're showing you the real scan results below — including the parts that underperformed. None of these 11 tools is an all-around winner — recovery method, supported data types, and pricing all differ — so which software is best for you depends on your specific situation. We've broken down recommendations by scenario below. ## What to look for in an iPhone data recovery tool Picking a reliable **iPhone data recovery tool** comes down to a few things that actually determine whether you'll get your data back: * **Is it actually "recovering" anything?** Some tools just display data that's still on your phone in a different interface — that's not truly "recovering deleted files." We ran into this more than once during testing; see each tool's results below. * **Ease of use**: whether you're a beginner or a power user, a more intuitive workflow makes a difference. * **Supported data types**: beyond photos, messages, and contacts, you may also need WhatsApp, LINE, or Safari history. * **Compatibility**: make sure it supports your device model and iOS version, including iOS 26 and newer. * **Scan speed and accuracy**: fast, thorough, and actually able to surface deleted data — you need all three. * **Pricing and refund policy**: is pricing transparent, and is there a free trial or a refund if recovery fails? ![Image 2: iPhone-photos-recovery-software-features.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20250829/large/iPhone-photos-recovery-software-features.webp) ## How We Tested **Test period**: September 1, 2026, run back-to-back. **Test device**: iPhone 13, iOS 26.0. **Software versions tested** — all downloaded fresh on August 27, 2026: * Gbyte Recovery 10.8.5 * Wondershare Dr.Fone 13.9.7 * iMobile PhoneRescue 4.3.1.20260811 * Tenorshare UltData 10.5.1 * iMyFone D-Back 9.2.6 * FoneLab 10.8.58 * FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery 10.13.0 * EaseUS MobiSaver 8.0 * Stellar Data Recovery 9.0.0.2 * Disk Drill 6.3.2326 * Appgeeker (same version as FoneLab, 10.8.58 — see disclosure below) **Test dataset**: real data generated from day-to-day use of the test device, including 180 deleted photos, plus deleted WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, and Snapchat chats, Safari bookmarks, and contacts. **How we tested**: each tool was tested with both "on-device scan" and "iCloud recovery" (where supported). **What we recorded**: the actual data types and quantities scanned; the specific number of items each tool explicitly flagged as "deleted and successfully recovered"; and interface behavior, connection stability, and any issues we ran into during testing. **Limitations**: these results are based on a single device, a single iOS version, and a single data-loss scenario. They don't represent how these tools perform across all device models, iOS versions, or other data-loss scenarios (like water damage, system crashes, or physical damage). **Special note**: Disk Drill's Windows version currently doesn't support iPhone data recovery — that feature is only available in the Mac version — so we used a Mac to test this tool. ## Quick Guide ### Three recovery methods — know which one you actually need After testing all 11 tools, we found that despite different interfaces, there are really only three recovery methods. Knowing the difference will save you time: * **On-device scan**: in our testing, this method mostly surfaced data that's still on the phone right now — at best, we could confirm just 5 truly deleted photos this way. If you just want to export data that's currently on your phone, this works fine; but if the data is actually deleted, this method generally won't get it back. * **iTunes backup recovery**: good if you've previously backed up your phone with iTunes — you can pull data directly from that backup file. * **iCloud backup recovery**: good if your data is genuinely gone from the device and you need to pull it from a historical iCloud backup. But there's an important distinction here — in this test, every tool except Gbyte Recovery could only read your _current_ iCloud backup, the one that exists right now. If that backup itself no longer contains the data (because it was deleted or overwritten before the last sync), those tools have nothing to recover. Gbyte Recovery was the exception: it could extract data from iCloud backup history that had already been deleted, not just the current snapshot, and export it directly back to your phone. ### 11 Tools at a Glance _Prices below were checked September 1, 2026, and are subject to change — check the vendor site for current pricing._ **Product****Recover Data from iCloud****Recover Data from Device Scan****Recover Data from iTunes****Price** **Gbyte Recovery**(Only tool that recovers already-deleted iCloud backup history)Photos 1329 (171 confirmed deleted), Videos 99, Messages 107, WhatsApp 127 + 259 attachments, WhatsApp Business 35 + 50 attachments, LINE 13, Snapchat 2834, Calls 34, Mail 1000, Safari Bookmarks 37, Contacts 10, Notes 2 Not supported Not supported$49.99/month $99.99/year $149.99/lifetime Dr.Fone Photos 1205, Contacts 13, Notes 6 (1 attachment), Reminders 2,~1394 photos; not marked deleted vs. existing Supported$44.95/month $59.95/year $69.95/lifetime iMobile PhoneRescue Photos 1324~1389 items incl. video; deleted items largely not found Supported$45.99/month $49.99/year $69.99/lifetime Tenorshare UltData Photos 1183, Notes 6 (1 attachment), Contacts 13~1355 photos incl. video, 27 contacts, 69 messages; not marked deleted vs. existing Supported$45.95/month $49.95/year $65.95/lifetime iMyFone D-Back Photos 1178, Notes 6 (1 attachment), Contacts 13 3235 photos (large duplication observed — e.g., one photo of a pen appeared 4 times), 107 videos Supported$49.95/month $55.95/year $79.99/lifetime FoneLab Photos 500, Contacts 13, Notes (1 attachment)1394 items incl. video; 5 confirmed deleted photos; 5 existing Safari bookmarks Supported$49.95/month $55.96/year $116/lifetime FonePaw Photos 161, Contacts 13, Notes 6 (1 attachment)5 confirmed deleted photos; other data not found Supported$49.95/month $59.95/year $69.95/lifetime EaseUS MobiSaver Photos 1178, Notes 5 (1 attachment), Contacts 10~1389 items incl. video; deleted items largely not found Supported$59.9/month $79.9/year $99.95/lifetime Stellar Data Recovery Not supported 6 confirmed deleted photos; device required 3 connection attempts to be recognized Supported$39.99/year Disk Drill Not supported Quick scan: 508 items (10 min). Deep scan: 1589 items (50 min), many system files/thumbnails. 102 of 180 deleted photos recovered (47%). Deleted SMS/WhatsApp: only data from the most recent iTunes backup was shown Supported$89.90/year (Mac only for iOS) $99.95/lifetime Appgeeker Same as FoneLab — installer redirects to a FoneLab-branded package Same as FoneLab Same as FoneLab Same as FoneLab ## Top iPhone Data Recovery Tools of 2026 Below are the detailed results for each of the 11 tools. ### Gbyte Recovery Gbyte Recovery is a comprehensive iPhone data recovery solution designed for both individual users and professional data recovery services. The software focuses on deep scanning capabilities and supports a wide range of data loss scenarios—from simple deletions to complex system issues—aiming to deliver truly recoverable data from your devices. ![Image 3: gbyte-recovery-app-enter-menu.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260826/large/gbyte-recovery-app-enter-menu.webp) We tested Gbyte Recovery. This tool doesn't support on-device scanning — all recovery goes through iCloud. After scanning, we found 1,329 photos total, with 171 explicitly flagged as deleted; the scan also surfaced 99 videos, 107 texts, 18 files, 127 WhatsApp messages (with 259 attachments), 35 WhatsApp Business messages (with 50 attachments), 13 LINE messages, 2,834 Snapchat messages, 34 call records, 1,000 emails, 37 Safari bookmarks, 10 contacts, and 2 notes. Compared against every other tool in this test, Gbyte Recovery's iCloud recovery had both the largest volume of data and the broadest coverage of data types. ![Image 4: gbyte-recovery-data-category-en.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/gbyte-recovery-data-category-en.webp) ![Image 5: gbyte-icloud-scanned-overview-20260901-en.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260901/large/gbyte-scan-complete-en.webp) **Key Features:** * **No USB Required:** Gbyte Recovery accesses and recovers data directly via iCloud, eliminating the need for a physical connection to your iPhone. * **Deep Scanning Technology:** By leveraging deep scan algorithms and comparing data with iCloud snapshots, it can locate even the most hidden or deleted files. * **Supports Over 25 Data Types:** Including[permanently deleted photos](https://www.gbyte.com/blog/recover-permanently-deleted-photos-iphone-without-backup), contacts, messages, videos, call logs, notes, and data from popular third-party apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, and LINE. * **Selective Recovery:** Users can preview recoverable files and choose to restore only what they need. * **Fast and Efficient:** Designed to minimize recovery time while maintaining high accuracy. * **Broad Device Compatibility:** Compatible with a wide range of iPhone models. Tested feedback: * The software offers clear download and usage guidelines, supporting only iCloud-based recovery. Some data types may require longer scan times, but users can view deleted or lost data once the scan completes. For the free trial, you can freely scan and then preview up to the first three recoverable items. **Pros** * Advanced deep scanning algorithms with high recovery success rates * Supports recovery of third-party app data (WhatsApp, WeChat, LINE, etc.) * Free scanning and preview available before purchase * Intuitive interface suitable for beginners, backed by 24/7 customer support * Recovered the most data of any tool in this test — including both existing and genuinely deleted data * Desktop version lets you choose to restore to your phone or computer **Cons** * Doesn't support on-device scanning or iTunes backup recovery * Focuses exclusively on iPhone data recovery * Deep scans can be time-consuming, depending on the device and data volume ### Disk Drill [Disk Drill](https://www.cleverfiles.com/) is also a popular data recovery tool available. It offers a complete set of features for recovering lost files on iPhones, from photos and messages to app data. Its ease of use and multiple recovery options make it an attractive choice for both beginners and experienced users. Because Disk Drill's Windows version currently has no iPhone data recovery feature — that's Mac-only — we switched to a Mac to complete this test. The quick scan took about 10 minutes and found 508 items; the deep scan took about 50 minutes and found 1,589 items, though a large portion of those were system files or thumbnails that weren't actually usable. Out of the 180 permanently deleted photos in our test dataset, Disk Drill recovered 102 — a 47% recovery rate, the only tool in this test with a fully quantifiable recovery rate. Results were less impressive for texts and WhatsApp messages, though — it only showed data from the most recent iTunes backup, without recovering any additional deleted messages. ![Image 6: diskdrill-mac-scanned-overview-20260901.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/disk-drill-main-scan-screen.webp) **Features** * **Multiple Recovery Modes**: Offers Quick and Deep Scan modes to allow users to recover data quickly or dig deeper into the system for more challenging recoveries. * **Wide File Recovery**: Disk Drill can recover multimedia, documents, and app data. * **Recovery from iTunes**: The software supports recovering data from iTunes backups and accounts. * **Preview and Selective Recovery**: Before restoring, users can preview their data to ensure they’re recovering the right files. * **Built-in Data Protection**: Disk Drill also includes free data protection tools to prevent future data loss, such as Recovery Vault and Guaranteed Recovery. **Pros** * Versatile scan modes and broad file support * Easily handles backup data from iTunes * Cross‑platform compatibility (macOS, Windows) * Data protection features prevent future data loss **Cons** * Doesn't support iCloud backup recovery * Deep scans may be slow on large datasets * iOS data recovery only works on the Mac version — the Windows version currently has no iPhone (iOS) data recovery module * Recovered data can only be restored to a computer — not directly to the phone **Best for**: Mac users mainly looking to recover accidentally deleted photos (47% recovery rate in this test). ### Dr.Fone [Dr.Fone](https://drfone.wondershare.com/data-recovery-iphone.html) is a fully featured suite that goes beyond **iPhone data recovery software**, offering a comprehensive toolkit that extends beyond simple file recovery to include device repair, unlocking, and management features. The iPhone data recovery module benefits from years of development and regular updates to maintain iOS compatibility. ![Image 7: drfone-ios-data-recovery.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260901/large/drfone-ios-data-recovery.webp) Dr.Fone's on-device scan found roughly 1,394 photos, 30 Safari bookmarks, 1 Safari history entry, 1 voice memo, 959 in-app photos, 13 in-app videos, and 68 in-app documents. iCloud recovery found 1,205 photos, 13 contacts, 6 notes (1 attachment), 0 calendar events, and 2 reminders; Numbers, Pages, and Keynote files all showed 0, and "deleted files" also showed 0. Recovered results can be exported directly to a phone or computer. ![Image 8: drfone-recover-from-icloud-result-20260901.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/drfone-recover-from-icloud-result.webp) ![Image 9: drfone-ios-data-recovery-scan-result.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260901/large/drfone-ios-data-recovery-scan-result.webp) **Key Features** * Recovery from iPhone, iTunes, iCloud, and damaged devices * Supports 18+ data types, including WhatsApp, photos, videos, and contacts * Smart preview and selective recovery * Built‑in system repair (boot loops, crashes) Tested feedback: * Dr.Fone cannot actually recover most data (except Notes). It simply displas existing data from your phone - anything shown in the interface can already be found on your device. The tool cannot restore permanently deleted content. **Pros** * Easy process and fast scanning * Multi‑purpose management suite * After scanning, lets you choose to restore to your phone or computer **Cons** * Interface may feel complex for simple recovery needs * In this test, neither the on-device nor iCloud scan results flagged any deleted data, we can't confirm real recovery ability * Recovered data can only be restored to a computer — not directly to the phone **Best for**: people who want a one-stop solution for recovery, system repair, and unlocking. ### Tenorshare UltData [Tenorshare UltData](https://www.tenorshare.com/products/iphone-data-recovery.html) is a well-regarded iPhone data recovery tool that offers excellent recovery capabilities, especially for users who have experienced data loss due to system issues or accidental deletions. ![Image 10: tenorshare-ultdata.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20250917/large/tenorshare-ultdata.webp) Tenorshare UltData's on-device scan found roughly 1,355 photos (including videos), 27 contacts, 69 texts, and 6 notes (1 attachment). iCloud recovery found 1,183 photos, 6 notes (1 attachment), and 13 contacts. This tool also includes an additional system repair feature. ![Image 11: ultdata-device-scan-complete--20260901-en.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260831/large/ultdata-device-scan-complete-en2.webp) ![Image 12: ultdata-icloud-scan-complete-20260901-en.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260831/large/ultdata-icloud-scan-complete-en.webp) **Key Features** * Supports recovery from device, iCloud, and iTunes backups * Friendly interface with efficient workflow **Pros** * Covers a wide range of file types * High rate of successful recovery * Responsive customer support * Regular updates for new iOS compatibility **Cons** * Free version limits features * Deep scan and full recovery can take time * Full licensing can be costly * Recovered data can only be restored to a computer — not directly to the phone ### Stellar Data Recovery [Stellar Data Recovery](https://www.stellarinfo.com/media-tools/iphone-data-recovery.php) brings enterprise-level data recovery expertise to consumer iPhone recovery with professional-grade algorithms and comprehensive recovery capabilities. The company's background in professional data recovery services influences the software's robust feature set and reliability. ![Image 13: stellar-data-recovery-en.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/stellar-data-recovery-en.webp) Stellar Data Recovery doesn't support iCloud recovery — only on-device scanning and iTunes backup recovery. The on-device scan explicitly recovered 6 deleted photos; everything else found was data already on the device. During testing, the device took three connection attempts to be detected — not a smooth experience. ![Image 14: stellar-device-scan-data-type.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/stellar-device-scan-data-type.webp) **Key Features** * Quick and deep scanning * Support for iTunes and iCloud encrypted backups * Recovery from physically damaged devices **Pros** * Lowest starting price of any tool in this test * Offers quick and deep scan modes * On-device scanning recovered 6 deleted photos (out of 180) **Cons** * Doesn't support iCloud recovery * Slow scanning for deep recovery * Device detection was unreliable — took 3 connection attempts * Recovered data can only be restored to a computer — not directly to the phone ### EaseUS MobiSaver [EaseUS MobiSaver](https://www.easeus.com/mobile-tool/iphone-data-recovery-pro.html) is a user-friendly iOS data recovery tool designed to retrieve lost or deleted data from iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices. It supports recovery from various scenarios, including accidental deletion, device damage, system crashes, and more. ![Image 15: easeus-mobisaver-en.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/mobisaver-en.webp) EaseUS MobiSaver's on-device scan results were similar to several other tools — around 1,389 items (including videos) — but essentially no genuinely deleted data was found. iCloud recovery found 1,178 photos, 5 notes (1 attachment), and 10 contacts. ![Image 16: espera-escaneo-mobisaver.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260228/large/espera-escaneo-mobisaver.webp) **Key Features** * Multiple recovery mode support * Recover photos, messages, contacts, notes, Safari bookmarks, voice memos, and WhatsApp * Preview before recovery; choose export destination **Pros** * Great balance of features and ease of use * Offers preview before recovery * Clear interface for beginners **Cons** * In this test, on-device scanning found essentially no recoverable deleted photos * Free version has limited export options * Some users report incomplete recovery on certain file types * Recovered data can only be restored to a computer — not directly to the phone ### FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery [FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery](https://www.fonepaw.com/) is a versatile tool that enables users to recover lost data from iOS devices, iTunes backups, and iCloud backups. It is compatible with a wide range of iOS devices and supports various data types. ![Image 17: fonepaw-en-.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/fonepaw-en.webp) FonePaw's on-device scan recovered 5 deleted photos; no other deleted data types were found. iCloud recovery supports only 5 data types, and the scan found 161 photos, 13 contacts, and 6 notes (1 attachment) — again, no deleted data was found. We also noticed it supports fewer languages than most competitors. ![Image 18: fonepaw-device-scan-result-en-20260901.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/fonepaw-device-scan-result-en.webp) ![Image 19: fonepaw-icloud-scan-result-en-20260901.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/fonepaw-icloud-scan-result-en.webp) **Key Features:** * **Wide Compatibility:** Supports iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch, covering the latest iOS versions and devices. * **Multiple Data Recovery** Tested feedback: * In my experience, most of the scanned data was still present on the device—not deleted or lost files. The USB free trial only allows viewing, with no option to export or recover. Among all data types, only Notes showed truly deleted content. The iCloud recovery option is even more limited, supporting just six data types in preview mode, again with only Notes displaying actual deleted data. Pros **Pros** * Competitive pricing * Intuitive UI and selective recovery * Supports on-device, iTunes, and iCloud recovery **Cons** * iCloud recovery testing found no deleted data at all (only 161 existing photos and basic info) * Supports few languages * **Selective Recovery:** Allows you to select specific files for recovery, saving time and storage. * Recovered data can only be restored to a computer — not directly to the phone ### iMyFone D-Back [iMyFone D-Back](https://www.imyfone.com/) is a comprehensive data recovery tool that supports recovery from iOS devices, iTunes backups, and iCloud backups. It is designed to recover various data types and fix common iOS system issues. ![Image 20: imyfone-data-recovery.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/imyfone-data-recovery.webp) iMyFone D-Back's on-device scan found 3,235 photos, but we noticed a lot of duplicates — for example, we took a single photo of a pen, and the scan results showed 4 identical copies of it. It also found 107 videos and 274 in-app photos. iCloud recovery found 1,178 photos, 6 notes (1 attachment), and 13 contacts. ![Image 21: imyfone-data-recovery-scan-result-20260901.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260902/large/imyfone-data-recovery-scan-result.webp) **Key Features:** * D-Back offers several recovery options, including device, iTunes, and iCloud recovery. * It supports recovery of photos, videos, contacts, messages, notes, WhatsApp, and more. Tested feedback: * In my actual testing with both USB and iCloud recovery methods, I found that iCloud backups don’t support free scanning. iMyFone D-Back displayed a large amount of data after scanning, but it was mostly content still on the device—including items from the Recently Deleted folder. Permanently deleted files couldn’t be recovered. For example, WhatsApp showed only existing chats, and deleted messages were unrecoverable. **Pros** * Fast, organized scanning process * Supports on-device, iTunes, and iCloud recovery * Regular compatibility updates * After scanning, lets you choose to restore to your phone or computer **Cons** * Cannot recover permanently deleted files * In this test, on-device scanning produced a large number of duplicate entries (e.g., the same photo scanned 4 times), undermining the reliability of the numbers **Best for**: people mainly looking to recover photos, contacts, and notes via iCloud. If you're relying on the on-device scan numbers to judge how much can be recovered, keep in mind a lot of them are duplicates. ### FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery [FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery](https://www.fonelab.com/) is designed to recover lost data from iOS devices, iTunes backups, and iCloud backups. It supports various data types and is compatible with the latest iOS devices. ![Image 22: fonelab-en (2).webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/fonelab-en%20(2).webp) FoneLab's on-device scan found 1,394 items (including videos), with 5 explicitly flagged as deleted photos and successfully recovered; it also found 5 Safari bookmarks that were already on the device, and no other deleted content. iCloud recovery found 500 photos, 13 contacts, and notes (1 attachment). ![Image 23: fonelab-device-scan-result-en-20260901.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/fonelab-device-scan-result-en.webp) ![Image 24: fonelab-icloud-scan-result-en-20260901.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/fonelab-icloud-scan-result-en.webp) **Features** * FoneLab supports recovering data from iOS devices, iTunes backups, or iCloud backups. * iOS System Recovery: Fix common iOS issues without data loss. Tested Feedback: * In my experience, recovering directly from the iPhone provided access to the most data types. However, when using iTunes or iCloud backup recovery, the results were noticeably limited—only existing data was displayed, and I wasn't able to retrieve anything that had been deleted or lost from the device. **Pros** * In this test, on-device scanning recovered 5 deleted photos (out of 180, roughly 2.8%) * Supports on-device, iTunes, and iCloud recovery, plus an iOS system repair feature (per official site) * Annual price ($55.96) is lower than most comparable competitors **Cons** * Besides the 5 deleted photos, it did not found any deleted data — only content already present in the backup * Interface felt relatively basic * iCloud recovery found only 500 photos, noticeably lower than most other tools * Many scan results have no preview thumbnail * Recovered data can only be restored to a computer — not directly to the phone ### iMobile PhoneRescue [iMobile PhoneRescue](https://www.imobie.com/phonerescue/ios-data-recovery.htm)'s on-device scan results were similar to several other tools — around 1,389 items (including videos) — but essentially no genuinely deleted content was found. iCloud recovery found 1,324 photos. This tool also includes system repair and screen unlock features. ![Image 25: phonerescue-en.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/phonerescue-en.webp) ![Image 26: phonerescue-icloud-scan-complete-en-20260901.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/phonerescue-icloud-scan-complete-en.webp) **Pros** * Includes system repair and screen unlock features (per official site) **Cons** * In this test, on-device scanning found essentially no deleted content * iCloud recovery found only 1,324 photos, with nothing explicitly flagged as deleted * Recovered data can only be restored to a computer — not directly to the phone **Best for**: people who also need to fix a system issue or unlock a screen. If your main goal is recovering deleted data, this tool didn't perform well in our testing. ### Appgeeker We found that [Appgeeker iPhone Data Recovery](https://www.appgeeker.com/ios-data-recovery.html)'s own product pages for iOS Data Recovery and iOS System Recovery are explicitly labeled "(Fonelab)," and that the software launches under the FoneLab brand after installation. AppGeeker appears to distribute/rebrand several FoneLab products. Its official download and product pages explicitly label products such as iOS Data Recovery and iOS System Recovery as “(Fonelab),” and the downloaded software launches under the FoneLab brand. ![Image 27: appgeeker-website-screenshoot.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20260903/large/appgeeker-website-screenshoot.webp) ## FAQ **Can I still recover data if I don't have an iCloud backup?** Even if you're not sure whether you have an iCloud backup, it's worth checking — Apple gives every account free iCloud storage, and a lot of people have backups they don't know about. You can start by downloading Gbyte Recovery and running a free scan to see if there's anything recoverable before deciding whether to pay. ## Conclusion Across this test, tools and recovery methods varied significantly in whether they could actually recover data that was genuinely deleted. ### On-device scanning Dr.Fone and Tenorshare's on-device scan results didn't indicate whether any content was deleted, so their real recovery ability can't be confirmed. iMobile PhoneRescue, iMyFone D-Back, and EaseUS MobiSaver were checked and found essentially no genuinely deleted content — and iMyFone D-Back's photo count was inflated by a significant number of duplicates. FoneLab, FonePaw, and Stellar Data Recovery all explicitly flagged results as "deleted and successfully recovered," with counts of 5, 5, and 6 photos respectively. Disk Drill was the only tool with a fully quantifiable recovery rate — 102 of 180 deleted photos recovered, a 47% recovery rate. ### iCloud recovery Gbyte Recovery had both the largest data volume and the most comprehensive data-type coverage of any tool in this test — 171 of 1,329 photos were explicitly flagged as deleted, and it also covered WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, LINE, and Snapchat data. Dr.Fone, Tenorshare, iMyFone D-Back, FoneLab, FonePaw, and EaseUS could all recover photos, contacts, and notes via iCloud, but their volume and third-party app coverage fell short of Gbyte Recovery. There's a deeper reason for that gap: **every one of these tools only reads your current iCloud backup** — if the data you're trying to recover was already dropped from that backup (deleted before the most recent sync, or overwritten), there's nothing left for them to find. Gbyte Recovery was the only tool in this test that could reach into iCloud's backup history and pull data that had already been deleted from the current backup, then export it directly back to your phone rather than just to a computer. ### Which one should you pick? * **Your data is genuinely deleted, and you have iCloud backup history**: In this test, Gbyte Recovery's iCloud recovery had both the largest data volume and the broadest data-type coverage — 171 of 1,329 photos were explicitly flagged as deleted, and it could also recover WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, LINE, and Snapchat data — the only tool in this test to cover that range. * **You just want to export data that's currently on your phone**: Dr.Fone's on-device scan lists the widest range of supported data types (beyond photos and contacts, it also covers call recordings, FaceTime, Viber, KIK, and more), so it's worth considering first. * **You previously backed up your phone with iTunes**: Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, FoneLab, FonePaw, and EaseUS MobiSaver all support iTunes backup recovery — pick one to try (this test didn't run a dedicated iTunes backup recovery pass, so we're only listing which tools support it, not ranking them). As noted above, this test is based on a single device, a single iOS version, and one data-loss scenario — your situation may differ. Whichever tool you land on from this list, we'd recommend running its free scan first to confirm it can actually find what you're looking for before you pay. _This article is based on a single round of testing conducted September 1, 2026 on one iPhone 13 (iOS 26.0). If we run a broader round of testing later, we'll update this content._ ![Image 28: Liam Carter](https://resource.gbyte.com/20250514/large/liam-carter.webp) Liam Carter Author Tech writer and lifelong Apple user with over 20 years of experience across every iPhone, iPad, and Mac he could get his hands on. He specializes in turning Apple's most confusing systems into guides that anyone can follow. ![Image 29: Julien Moreau](https://resource.gbyte.com/20250618/large/Julien-Moreau.webp) Julien Moreau Reviewed by iOS Software Engineer with 8 years of experience building and maintaining cloud sync systems. He reviews our technical content to make sure every step is accurate, up to date, and actually works.