6 Proven Ways to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on iPhone

Losing important files on your iPhone is stressful — especially when they’re permanently deleted and not even in “Recently Deleted” anymore.

Many users believe that "Permanently Deleted" means "Gone Forever." However, in 2026, that is a myth. Permanently deleted iPhone files are not always gone forever. In most cases, the data still resides on your iPhone until it is overwritten by new information.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 6 proven methods to recover deleted files on iPhone, from Apple’s official options to professional iOS data recovery software that can scan and preview lost data before you pay.

Which File Recovery Method is Right for You?

Time is critical when data is lost. Choose the scenario that matches your file loss situation to find the fastest solution.

⚠️ Critical Tip to Save Your Data: > To maximize the chance to recover permanently deleted files on iPhone, stop using your device immediately. Taking new photos or downloading apps can overwrite the "invisible" deleted data, making it unrecoverable.

Run a Free Scan Now to Check Recoverability ⬇️

Method 1: Recover from Recently Deleted – First Place to Check

The Recently Deleted folder is the first place to look because iPhone keeps deleted files here for up to 30 days. This makes it the quickest and most convenient way to restore recently deleted files without any additional software.

Steps:

1. Open the Files app.

2. Tap Browse > Recently Deleted.

   

3. Select the file(s) you want to restore.

4. Tap Recover to return them to their original location.

   

   👍 Best for: Anyone who just deleted a file and noticed it quickly.

Didn't find your files in Recently Deleted?

Once the folder is emptied, iOS can no longer show those files — but recoverable data may still exist in iCloud snapshots.

Gbyte Recovery helps you check what’s still recoverable with a free scan and preview, before you decide to restore.

Method 2: Recover Permanently Deleted iPhone Files Without Backup (Best Success Rate)

If your files are permanently deleted and you don’t have any usable backup, professional iPhone recovery software like Gbyte Recovery becomes your last and most effective option.

Gbyte Recovery is specifically designed for high-stakes situations where:

• Files are no longer in the "Recently Deleted" folder.

• iCloud or iTunes backup is unavailable, corrupted, or outdated.

• You need to recover specific files (like just one important photo or chat) without restoring the entire iPhone and wiping current data.

Why users choose Gbyte Recovery to save their data:

• ✅ Free Scan & Preview: Secure Apple ID–based extraction with preview before you decide to spend a cent.

• ✅ Recovers data from iCloud snapshots, not by modifying your iPhone

• ✅ Selective Recovery: Don't waste hours; just pick the files you need and save them to your PC/Mac.

• ✅ 100% Data Safety: The process is read-only. It will never overwrite or damage your existing iPhone data.

⚠️ Pro Tip for Maximum Success: Once a file is deleted, it becomes "vulnerable." Avoid installing new apps or taking photos, as new data may overwrite those recoverable fragments. The sooner you scan, the higher the success rate.

How to start your recovery (4 Simple Steps):

Gbyte Recovery lets you scan your device directly and preview what’s recoverable before paying. No setup complexity, no waiting: just see your lost data and restore it in minutes.

For a quick walkthrough of how it works, check out our Gbyte iOS data recovery guide.

1. Download and install Gbyte Recovery on your computer or access the web version on your iPhone.

   

2. Select the Files data types you want to recover.

3. Run a free deep scan to detect all recoverable files on your device.

   

4. Preview & Restore: Browse the found files. Once you see your deleted data, upgrade to the full version to save them instantly.

👍 Best for: Users who don’t have backups and need to recover files quickly.

Method 3: Recover Deleted Files from iCloud Backup (Requires Factory Reset)

• 👍 Best for: Users with a very recent backup who don't mind wiping their current phone data.

• The Risk: You might lose new data created after the backup was made.

Steps: 1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

Steps: 2. Once the iPhone restarts, follow the setup until the Apps & Data screen.

Steps: 3. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup and sign in.

Pros

• Reliable if backups exist.
• No third-party software needed.

Cons

• Restoring replaces all current data on the device.
• Only works if backups were made before deletion.

💡 Stuck here? If you don't want to wipe your iPhone or your iCloud storage was full/not backing up, [use Method 2] to recover files selectively without any reset.

⚠️ If you want to avoid the risk of losing current data entirely, our guide on restoring from iCloud without resetting your iPhone explains safer alternatives.

Method 4: Restore Permanently Deleted Data via iTunes or Finder

For those who prefer local backups on a computer, iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac) is the traditional way. Like iCloud, this is an "all-or-nothing" process.

• 👍 Best for: Users with regular local backups who need to recover older deleted files.

• Success Requirement: You must have synced your iPhone to this specific computer before the files were deleted.

• Pros: Free and doesn't require an internet connection.

• Cons: It overwrites your current iPhone data with the old backup data. You cannot see what's inside the backup before restoring.

Quick Steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.

2. Open iTunes or Finder and select your device.

   

3. Click Restore Backup and choose the most relevant date.

⚠️ Warning: iTunes will replace your current photos, messages, and app data with the old backup. If you only need to extract one specific file without losing your current data, a professional extractor like Gbyte Recovery is a much safer bet.

Method 5: Recover Files from iCloud.com (For Files/Drive Only)

• 👍 Best for: Users who regularly use iCloud Drive and want a quick restore without computer backups.

If you regularly back up your iPhone to the cloud, iCloud is a solid option. However, there is a major catch: you must erase all current content and settings on your iPhone to restore an old backup.

Steps:

1. Open a web browser and visit iCloud.com, then sign in with your Apple ID.

2. Navigate to iCloud Drive > Recently Deleted.

   

3. Browse the deleted files, select what you want to recover, and click Recover.

Pros

• No additional software needed.
• Works across all devices using the same Apple ID.

Cons

• Only works if iCloud Drive was enabled before deletion.
• Limited to the 30-day retention period.

Method 6: Contact Apple Support or Professional Data Recovery Services

Sometimes, the usual recovery methods won’t work—especially if too much time has passed or if the files were never backed up. In those cases, you may need professional help.

• Apple Support: If your files are tied to iCloud (like Notes, Photos, or app data), Apple may still be able to help recover them from the server side.

• Professional Data Recovery Labs: If the data is extremely critical, services like Secure Data Recovery can extract data directly from the iPhone’s memory chip. These labs use advanced forensic tools, but they’re costly and typically a last resort.

👍 This path is best reserved for situations where the lost files are irreplaceable—like legal documents, sensitive business records, or once-in-a-lifetime photos.

Final Thoughts

If you’re wondering, “How can I recover lost files on my iPhone?”—the answer depends on whether you have a backup.

iCloud and iTunes backups are safe bets if you keep them updated. But if you don’t have a backup—or you only need to recover certain files—Gbyte Recovery is the most effective solution to retrieve permanently deleted files on iPhone.

Instead of panicking, follow the method that best fits your situation. With the right approach, those files you thought were gone forever may be just a few steps away from being restored.

FAQs

Can permanently deleted files on iPhone be recovered?

Yes. Permanently deleted files on iPhone aren’t always gone forever. If the data hasn’t been fully erased or overwritten, recovery may still be possible.

How to recover permanently deleted files on iPhone without backup?

Without an iCloud or iTunes backup, you’ll need a recovery tool that can analyze iCloud snapshots linked to your Apple ID. This is the most effective way to recover permanently deleted iPhone files without resetting your device.

How to recover deleted files on iPhone without losing current data?

Avoid restoring a full backup. Choose a software that supports selective recovery, like Gbyte Recovery, so you can restore only deleted files without overwriting existing data.

Are permanently deleted iPhone files gone forever after 30 days?

Not always. After 30 days, files disappear from iOS, but some deleted data may still exist temporarily in iCloud records, allowing a chance to recover deleted files from iPhone.

Can I recover deleted files from iPhone using iCloud?

Yes, but with limits. iCloud restore requires a factory reset and doesn’t let you preview files. It’s not ideal if you only need specific data.

Is it safe to use recovery software on iPhone?

Yes, if the tool uses read-only access and retrieves data from iCloud snapshots instead of modifying your iPhone.

Can I preview deleted files before paying?

Yes. Reliable tools allow a free scan and preview, so you only pay if your deleted files are actually recoverable.

What should I do immediately after deleting files?

Stop using your iPhone right away. New data can overwrite deleted files and reduce the chance to recover them.

Can I recover files deleted a long time ago?

It depends on whether the data has been overwritten. The sooner you use Gbyte's Free Scan, the better your chances of seeing those "invisible" files.

What types of files can Gbyte Recovery restore?

Beyond documents and photos, Gbyte Recovery handles various iOS data types including messages, app data, and even calendar events that have disappeared from your iPhone.

Is Gbyte Recovery really free to scan?

Yes. We believe you should only pay if our technology actually finds your lost data. Download, scan, and preview—if it's there, you can upgrade to save it.