How to Recover Deleted or Lost Files from an iPad (The Right Steps)

This post was last updated on July 24, 2016. Revised outdated content due to Apple's iOS feature upgrade, cleaned a few dead links.

Holding an iPad tablet is a cool. But have you ever deleted files such as notes, Contacts, photos, videos, music, email etc off your iPad simply by accident? Or even worse – your iPad got stolen, broken or water damaged, now it is unable to power on? Is it still possible to recover data from iPad?

Today I'm going to show you how to perform data recovery from an iPad.

What you may need:

• Your iPad device.
• A PC or Mac
• Your iCloud account (optional)
• iTunes backup files (optional)
• An iOS data recovery software (optional)

If your iPad is stolen, do this first!

This interesting article by Joshua Johnson is definitely worth for reading. It teaches you how to find your stolen iPad for free by using a program called MobileMe (GPS tracking), together with Google maps. Once the guy who stole or found the device turns the pad one, its position will be positioned and you'll get the notification. Pretty cool.

[update: now Apple has an app called FindMyiPhone that allows you to track your lost device as long as your iPad is turned on and connected to the Internet. Learn more here]

Step 1: check "Recently Deleted" folder

Image credit: Gotbemobile

This trick works for pictures and videos only (iOS 8 or later). Once you delete them, they will go to a folder called "Recently Deleted" first. You can access the folder via Photos > Albums > Recently Deleted. Note: the folder only keeps items for up to 40 days.

Step 2: check iCloud

Chances are that you've somehow used iCloud service to back up your files. If you accidentally deleted some files off your iPad, the files are probably still stored in iCloud storage. This Howtogeek article shows you how to recover the files step by step.

Step 3: check if you have iTunes backup

If you've regularly backed up your iPad using iTunes, or have enabled auto-backup when your iPad is connected to your PC or Mac; then perhaps you could restore all your lost files via the iTunes backup. This Apple support article has more. Note: this works only when your your files got removed after you had an iTunes backup.
 

Step 4: use an iPad data recovery software

If none of the above methods works, your next option would be to use a recovery software. See this iPad data recovery software review and choose one that best fits your situation. Note: it's not guaranteed that you'll be able to retrieve all your items, but it's worth a try.

Step 5: data recovery services could be your last resort

If your lost iPad files are critical to you, and you've tried all the above methods but in vain. Your last option will be to send your device to a data recovery center for services. Be aware of those remote ones (due to scam concerns). Best to visit a local one in person before letting those guys touch your iOS device.

Remember: the best way to prevent iPad data loss is -- backup. Learn how to back up iOS data from this Apple support article. Good luck.

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