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How to Recover Deleted Videos on iPhone: A Deep Dive

So, you’ve accidentally deleted a video from your iPhone. Panic sets in. Maybe it was a precious memory, a crucial recording, or even just that hilarious cat video you meant to share. Fear not! All is not lost. Recovering deleted videos on an iPhone is often possible, and the path to retrieval is multifaceted.

The Direct Answer: How Do You Recover Deleted Videos?

The immediate answer boils down to these methods, presented in order of increasing complexity and reliance on backups:

Check the “Recently Deleted” Album: This is your first and easiest port of call. Like a digital recycling bin, your iPhone retains deleted photos and videos for 30 days before permanently erasing them.
Restore from an iCloud Backup: If the video was deleted longer than 30 days ago, or permanently deleted from the “Recently Deleted” album, an iCloud backup might be your savior. This requires a complete restore of your iPhone to a previous state.
Restore from an iTunes/Finder Backup (Mac): Similar to iCloud, a backup stored on your computer via iTunes (on older macOS versions) or Finder (on newer versions) can restore your iPhone to a time before the deletion.
Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software: If all else fails, specialized data recovery software can attempt to scan your iPhone’s internal storage for remnants of the deleted video. This method is the riskiest and doesn’t guarantee success, but it’s often the last resort.

Let’s explore each of these methods in detail to give you the best chance of retrieving your cherished video.

The Quick Win: The “Recently Deleted” Album

How to Use the Recently Deleted Album

This is the simplest and most direct method. Here’s how:

Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
Tap on Albums at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down to the Utilities section and select Recently Deleted.
You’ll see a list of photos and videos deleted within the last 30 days.
To recover a video, tap on it, then tap Recover in the bottom right corner. You can also tap Recover All to restore all the items in the album.

Remember, after 30 days, items in this album are automatically and permanently deleted.

Leveraging iCloud Backups

How to Restore from iCloud Backup

Restoring from an iCloud backup essentially rolls your iPhone back to a previous state. This means everything on your phone will revert, so make sure to back up any current data you don’t want to lose. Here’s how to proceed:

Ensure you have a recent iCloud backup. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Verify the last backup date and time. If the backup isn’t recent enough, perform a backup before attempting the restore (this will overwrite the backup you’re aiming to restore from, so it’s vital to ensure the deleted video was present at the time of the latest backup).
Erase all content and settings on your iPhone. This is crucial for the restore process. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Confirm your decision.
Your iPhone will restart and guide you through the setup process. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.
Select the backup that predates the video’s deletion.
The restore process will begin. Be patient; this can take some time depending on the size of the backup and your internet connection speed.
Once the restore is complete, check your Photos app to see if the deleted video has been recovered.

Utilizing iTunes/Finder Backups (Mac)

How to Restore from an iTunes/Finder Backup

The process for restoring from a computer backup (either through iTunes or Finder) is similar to restoring from iCloud, but instead of using iCloud servers, you’re using a backup stored directly on your Mac.

Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
Open iTunes (on macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later).
Select your iPhone when it appears in iTunes or Finder.
Click Restore Backup.
Choose the backup that predates the video’s deletion.
Enter the password for your backup if prompted.
Wait for the restore process to complete. This can take a while, so ensure your iPhone remains connected to your computer throughout the process.
Once the restore is finished, check your Photos app to see if the deleted video has been recovered.

The Risky Gambit: Third-Party Data Recovery Software

How to Use Third-Party Recovery Software

When all else fails, third-party data recovery software offers a glimmer of hope. However, proceed with caution. These programs often require jailbreaking your iPhone (which voids your warranty and exposes you to security risks) and may not guarantee success. Moreover, they can be expensive.

Research and choose reputable data recovery software. Look for software that is specifically designed for iOS devices and has positive user reviews. Some popular options include Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, and iMobie PhoneRescue.
Download and install the software on your computer.
Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
Follow the software’s instructions to scan your iPhone for deleted data. This process can take a significant amount of time.
Preview the recovered files. The software should display a list of recoverable photos and videos.
Select the video(s) you want to recover and choose a location on your computer to save them.

Important Considerations:

Act quickly: The longer you wait after deleting the video, the lower your chances of recovery.
Stop using your iPhone: The more you use your iPhone after deleting the video, the more likely the deleted data will be overwritten by new data.
Beware of scams: Be wary of data recovery software that promises unrealistic results or asks for excessive personal information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the process of recovering deleted videos on your iPhone:

What happens to a video when I delete it from my iPhone?
Initially, it’s moved to the “Recently Deleted” album where it stays for 30 days. After that, it’s supposed to be permanently deleted, but fragments might remain in the phone’s storage until overwritten.
Does iCloud automatically backup my videos?
Yes, if you have iCloud Photos enabled. However, only photos and videos taken by your iPhone are automatically backed up. Videos you’ve downloaded or transferred to your phone from other sources might not be included unless you use a separate backup method.
Can I recover videos deleted before I started using iCloud backup?
No, iCloud can only restore data that was present during a previous backup.
Is it possible to recover videos deleted before I last backed up my iPhone to my computer?
No. Only data that was present on the backup can be restored.
How can I check when my last iCloud backup was?
Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. The date and time of the last backup will be displayed.
Can I selectively restore only the photos and videos from an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup without restoring the entire iPhone?
Officially, no. Apple doesn’t offer a feature for selectively restoring only photos or videos from a backup. However, some third-party software claims to offer this functionality, but use them with caution.
Will restoring from a backup delete the current data on my iPhone?
Yes, restoring from a backup will overwrite all current data on your iPhone with the data from the backup. That’s why backing up your current data before restoring is crucial.
What is the success rate of third-party data recovery software?
The success rate varies greatly depending on several factors, including how long ago the video was deleted, how much the iPhone has been used since then, and the quality of the software. Don’t expect a miracle.
Is it safe to jailbreak my iPhone to use data recovery software?

Jailbreaking voids your warranty and exposes your iPhone to security vulnerabilities. It’s generally not recommended unless you fully understand the risks.
Are there any free iPhone data recovery software options?
Some data recovery software offers free trial versions, but these often have limitations, such as restricting the amount of data you can recover. Full versions usually require a paid license.
How can I prevent accidental video deletion in the future?
Enable iCloud Photos and regularly back up your iPhone to your computer. Consider using a dedicated cloud storage service for important videos. Be more careful!
If I gave my iPhone to someone else after deleting a video, can they recover it?
Potentially, yes. If the iPhone hasn’t been thoroughly wiped, and they use data recovery software, they might be able to recover deleted videos. It is important to always completely erase all content and settings before giving away or selling a device.

Losing a video from your iPhone can be distressing, but by following these steps and understanding the available options, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful recovery. Good luck!