Table of Contents

How to Find Deleted Videos on an iPad: A Comprehensive Guide

Finding deleted videos on your iPad can feel like searching for a lost memory in the digital ether. Fear not, fellow iPad aficionado! Recovering those precious moments isn’t always a mission impossible. The key lies in understanding where the iPad stores files and the methods available to retrieve them.

Here’s the direct answer: To find deleted videos on an iPad, you should first check the Recently Deleted album within the Photos app. If the video isn’t there, you can attempt to restore it from a recent iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup. Data recovery software designed for iOS devices is also an option if backups are unavailable.

Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of each method.

Understanding Video Storage and Deletion on iPad

Before we dive into recovery techniques, it’s crucial to understand how iPads handle deleted videos. When you delete a video from the Photos app, it isn’t immediately erased from the device. Instead, it’s moved to the Recently Deleted album. Think of it as a digital purgatory for files – a temporary holding place before permanent deletion.

This is a crucial point: The Recently Deleted album only holds files for 30 days. After that period, the videos are permanently removed from your iPad, making recovery significantly more challenging.

Methods for Recovering Deleted Videos

Now, let’s explore the various methods you can employ to recover those lost videos.

1. Check the “Recently Deleted” Album

This is the first and easiest place to check. Within the Photos app, navigate to the Albums tab. Scroll down, and you’ll find the Recently Deleted album.

If your video is there, simply tap on it and select Recover. The video will then be restored to its original album in the Photos app.
If it’s not there, it means the 30-day grace period has expired, and you’ll need to explore other recovery options.

2. Restore from an iCloud Backup

iCloud backups are a lifesaver when it comes to data recovery. If you’ve been backing up your iPad to iCloud, there’s a good chance your deleted video is stored within a previous backup.

Here’s how to restore from an iCloud backup:

Erase your iPad: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings. This will completely wipe your iPad, so ensure you have a recent backup before proceeding.
Follow the setup assistant: Once the iPad restarts, follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup”: Select this option and sign in with your Apple ID.
Select the relevant backup: Choose the iCloud backup that you believe contains the deleted video. Ideally, choose the most recent backup before you deleted the video.
Wait for the restoration process to complete: This can take some time, depending on the size of the backup and your internet connection.
Check your Photos app: Once the restore is complete, check your Photos app to see if your deleted video has been recovered.

Important Considerations for iCloud Restore:

The entire backup will be restored: You can’t selectively restore individual videos from an iCloud backup. This means you’ll be overwriting your current iPad data with the data from the selected backup.
Ensure you have enough iCloud storage: If your iCloud storage is full, the backup process may not have completed successfully, making it difficult to recover your video.
Choose the correct backup: Selecting the wrong backup could lead to data loss or an incomplete restore.

3. Restore from an iTunes/Finder Backup (Mac)

If you regularly backed up your iPad to your computer using iTunes (or Finder on newer macOS versions), you can restore your device from one of those backups.

Here’s the process:

Connect your iPad to your computer: Use a USB cable to connect your iPad to the computer you used to create the backup.
Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later): If using macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. In Finder, your iPad should appear in the sidebar under “Locations.”
Select your iPad: In iTunes, select your iPad icon in the top left corner. In Finder, select your iPad in the sidebar.
Click “Restore Backup”: In iTunes, click “Restore Backup.” In Finder, click “Restore iPad.”
Choose the relevant backup: Select the backup you want to restore from the dropdown menu. Again, choose the backup that you believe contains the deleted video.
Click “Restore”: Enter your encryption password if prompted.
Wait for the restoration process to complete: This process can also take a while, depending on the size of the backup.
Check your Photos app: Once the restore is complete, check your Photos app to see if your deleted video has been recovered.

Important Considerations for iTunes/Finder Restore:

Similar to iCloud, it’s an all-or-nothing restore: You can’t selectively restore individual videos.
Ensure you have enough free space on your computer: The restoration process requires sufficient free space on your computer’s hard drive.
Use the correct computer: You must use the same computer that was used to create the backup.

4. Using Data Recovery Software

If neither of the above methods works, you can consider using data recovery software specifically designed for iOS devices. These programs scan your iPad’s internal storage for deleted files and attempt to recover them.

Important Caveats:

Success is not guaranteed: Data recovery software isn’t always successful, especially if the deleted video has been overwritten by new data.
Be cautious when choosing software: Not all data recovery software is created equal. Some programs may be unreliable or even contain malware. Choose reputable software from a trusted source. Examples include, but aren’t limited to, Wondershare Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, or iMobie PhoneRescue.
Consider the cost: Data recovery software often requires a paid license.

5. Prevention is Better than Cure

Ultimately, the best way to avoid the stress of recovering deleted videos is to implement a robust backup strategy.

Enable iCloud Backup: Ensure that iCloud Backup is enabled on your iPad. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and toggle the switch to on.
Regularly back up to iTunes/Finder: Back up your iPad to your computer regularly, especially before making significant changes to your device, such as installing software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long do deleted videos stay in the “Recently Deleted” album?

Videos stay in the “Recently Deleted” album for 30 days. After that, they are permanently deleted.

2. Can I recover a video after 30 days if it’s not in the “Recently Deleted” album?

It’s possible, but significantly more difficult. Your best bet is to restore from an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup. If those backups don’t contain the video, data recovery software might be your last resort, but success isn’t guaranteed.

3. Does resetting my iPad erase the “Recently Deleted” album?

Yes, resetting your iPad will erase all data, including the contents of the “Recently Deleted” album.

4. Will updating my iPad delete my videos?

Updating your iPad shouldn’t delete your videos, but it’s always a good idea to back up your device before installing any updates, just in case something goes wrong.

5. Can I recover videos deleted from third-party apps like TikTok or Instagram?

If the video was saved to your iPad’s Photos app before being deleted from the third-party app, the methods described above may work. However, if the video was only ever stored within the third-party app, you’ll need to consult the app’s help documentation or contact the app’s support team for recovery options.

6. Is data recovery software safe to use?

Some data recovery software is safe and effective, while others may be unreliable or contain malware. Do thorough research and choose reputable software from a trusted source.

7. How much does data recovery software cost?

The cost of data recovery software varies depending on the program and the features it offers. Some programs offer a free trial, while others require a paid license.

8. Can Apple help me recover deleted videos?

Apple doesn’t offer a dedicated data recovery service. They will likely direct you to the same methods described in this guide: checking the Recently Deleted album, restoring from a backup, or using third-party data recovery software.

9. Does jailbreaking my iPad help with data recovery?

Jailbreaking your iPad voids your warranty and can make data recovery more complex, not simpler. It’s generally not recommended as a data recovery method.

10. Can I recover videos deleted from iCloud Drive?

If you deleted the video from iCloud Drive, check the “Recently Deleted” folder in iCloud Drive. You can access iCloud Drive through the Files app on your iPad or through the iCloud website.

11. How do I prevent videos from being accidentally deleted in the first place?

Be careful when deleting files. Double-check before confirming the deletion. Consider using an external storage device for important videos, creating a second copy.

12. Why do I have limited storage on my iPad in the first place?

iPads have different storage capacities depending on the model. Over time, apps, photos, videos, and other files accumulate, filling up the available storage. Consider deleting unnecessary files, offloading unused apps, or upgrading to a device with more storage space. You can also utilize cloud storage services to free up space on your device.