How to Retrieve Deleted Videos on iPhone

Accidentally deleting a video can be frustrating. Luckily, iPhones offer several methods to recover lost content. These methods vary depending on your backup habits and the iOS version. We’ll explore these methods, so you can decide which fits your situation best.

Check the Recently Deleted Album

iPhones automatically move deleted videos to the Recently Deleted album. Here, they stay for 30 days before they’re permanently erased. To check:

• Open the Photos app.
• Tap on Albums.
• Scroll to find Recently Deleted under the Utilities section.
• Open it, browse the items, and select the video you need.
• Tap Recover to restore the video to your Camera Roll.

This is the simplest way to retrieve your videos if you catch the deletion early enough.

Restore from iCloud Backup

If the Recently Deleted album doesn’t contain your video, an iCloud backup might. This method restores your device to a previous state.

• Check that an iCloud backup exists. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
• Review the date of the last backup.
• If a suitable backup is available, reset your iPhone:
  Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
• Follow the setup assistant. Choose to restore from your iCloud backup.

This method rolls back your entire device to a previous time, meaning all data since the backup will be lost. Proceed carefully and weigh what you might lose against regaining the video.

Use iTunes or Finder Backup

For those who use iTunes or Finder for backups, you can restore your device from a previous backup on your computer.

• Connect your iPhone to the computer and open iTunes or Finder.
• Select your device when it appears.
• Click Restore Backup.
• Choose an appropriate backup that potentially contains your deleted video.
• Click Restore and wait for the process to complete.

Like restoring from iCloud, this method will revert your entire device to the backup date. Make sure the backup contains the video you want to restore.

Try a Third-Party Data Recovery Tool

Third-party apps can be useful for recovering deleted videos, especially those permanently deleted from the Recently Deleted album. These apps can scan your device and recover lost files. Popular options include:

• Dr.Fone
• EaseUS MobiSaver
• PhoneRescue

No app can guarantee 100% recovery, and they often aren’t free. Be sure to follow reviews and instructions carefully to avoid malware or issues with retrieval.

Troubleshoot With File Manager Apps

Some users find success using file manager apps. These apps can access the iOS file system more deeply than the native Photos app. Though not all apps are equally effective, they might offer alternative retrieval methods:

• iMazing
• AnyTrans

These tools may help when standard to methods fail, providing another chance to access and recover lost data.

Maintain Good Backup Habits

Prevention remains better than cure. Regularly backup your iPhone to avoid future data loss:

• Enable automatic iCloud backups under Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
• Regularly connect your iPhone to iTunes or Finder and perform a manual backup.
• Consider using additional cloud storage services such as Google Photos or Dropbox for important videos.

Keeping backups up to date makes recovery easier and minimizes the data you might lose if deletion occurs.

Seek Professional Help

If all else fails, professional data recovery services can be a final resort. They often have special equipment and expertise, offering a better chance of data retrieval. However, this service can be costly, so consider it only for videos of high importance.

Contact Apple Support before engaging with third-party specialists to explore all the options available through Apple.

The steps above offer various ways to retrieve lost videos on your iPhone. Depending on your situation, one or more of these might work to recover your memories.