7 Best iPad Data Recovery Software to Use in 2024/2025

Are you in search of the best software to recover data from your iPad but aren’t sure which one to go with? Or maybe you’ve already tried one and need a better option? We’ve put the top recovery tools to the test and found the ones that actually work. Whether it’s lost photos, contacts, or notes, these iPad recovery software options make it easy to get your data back—without the hassle.

Our Approach to Testing iPad Data Recovery Software

To hunt down the best iPad recovery software, our team geared up with every gadget we could get our hands on. We tried out the latest iPads—yes, even the fancy iPad Pro (7th gen), the sleek iPad Air (6th gen), and the pint-sized iPad Mini 6—all running on iOS 18. We paired them with the MacBook Pro from 2022 and the new MacBook Air (2024), both updated to the latest macOS versions, Sonoma and Sequoia. Compatibility? Check.

Have we thought about older models? Absolutely. We threw some iPad 5th gens into the mix to see how well each iPad recovery software could handle different devices and iOS versions. Because if a tool can’t work across the board, it’s just not cutting it.

Now, you might ask, “What did you guys delete?” We trashed everything from photos/videos to contacts, messages, documents, and app data. We simulated accidental deletions, system crashes, even update fails. We wanted to know—when the chips are down, which data recovery software for iPad actually brings back the goods?

And hey, we know that not everyone dreams of a tech manual. So we made sure to choose tools with straightforward, user-friendly designs. If an app bombarded us with jargon or looked like it was designed in 1995, we said “Next.” The best iPad restore software should make you feel like a recovery pro, not leave you wondering if you need a computer science degree.

Oh, and let’s talk about the need to stay up to speed. We skipped most apps that haven’t been updated in forever and focused on tools that keep up with iOS 18 and the latest macOS versions. Trust us, if an app doesn’t support Sonoma or Sequoia, it’s not worth your time. However, we did include one app that hasn’t seen an update in a while, mainly for those with older devices—but overall, we prioritized software that stays current.

With years of recovery experience under our belts, we’ve seen how much a tool’s compatibility with the latest systems can make or break your data recovery. Our picks for the best iPad recovery software hit the mark for both power and simplicity. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just trying to recover those family photos, these tools will get you back on track—no sweat.

7 Best iPad Recovery Software

Now, let’s take a look at the seven apps that made the cut! Each app here is a solid iPad recovery tool with unique strengths, tested and proven by our team. We’ll present them in order of our evaluation—so the closer to the top, the better we think the app is.

1. Disk Drill iPad Data Recovery

🔎 Overview: Disk Drill is one of the top choices for iPad recovery software, thanks to its powerful data recovery capabilities. Created by CleverFiles, this software has something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or more tech-savvy. With support for a wide range of file types and a straightforward design, Disk Drill makes recovering lost data on iPads feel simple and stress-free.

Key Features:

• Works with external drives, memory sticks, iPadOS devices, iPhones, and more.
• Clean, streamlined interface for easy navigation.
• Offers both Quick Scan and Deep Scan options.
• Can recover data directly from an iPad’s internal memory or from iCloud and iTunes backups.
• Can retrieve commonly stored files on iPads, including Camera Roll photos (JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF), videos (MP4, MOV), contacts (VCF), voice memos (M4A, MP3, AAC), and messages and chats (CSV, HTML).

✅ Final verdict: Disk Drill tops our list for iPad recovery software because it hits all the marks—effective recovery, ease of use, and a range of useful features. What set it apart for us was how well it balanced powerful recovery with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that anyone can navigate. In our tests, Disk Drill easily recovered everything from photos to app data. Plus, it stays fully compatible with the latest iOS and macOS versions.

2. iMobie PhoneRescue

🔎 Overview: iMobie PhoneRescue is a versatile iPad recovery software that’s all about helping users retrieve their lost files quickly and easily. Designed with simplicity in mind, it aims to assist users with a variety of data-lost situations, including messages, contacts, photos, and more, from their iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The software is known for its intuitive layout and fast data recovery process.

Key Features:

• Capable of restoring various data types like messages, contacts, photos, music, and videos.
• Supports a range of iPadOS devices, including iPad Air, Pro and Mini touches.
• PhoneRescue includes options to recover data from iCloud or iTunes backups.

✅ Final verdict: iMobie PhoneRescue landed the number 2 spot on our list of iPad recovery software for all the right reasons. Like Disk Drill, it works across a wide range of Apple devices, including various iPad models (from the iPad Mini to the iPad Pro) as well as iPhones and iPods. What we liked most? Its simplicity. PhoneRescue makes data recovery easy, even if it’s your first time. With selective recovery and compatibility with iCloud and iTunes backups, it offers flexibility without the hassle. While the free version is very limited, the paid version delivers real value for anyone who needs a reliable, no-fuss way to recover lost data from iPad.

3. Wondershare Dr.Fone

🔎 Overview: Wondershare Dr.Fone is a versatile toolkit offering a range of phone management and data recovery solutions for both iOS and Android devices. It includes tools for data recovery, screen unlock, system repair, and more. The software is compatible with the latest macOS/iOS and is designed to cater to a variety of smartphone management needs.

Key Features:

• High success rate in retrieving lost data from iPadOS.
• Capable of bypassing various types of screen locks on iOS and Android devices.
• Addresses a wide range of system issues for iOS and Android.
• Simplifies data transfer between devices, across different operating systems.

✅ Final verdict: At number three, Wondershare Dr.Fone is a solid choice if you’re juggling multiple devices—maybe an iPad, iPhone, and an Android. Dr.Fone’s flexibility across platforms makes it super handy for anyone with a mix of gadgets. We liked that it does more than just recover lost data; it also offers system repair and backup features. With selective recovery and support for a wide range of file types, it covers just about any data loss situation. What we didn’t like, though, is its speed—it doesn’t quite compete with the two previous apps in that department. Still, if you’re looking for an all-in-one data solution across devices, Dr.Fone’s extra features make it a strong pick.

4. Tenorshare UltData

🔎 Overview: Tenorshare UltData for iOS is a well-rounded iPad recovery tool with multiple features. It offers data recovery directly from an iPad or from backup files like iCloud or iTunes. While its user interface isn’t anything flashy, Tenorshare UltData has some extra tools that give it an edge, it can help you get out of the Recovery Mode loop and repair iOS issues.

Key Features:

• Users can choose specific files to recover, whether directly from the iPad or from backup sources like iCloud and iTunes.
• Can help unfreeze an iPad stuck in Recovery Mode.
• Features a separate scan option for retrieving data from apps like LINE, Kik, and WhatsApp.

✅ Final verdict: Tenorshare UltData for iOS holds its own at number four with a good mix of recovery options and handy repair features. It’s a solid pick for anyone with multiple devices who might need extras like Recovery Mode fixes or iOS repairs. While its recovery performance and interface are a bit simpler compared to our top picks, it offers flexibility with options to recover files straight from an iPad or from iCloud and iTunes backups. Given its higher price and average speed, it’s best for users who need those extra repair tools. Overall, Tenorshare UltData gets the job done, but it lacks the speed and polish of the higher-ranked apps on our list.

5. Syncios iOS Data Recovery

🔎 Overview: Syncios iOS Data Recovery is a simple, no-frills iPad recovery tool with a clean, easy-to-use interface and basic recovery features. It skips the extra stuff and provides instead straightforward recovery for iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices. It’s designed to handle the basics and get your files back without any hassle.

Key Features:

• Allows recovery directly from the device or through iTunes backups.
• Supports a wide array of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models.
• Recovers key file types like photos, contacts, messages, videos, and app data.

✅ Final verdict: Syncios iOS Data Recovery is one of the simplest apps on our list, but it’s a solid pick if you’re after an affordable option for iPad data recovery. It sticks to the basics. It doesn’t pack advanced features like system repair tools or lightning-fast scans, but for basic recovery tasks, it does the job. If you just need to get your files back, Syncios is a straightforward tool that gives you exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.

6. Leawo iOS Data Recovery

🔎 Overview: Leawo iOS Data Recovery is a straightforward iPad recovery tool focused on core recovery features for iOS devices. It’s compatible with a wide range of iOS devices, including iPads, iPhones, and iPods, and supports older iOS versions, a good choice for users with both newer and older devices. Leawo doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but it offers reliable, basic recovery for common file types.

Key Features:

• Direct recovery from iPadOS devices, as well as data retrieval from iTunes and iCloud backups.
• Supports a wide range of iPads.

✅ Final verdict: Like Syncios iOS Data Recovery, Leawo iOS Data Recovery is a straightforward app that sticks to the basics. It’s a simple iPad recovery tool for core file recovery without any extras. It works with both new and older iOS devices, so it’s a solid choice if you have legacy tech. While it doesn’t offer advanced features or the fastest scans, it reliably covers most recovery needs. The interface feels a bit outdated compared to other apps, but it’s still easy to use. If you’re after just the basics, Leawo gets the job done.

7. Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery

🔎 Overview: Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery is a simple iPad recovery tool for basic data recovery needs. It supports iPads, iPhones, and iPods, and lets users recover over 12 types of files. With options to recover directly from the device or through iTunes and iCloud backups, Gihosoft offers flexibility for different recovery situations.

Key Features:

• Recovers 12+ file types, like contacts, messages, photos, videos, and app data from WhatsApp and Viber.
• Allows recovery from the device itself or from iCloud and iTunes backups.
• Works for data lost due to iOS upgrades, jailbreaks, accidental deletion.

✅ Final verdict: Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery hasn’t seen an update in a while, so it’s not a tool we’d recommend for everyone. But if you have older devices—like iOS 13/iPadOS or models such as the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, XS, XS Max, or XR—it might be worth a look. We considered its recovery performance and ultimately included it at the end of our list. It handles basic recovery well, with options for device, iCloud, and iTunes recovery, but with its outdated interface and support, it’s not ideal for newer devices. For straightforward recovery on older models, though, Gihosoft can be a great choice.

iPad Data Recovery Software Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at each data recovery software for iPad on our list. This chart covers the basics—recovery speed, ease of use, price, free version availability, plus the main pros and cons of each option.

So? What iPad Recovery Tool is The Best?

Like we mentioned at the beginning, the closer an app is to the top, the more we liked it—and, yes, Disk Drill takes the crown here. Why? Well, this tool practically acted like it was on a mission to rescue every single lost byte, recovering more data than any other app we tested. It handled the latest iPads and older models without breaking a sweat, and with its fast recovery and intuitive interface, it can make anyone feel like a data recovery pro.

On top of that, Disk Drill stays current with regular updates, so it’s already good to go with iOS 18 and macOS 15. In a sea of recovery tools, Disk Drill is leading the way. With speed, reliability, and constant updates, Disk Drill is the clear MVP for iPad data recovery.

If Disk Drill isn’t quite what you’re after, iMobie PhoneRescue and Wondershare Dr.Fone are strong alternatives. Both support the latest devices and keep things easy to use. PhoneRescue offers a straightforward recovery process, while Dr.Fone stands out with a clean design and reliable results.