8 Best iPhone Data Recovery Software

So, you lost something on your iPhone? Maybe a favorite photo, a message, or that contact you swore you saved. You searched “best iPhone data recovery software,” only to face a flood of apps claiming they’re the best. It’s a lot to sort through, and let’s be honest—not all of them deliver what they promise.

To save you time, we tested dozens of iPhone data recovery tools and compiled a list of secure and reliable options. We’ve got the lowdown on software you can trust to help you recover lost data without hassle or risk.

Is iPhone Recovery Software Safe to Use?

In general, yes, iPhone recovery software can be safe—but it all comes down to which app you use. Let’s be real: not every recovery tool out there is built with your security in mind. Downloading the first thing you find, especially from some sketchy site with pop-up ads that promise to fix every issue under the sun? That’s a hard pass. We’ve seen apps that even claim they can revive an iPhone after water damage, which should be a big red flag. Some tools won’t just fail at data recovery; they might put your device and privacy at serious risk.

And let’s talk about privacy for a second. A lot of people wonder if these tools collect data from their devices. The truth? It varies. Reliable apps usually keep your data secure, they handle it locally on your device and do not send anything to outside servers. On the other hand, some unverified apps can overstep and access info they don’t need—especially if they don’t have a clear privacy policy or let you control what they access.

So, how do you stay safe? Choose from our list. We only included recovery software that’s actually trustworthy. We didn’t just test them ourselves; we also combed through real user reviews to make sure each one has the street cred to back it up. These apps have solid privacy policies and no funny business, so you can recover your data without risking your peace of mind (or your photos).

Top 8 iPhone Recovery Software Ranked and Reviewed

So, after going through tons of options, we came up with 8 finalists for iPhone data recovery software on Mac. Many apps didn’t make the cut simply because they haven’t caught up with the latest iOS/MacOS update yet. For our top picks, we focused on tools that keep pace with Apple’s updates, work smoothly on macOS, and actually deliver on their recovery promises.

1. Disk Drill iPhone Data Recovery

ℹ️ Best for: We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Disk Drill for Mac to any Mac user who wants to recover lost data from their iPhone.[/sc]

Recovery speed: Average | Developer: Cleverfiles | iOS version support: iOS 5-18 | Requirements: macOS 10.11.6+

Overview:

Disk Drill for Mac is our favorite recovery software for iOS because it lets you recover lost data from three different locations and with minimal effort: the device’s internal storage, an iTunes backup, and an iCloud backup.

These three recovery methods work across a wide range of iOS versions, from iOS 5 up to iOS 18, and they support all kinds of data, including chat histories from popular iOS messengers like Viber, WeChat, Kik, WhatsApp, Line, and Skype, as well as voicemails and voice memos.

In our tests, Disk Drill was hands-down the fastest recovery tool we tried. As soon as you click “Search for Lost Data,” it instantly shows categories of files it found, like contacts, photos, notes, and messages, so you can go right into what matters. The preview feature was also quick and super responsive, so we could check out recoverable files without any lag.

If you look at Disk Drill’s recovery performance, speed, intuitive interface, wide range of supported data types, and compatibility with nearly all iOS devices and versions, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular choices for iPhone data recovery.

Customer reviews:

It’s fair to say that users are big fans of Disk Drill for Mac, often calling it a lifesaver when other iOS data recovery software falls short. The few negative reviews out there usually mention the limitations of the free version, which can’t actually recover lost files—only preview them.

“Disk Drill, amazing data recovery software.

I just want to say that Disk Drill Pro is an amazing data recovery software. It has saved me so many times! I have used it to recover data from my macbook, SD cards and even my iphone. It’s never let me down yet.”

Dan Lavie

2. iMobie PhoneRescue

Recovery speed: Slow | Developer: iMobie | iOS version support: iOS 5-18 | Requirements: Mac OS X 10.8+

Overview:

iMobie PhoneRescue is a modern iOS data recovery app with an intuitive interface that lets you recover lost files in just three simple steps. First, choose your recovery mode, scan your device, and finally, select the files you want to recover and complete the process.

What we loved about iMobie PhoneRescue is that it packs a bunch of extra tools for all kinds of iOS issues—everything from the dreaded white/blue/black screen of death to freezes and devices stuck in Recovery or DFU Mode.

However, our primary goal was on data recovery, and here’s where we noticed it wasn’t quite as fast as some of the other apps we tested. While it’s very effective, speed isn’t its strongest suit compared to the previous contender.

Customer reviews:

Generally, iMobie PhoneRescue users are happy with the app’s performance and frequently praise its customer support for being helpful and knowledgeable. Some older reviews noted missing support for the latest iOS version, but those concerns have since been addressed.

Purchased the software PhoneRescue (for iOS) a while back as I saw it was the highest rated and most reliable data recovery software on the internet.

Thankfully I have not had to use it for myself, but I have had to use it for my friend’s Dad’s iPhone (when it was stuck on a frozen Apple logo) after a software update, and it worked whilst still retaining the data!

When selling my old Mac and purchasing a new one, I had to contact iMobie support to remove the licence from my old one so that I could activate it again on my new one and the response was given within a few hours, no hassle.

Thanks again!

Benjamin T.

3. dr.fone by Wondershare

Recovery speed: Average | Developer: Wondershare | iOS version support: iOS 18 and older | Requirements: macOS 10.8 or later

Overview:

The developer behind dr.fone, Wondershare, has a solid track record with multiple recovery apps, so it’s no surprise that dr.fone has become a popular choice for iPhone data recovery.

With dr.fone you can recover photos, videos, contacts, messages, notes, call logs, and other lost data from any iOS device, including the latest iPhone, iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPod Touch.

The application features a familiar three-step data recovery process that supports the recovery from local iPhone storage, iTunes backup files, and iCloud. When you reach the last recovery step, you can preview all files to verify their recoverability.

In our tests, dr.fone performed well. While it wasn’t the fastest, it was reliable and thorough. Like PhoneRescue, dr.fone includes tools to fix common iOS issues, such as devices stuck in Recovery Mode or endless boot loops—a useful feature when your device needs more than data recovery.

Customer reviews:

Great software!They got my iPhone back!My iPhone has inexplicably become a black screen and unusable.But then I found their website.I bought it with trepidation, because I had no other way, I didn’t want to buy an iPhone again!At first, I didn’t succeed because my data was not backed up, but I chose the iPhone between the data and the iPhone.But fortunately, they lived up to my expectations.Although my data was gone, I got my iPhone back without a hitch.Their customers have been helping me solve problems, and I’m really happy.If you have a problem with the iPhone not working properly, then I recommend you to use their products, and I am the beneficiary of their products.

si springer

4. Leawo iOS Data Recovery

Recovery speed: Slow | Developer: Leawo | iOS version support: iOS 18 and older | Requirements: macOS 10.13+

Overview:

Leawo iOS Data Recovery may not be as popular as some of the other applications listed in this article, but that’s not a good reason to ignore it. With support for both iOS devices and iTunes backups, Leawo makes the recovery process straightforward.

It supports 12 different file types when recovering from iTunes backups, like Camera Roll, Photo Stream, Contacts, Messages, and Safari Bookmarks. For direct recovery from an iOS device, it covers core data types like contacts, messages, call history, and notes.

Leawo performed reliably for standard recovery tasks, and it now supports the latest iOS 18 devices, so it’s up-to-date with Apple’s newest releases. It worked best for recent data loss—like deleted messages or recently removed photos—but struggled a bit with more complex recovery cases or older deleted files. While the interface is easy to navigate, it does feel a bit outdated compared to other tools.

Customer reviews:

Leawo iOS Data Recovery has earned loyal fans who count on it for dependable data recovery and stellar customer support. As one user put it:

Since discovering this amazing software, I have never looked back. It is the ultimate tool for all your burning, editing and backups. I cannot praise the support enough for their valued and super-fast response to any issue that may arise. In my case I had to have a new SSD installed which meant I lost my Leawo program. The amazing support team had me up and running in less than twelve hours. I highly recommend them
Trevor Douglas
Australia

Trevor Douglas

5. Stellar iPhone Data Recovery

Recovery speed: Fast | Developer: Stellar | iOS version support: iOS 18 – 12, and below | Requirements: Mac OS X 10.8 and above

Overview:

Stellar is a huge name in the data recovery industry, and the Stellar iPhone Data Recovery makes it clear why. The software can quickly and easily recover deleted or missing data from iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and it supports even the latest version of iOS.

When Apple releases a new version of its mobile OS, Stellar developers are always quick to release an update and give their users one more reason to stick with Stellar iPhone Data Recovery.

Beyond standard recovery, the Toolkit version of Stellar iPhone Data Recovery includes some impressive extra features:

• The Toolkit version can fix a range of iOS problems on both iPhones and iPads. It handles issues like black screens, iOS crashes, devices stuck on the Apple logo or in reboot loops, iTunes errors, and the white screen of death.
• This version also includes a “Remove Apple ID” feature, which is great for users who’ve forgotten their Apple ID password and can’t access their device. It lets you remove the configured Apple ID without the password, which allows you to create a new Apple account or reset your ID to regain access.

Customer reviews:

The users of Stellar iPhone Data Recovery think the recovery software is simply stellar (pun definitely intended). They praise its customer support service for being friendly and helpful, which is always a good sign because it says a lot about the developer’s determination to keep its customers satisfied.

The support service it very friendly and provides very good information, they were willing to support me because with the software I could not recover my excel file.

Luis

6. Aiseesoft Fonelab iPhone Data Recovery

Recovery speed: Fast | Developer: Aiseesoft | iOS version support: iOS 18 | Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher

Overview:

This iPhone data recovery software application does a lot of things right and not many wrong. For starters, it supports the latest version of iOS 18 and all Macs running Mac OS X 10.7 or higher. You can use it to retrieve up to 19 kinds of data from your iOS device, iTunes backup files, or iCloud.

The main attraction, however, is its data recovery speed. Aiseesoft Fonelab iPhone Data Recovery claims to have the fastest scanning speed of all iPhone recovery tools, and from what we’ve seen, that claim holds up.

Of course, even the fastest tool takes time when scanning a fully loaded 512 GB iPhone compared to a 32 GB device—so keep storage size in mind when you set expectations. But if you look for a quick, efficient recovery, Aiseesoft Fonelab definitely lives up to its promise.

Customer reviews:

Aiseesoft Fonelab iPhone Data Recovery users are always eager to point out how quickly the tool scan even newer iPhones with as much as 512 GB of storage space, but that’s certainly not the only positive thing they have to say about it.

I have been using Aiseesoft products and trusted this brand for years. What impressed me most is its FoneLab application which deals with all embarrassment situations that cause iPhone files get lost. I can get all my lost files back finally.

Nova

7. iMyFone D-Back

Recovery speed: Fast | Developer: iMyFone | iOS version support: iOS 9 to iOS 18 | Requirements: macOS 10.9 and later

Overview:

iMyFone D-Back is a solid pick for iPhone data recovery, that delivers a high success rate and plenty of recovery options. It supports data recovery directly from iOS devices, as well as from iTunes, iCloud, and even third-party backups, so you’ve got flexibility for different recovery needs. With support for over 18 data types—including photos, messages, and WhatsApp chats—iMyFone D-Back can handle almost any recovery situation.

When you first open iMyFone D-Back, it gives you a straightforward screen that lets you choose the specific issue. As shown in the image, the options are laid out clearly, which makes it very easy to pick what you need. Whether you accidentally deleted data, need to recover from a device reset, or are dealing with a locked device or a recovery mode loop, D-Back guides you right from the start. This setup keeps things simple, even if you’re not super tech-savvy.

Just like most other iPhone data recovery software tools, iMyFone D-Back is free for previewing only, but the starting price of the full version isn’t terribly expensive. What’s more, there’s a lifetime license for those who need it long-term.

Customer reviews:

User reviews generally highlight the software’s ease of use and efficient recovery capabilities. While some note delays in customer support, the overall sentiment leans positively towards the software’s performance and reliability.

“I had lost the photos because the old phone had not synchronized with the new one and I had no backup. The IMYFONE program has recovered them all! Thank you! Thanks also to Mr. Echo Zhou who kindly made his expertise available to me. In fact, I had had difficulty recovering the data due to a block placed by the antivirus.
Thank you very much.”

Anna Santini

8. Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery Free

Recovery speed: Slow | Developer: Gihosoft | iOS version support: iOS 13 and older | Requirements: macOS 10.11.6+

Overview:

The free version of Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery stands out as one of only a few free iPhone data recovery no trial applications out there. Whereas most other similar solutions can only preview recoverable files, Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery Free can recover photos and videos, message attachments, notes, calendars, reminders, voicemail, voice memos, Safari bookmarks, and plenty of other data.

The paid version, called iPhone Data Recovery Pro, unlocked unlimited recovery of contacts, call logs, messages, and WhatsApp/Viber chat history. It also comes with free lifetime technical support and service.

Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery is a great option if you need to recover data from older devices, like those running iOS 13 or earlier, or models like the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, XS, XS Max, XR, and older. In fact, it might be one of the last recovery tools still compatible with these devices, It’s a valuable choice for users who haven’t upgraded to the latest hardware.

Customer reviews:

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that the users of Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery Free love the fact that they can use the software to recover lost iPhone data without paying.

It is an excellent option for restoring lost files such as photos and backup copies on iOS devices, such as the iPad, it is easy to use and access to restore, it can be directly from the computer connected through USB to the computer or with the help of the iCloud user. The free version has some limitations for the recovery of the messaging and some files, however, it is one of the most complete restoration programs

Vanessa E

Our Favorite iPhone Tools for Mac

If we had to pick one app as the ultimate iPhone recovery tool, it’d be Disk Drill, hands down. Not only is it fast and reliable for all sorts of data recovery—from lost photos to that mysteriously missing contact list—but it’s also impressively quick with updates. So, if you need a tool that’ll keep up with Apple’s never-ending stream of new iPhone models and macOS versions, Disk Drill has you covered for the long haul. Think of it as the dependable friend who shows up with the right gear every time Apple changes the rules.

But, hey, we get it—different needs call for different tools. If you are in search of an iPhone recovery app that’s more of a multitasker, iMobie PhoneRescue and dr.fone by Wondershare bring plenty to the table. Both apps tackle data recovery and throw in iOS repair features. They’re perfect if you want an iPhone recovery tool that can also do some serious system troubleshooting.

And for those with older iPhones or on a budget, Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery Free is a great pick that gets the basics done without the premium price tag. Meanwhile, Aiseesoft Fonelab shines if you’re all about speed. No matter what your recovery needs are, there’s a tool here ready to step up and keep your iPhone data safe and sound.