Free iPhone File Recovery: Best Tools, Apps, and Software to Recover Deleted Files on iPhone

Losing important files on your iPhone can be stressful, especially when those files include precious photos, videos, messages, or documents. Mistakes happen — a wrong swipe, a failed iOS update, or a sync error can wipe out data instantly. Fortunately, you don't always need professional services to restore your files. With the right free iPhone file recovery software, you can often bring back deleted data in just a few minutes.

In this guide, we'll explore the best free iPhone file recovery tools and apps in 2025, how they work, and how far their free versions can actually go. Whether you want a simple app to recover deleted photos or a powerful tool that scans deep into your device, you'll find the right solution here.

Top Free iPhone File Recovery Software & Apps in 2025

Below is a detailed comparison of the leading iPhone file recovery tools in 2025 — evaluating their core capabilities including backup-free recovery, selective file restoration, preview functionality, supported file types, and deep-scan technology. This side-by-side analysis helps you understand which tool delivers the best results for recovering deleted photos, videos, messages, and other important data from your iPhone.

Free iPhone File Recovery Software Comparison

Tenorshare UltData

Disk Drill

EaseUS MobiSaver

No Backup Required

✅ Yes

⚠️ Limited

❌ No

Selective File Recovery

✅ Choose Specific Files

⚠️ Partial Support

⚠️ Partial Support

Preview Before Recovery

✅ Full Preview

✅ Full Preview

⚠️ Limited Preview

Supported File Types

✅ 35+ Types

⚠️ 25+ Types

⚠️ 20+ Types

Deep Scan Capability

✅ Advanced

⚠️ Standard

⚠️ Basic

Recovery Success Rate

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High

⭐⭐⭐⭐ High

⭐⭐⭐ Medium

Ease of Use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐

Overall Rating

★★★★★

★★★★☆

★★★☆☆

The comparison above highlights key differences among iPhone file recovery tools. Tenorshare UltData stands out with backup-free recovery, selective restoration, and support for 35+ file types including photos, videos, messages, and documents. Its advanced deep-scan technology and highest success rate make it the most reliable solution for recovering files lost through accidental deletion, iOS updates, or system crashes.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Recover Deleted Files on iPhone

Now that you know your options, let's walk through how to actually perform file recovery.

How to Recover Deleted Files on iPhone with Free Software

Most iPhone file recovery software works in a similar way:

• Download a recovery tool.
UltData - No.1 iPhone File Recovery
Recover deleted photos, videos, messages, and more from iPhone with or without backup — fast, safe, and easy.


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• Connect your iPhone via USB.
• Launch the tool and choose Recover from iOS Device.
• Pick the file types you want to restore: photos, videos, messages, etc.
• Run a deep scan to detect deleted files.
• Preview recoverable data.
• Use the free limits to restore what you can.

Many tools offer free preview only — but this is still extremely useful, because you can confirm your files are recoverable before paying anything.

Step-by-Step: Using iPhone File Recovery Tool Without Backup

If you don't have an iCloud or iTunes backup, you can still try software-based recovery. Here's how:

• Stop using your iPhone immediately (to avoid data being overwritten).Install a recovery tool like Tenorshare UltData
  

  
  .

• Connect your device → choose Recover from iPhone/iPad Data Recovery.

• Select your desired file types.Start scanning — the tool will search your internal storage.

• Preview detected files.

This method works in situations where built-in Apple methods fail.

Why Backup Isn't Always Enough — And Why Recovery Tools Matter

Even if you back up regularly, backups don't guarantee recovery. Here's why:

• iCloud deletes items from all devices if sync is enabled.
• iCloud Photos only keeps deleted items for 30 days.
• iTunes/Finder restores everything, not individual files.
• Some files may not have been included in your most recent backup.

That's why having a recovery app as a second layer of safety is so important — it scans directly from the device, not just backup files.

Why Tenorshare UltData Stands Out as the Preferred Solution

Among all the free iPhone file recovery software we tested in 2025, Tenorshare UltData consistently outperformed competitors — especially in success rate, ease of use, and deep-scan capability.

Here's why professionals and users prefer it.

Key Features of Tenorshare UltData for Efficient iPhone File Recovery

Features of Tenorshare UltData:

• Recovers data with or without backup
• Works for photos, videos, WhatsApp, messages, contacts, and more
• Supports latest iOS versions & all iPhone models
• Very high recovery success rate
• Fast scan speeds
• Clean, simple interface
• Free scan + preview before purchase

How UltData Stands Out from Other Free iPhone File Recovery Tools

Compared with other tools:

• More powerful deep scan (others often detect less data)
• Much higher success rates — especially for older deleted files
• Better free preview capability
• No technical skills required
• Recovers many more file types

In short, if you're looking for the best chance of recovery, UltData is the most reliable choice.

UltData - No.1 iPhone File Recovery

Recover deleted photos, videos, messages, and more from iPhone with or without backup — fast, safe, and easy.

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Available for:

Comparison & Final Thoughts on Free iPhone File Recovery Tools

Recovering files on your iPhone doesn't need to be complicated. You have several options:

Try Apple's built-in methods first

• Recently Deleted
• iCloud.com restore
• iTunes/Finder restore

If these fail, use free iPhone file recovery software

They offer scanning, preview, and limited recovery.

For deeper, no-backup recovery

Tenorshare UltData offers the strongest success rate and most intuitive experience.

With quick action and the right tool, you can often restore your deleted files — even if they seem permanently gone.