iPhone Tips

How to Recover Unsaved Word Documents on iPad?

by Sophie Green   Updated on 2024-11-12 / Update for  iPhone Tips

If you’ve lost files due to accidental deletion, hardware issues, or iOS upgrades, for those with iCloud or iTunes backups, restoring from these can help recover the lost document. But if you don’t have a backup, don’t worry—if you enabled Word’s Autosave feature, there’s still a chance to recover unsaved documents. Learning how to recover unsaved Word documents on iPad without backup is achievable with a few methods, whether files were saved, unsaved, or deleted.

Part 1: Why Did Losing Unsaved Word Document Happen?

Losing an unsaved Word document on your iPad can happen for several reasons. Understanding these can help you avoid data loss in the future:

  • App Crashes: Unexpected crashes in Microsoft Word or other apps can interrupt your work before you’ve had a chance to save it.
  • System Updates: iOS or app updates may interfere with open files, leading to unsaved data loss.
  • Accidental Exits: Closing the app by mistake or running out of battery can cause unsaved work to disappear.
  • Autosave Issues: While Word’s Autosave feature is helpful, it may not always capture recent changes, especially if Autosave wasn’t enabled.
  • Storage or Syncing Errors: Low storage or syncing issues with iCloud or other storage services can lead to unsaved files not being saved properly.

Part 2: How to Recover Unsaved Word Document on iPad

Here are some easy ways to help you restore your unsaved document on ipad.

Way 1: Recover Unsaved Word Documents from Document Recovery Software

Tenorshare UltData is a powerful data recovery tool that makes it easy to recover lost or unsaved files on your iPad, including Word documents. What's more, it can also recover 35+ file types including photos, videos, text messages, etc., and its usage is simple and user-friendly.

Why We Choose Tenorshare UltData?

  • Retrieve lost files even if you don’t have an iTunes or iCloud backup.
  • Works seamlessly with all iOS versions and iPad models.
  • View your recoverable files before restoring to ensure you’re retrieving the right document.

How to Recover Unsaved Word Document on iPad without Backup:

  • Free download and open Tenorshare UltData on your PC, choose "iPhone/iPad Data Recovery".

    recover data from ios devices - Ultdata-guide
  • For your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to be recognized, the USB cable must be inserted into your PC or Mac. The app will automatically recognize your iOS device if connected and trusted.

    connect device to recover data with UltData
  • Then pick what you want to scan and recover, or select everything, and then press Scan to begin.

    start scan lost ios data with UltData
  • After choosing the files, you wish to recover, click Recover to begin the recovery process. If you opt to retrieve lost information on a PC.

    recover data to device - UltData guide

Way 2: Restore Unsaved Documents option from Word Program

If you want to recover lost word files directly in Word Program, following the steps as below, you will regain your unsaved word documents.

  • To get started, open your Word on your iPad.
  • Select "File" from the drop-down menu when selecting "Recover."
  • Find the missing Word document by searching through your computer's folders.
  • Once you've selected the file in the list, you may open it by clicking the Open button.

Way 3: Two Methods to Find Lost Word Documents on Word

The following are two common ways to find your lost Word documents easily.

Method 1: Retrieve Unsaved Word Documents from Recent Files.

  • Click the File Tab in the upper left corner of MS Word.
  • Select Recover Unsaved Documents from the drop-down list after clicking Manage Document.
  • In the dialogue box, look for your missing file.
  • Click the Save As option in the top banner to save the recovered Word document.

  •  retrieve unsaved word documents from recent files

Method 2: Recover Word Files from The Manage Versions Option.

  • Return to the file you were working on and open it.
  • Select File > Info from the File menu.
  • Select the file labeled "Manage Workbook" or "Manage Presentation" under Manage Workbook or Manage Presentation (when I closed without saving).
  • Select Restore from the menu bar at the top of the file to overwrite any previously saved versions.

    recover word files from manage versions

FAQ about Unsaved Word Document Recovery iPad

Q1:Will Word Documents Automatically Save on iPad?

Word for iPad automatically saves your work every time you make a change, no matter how little. Most of the time, your document will be saved automatically. Press the File button and then choose Print from Word on your iPad to print whatever you want.

Q2:What is the location of the stored documents on the iPad?

You may find locally stored files on My device under Locations. The On My iPad folder is where you may save files on your iPad.

Q3: How can I recover my iPad's erased data from iCloud?

Find and restore deleted files from iCloud Drive and iWork software.

  • File sharing using iCloud in iCloud drive on icloud.com, click recently deleted in the window's bottom-right corner.
  • You can choose to recover all or specific files and click Recover.

Conclusion

Word documents may be lost for a variety of reasons. Despite the importance of safeguarding your data, unexpected data loss might occur. Fortunately, if you end up losing your data, many options are available. You may feel confident in the solutions provided in this article since they are secure, reliable, and simple to use. A few simple actions are all it takes to recover a word document on an iPad.