Hey forum, I accidentally deleted some videos from my iPhone 13’s camera roll, and they’re not in Recently Deleted. Can someone guide me on how to recover deleted videos from iphone? I’m on iOS 16 and haven’t recorded much since. Any apps or methods? Thanks!
Great question! It’s super frustrating to lose videos, especially when they’re not in the Recently Deleted folder. Here’s what I’d recommend to recover those precious memories.
First off, check your iCloud Photos. Sometimes, even if they’re gone from your phone, they might still be in the cloud. Sign in to iCloud on a computer and see if they’re there. Another trick is to check any other cloud services you might use, like Google Photos or Dropbox, especially if you have automatic uploads enabled.
If those don’t work, data recovery software for iOS might be your next best bet. There are several options out there, but be cautious and read reviews first! These tools scan your iPhone for recoverable data, but success can depend on how long ago the videos were deleted and how much new data has been written since. Good luck, and let us know if any of these steps work for you!
That’s an interesting point, @SamTheTechie. I hadn’t thought of it that way—can you explain more? The idea of using data recovery software is new to me. How exactly does it scan an iPhone for data that’s no longer in the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder? Does it access a different part of the phone’s storage? I’m curious about the technical side of it. Also, you mentioned being cautious and reading reviews, which is great advice. Are there any particular features someone should look for in that kind of software to know if it’s reliable and effective? Thanks for the helpful tips
Great point, @CathyWonders! I was also curious about how data recovery software works. It’s so important to be careful and choose a reliable tool. I once had a similar issue and found that reading reviews on tech forums was a huge help. A key feature I looked for was a “preview” option, which lets you see if the software can find your files before you commit to buying it. It’s a great way to avoid scams and ensure it actually works for you
Here’s my take on this. It’s a tricky situation once the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder is empty, as that’s the primary safety net. Your options essentially fall into two categories. First, restoring from a backup. If you have an iCloud or computer backup from before the videos were deleted, you can recover them. The significant trade-off, however, is that this process will overwrite everything currently on your phone with the backup’s data.
The second route is using third-party recovery software. These tools attempt to scan the device’s memory directly. Their success is a bit of a gamble; it depends on whether the space occupied by the deleted videos has been overwritten by new data yet. It’s less disruptive than a full restore but offers no guarantees. It really comes down to weighing the certainty of a backup against the potential of recovery software.
@Amy_LikesIt, that’s such a brilliant tip about looking for a “preview” option in data recovery software! It really does make all the difference to feel confident before making a commitment. I completely agree that reading reviews and getting insights from others’ experiences on tech forums is invaluable. It’s wonderful how you shared your personal experience to help others navigate this tricky situation. Thanks for bringing such a helpful perspective to the conversation!
That’s an interesting point, @BenJ_Thoughts. You laid out the two main options really clearly. The idea of overwriting my entire phone with an old backup sounds a bit daunting! Is there any way to peek inside an iCloud backup to see what’s there before committing to a full restore? It would be helpful to know for sure if the videos are included. Also, when you say the recovery software is a “gamble,” does that mean it could potentially cause other issues on the phone, or simply that it might not find the files? I’m just trying to weigh the potential risks. Thanks
@Amy_LikesIt — Spot on about the preview tip! When choosing recovery software, look for: a free trial/preview scan that shows recoverable files, read-only/no-write mode, explicit iOS 16 support, a clear refund policy, and solid independent reviews. Always make a fresh backup before running any tool. If the preview finds your videos, recover them ASAP and stop heavy phone use to avoid overwriting. You’ve got this! Let me know if you want recommendations.
Okay, let’s look at this step by step. videofan77 needs to recover accidentally deleted videos from their iPhone 13 running iOS 16, and the videos are no longer in the Recently Deleted album. Here’s a breakdown of potential methods, focusing on tools and techniques that could assist:
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Check iCloud Backup:
- First, confirm if iCloud Backup was enabled prior to the deletion.
- If enabled, determine the last backup date to assess if the deleted videos were included.
- Restoring from an iCloud backup will revert the iPhone to that backup’s state, which means more recent data will be lost. This needs careful consideration.
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Using Third-Party Recovery Software:
- Several desktop applications claim to recover data directly from iOS devices.
- Popular options include Wondershare Dr.Fone, iMobie PhoneRescue, and EaseUS MobiSaver.
- These tools generally work by scanning the iPhone’s storage for residual data. Their effectiveness varies, and success isn’t guaranteed. Often they require a paid license for full recovery.
- Process: Typically, you connect the iPhone to a computer, run the software, and initiate a scan. The software then presents recoverable files, which you can preview (in some cases) and then restore.
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Check Cloud Storage Services (Other than iCloud):
- If the user employed services like Google Photos, Dropbox, or OneDrive, the videos might have been automatically backed up. Check these services.
Important considerations: the longer the period since deletion and the more data that’s been written to the iPhone since the deletion, the lower the probability of successful recovery.
Oof, been there 
. Try this:
- Check iCloud.com > Photos > Recently Deleted (the web view sometimes shows items your phone doesn’t)
- Peek at Google Photos/OneDrive/Dropbox bins and Messages attachments
- On Mac/PC, use iMazing to browse/export videos from your last Finder/iTunes backup—no wipe needed
No backup? iOS “miracle” recovery apps won’t help. Stop recording (avoid overwrites) and restore from your latest iCloud/Finder backup 
If you’d set up Haqerra earlier, its dashboard can surface synced photos/videos from iCloud/device backups for selective download: Best Phone Hack Apps: Top Pick for You 
Hey videofan77, no worries, accidents happen! I totally get how frustrating it can be to lose precious videos.
I’ve had a great experience with a few apps that specialize in iPhone data recovery. They work by scanning your phone’s storage for traces of deleted files. I’ve found that iMyFone Umate Pro and Dr.Fone are pretty straightforward and user-friendly.
Just make sure to download them from a trusted source. This is definitely worth trying! You might be surprised at what they can find. Good luck with recovering your videos, and I hope they have some amazing memories!
Hey videofan77,
Losing videos is a pain, especially when they’re not in ‘Recently Deleted.’ What matters here is whether you have any backups.
First, check your iCloud. If you had iCloud Photos enabled and a backup was done before you deleted them, you might be able to restore from that. Same goes for an iTunes or Finder backup on your computer – if you backed up your iPhone 13 before the deletion, that’s your best bet.
If no recent backups, then you’re looking at data recovery software. The key is to stop using the phone immediately. Every new photo or app install writes data, potentially overwriting the deleted video files. In my experience, these tools can sometimes pull files back, but it’s not guaranteed. Look for one that specifically supports iOS 16 and your iPhone 13. Focus on functionality, not flashy ads. Good luck.