Best Ways to Recover Deleted Screenshots on Your iPhone

If you’ve accidentally deleted a screenshot on your iPhone, you might wonder if it’s possible to recover it. This common issue might appear complicated, but fortunately, several reliable methods exist to recover recently deleted and permanently erased screenshots. This guide will provide a thorough overview of various techniques to retrieve deleted screenshots from your iPhone.

Make Sure that Your Screenshots Are Really Deleted

Before exploring recovery methods, confirm whether your screenshots are genuinely deleted or still exist on your iPhone.This initial step can save you a significant amount of time and effort.

iPhones come equipped with a safety net for recently deleted photos and screenshots. The ‘Recently Deleted’ album in your Photos app holds items for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. These steps allow you to retrieve deleted screenshots quickly without additional tools or software.

Here’s how you can check and recover deleted iPhone screenshots from this album:

1. Launch the app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down to find the ‘Recently Deleted’ album under the ‘Utilities’ section.
3. Browse through the album to see if your deleted screenshots are there.
4. Select any screenshots you wish to recover, then tap ‘Recover’ at the bottom-right of the screen.

If your screenshots aren’t in this album, they may have been deleted more than 30 days ago or permanently erased. In this case, you might need more advanced recovery methods.

How to Recover Permanently Deleted Screenshots on Your iPhone from Backup

If you don’t find your screenshots in the ‘Recently Deleted’ album, consider them permanently deleted. However, there are still ways to recover these screenshots with backups. If you regularly sync your iPhone with Finder or iCloud, these tools can significantly retrieve permanently deleted screenshots. In the sections that follow, we will detail the steps to use backups to recover your screenshots.

Before we examine these recovery methods, confirm you have a recent backup that includes the screenshots you want to recover. Always check for this backup before you start any recovery process. If you don’t have the right backup, these methods won’t be able to get your permanently deleted screenshots back.

1. Recover Deleted Screenshots with Finder Backup

If you sync your iPhone with your Mac using Finder, this application can be valuable for recovering deleted iPhone screenshots from a backup. Finder replaced iTunes for device management on macOS Catalina and later offered a simple way to manage backups and restore your iPhone data.

Here’s how to use Finder to retrieve deleted screenshots on your iPhone:

1. Use a suitable cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac. Confirm your Mac runs macOS Catalina or later, as Finder only includes these device management features in these versions.

2. Once your iPhone connects, it should appear in the Finder sidebar under ‘Locations.’ Click on your device to see its specific details and management options.

3. Look for the ‘Backups’ section in your device’s main Finder window. Here, you will see options for managing your iPhone’s backups.

4. Click ‘Restore Backup…’, and a list of available backups will appear. It’s important to select a backup made before you delete your screenshots.​ Check the date of each backup to confirm you choose the correct one.

5. After you select the appropriate backup, click ‘Restore’. The process starts, and the data from that backup, including any deleted screenshots saved at the time, transfers to your iPhone.

6. During restoration, keep your device connected until the loading bar on your iPhone finishes and your device restarts. Once restarted, you should find your deleted screenshots restored along with other data from that backup.

Note: Restoring your iPhone from a Finder/iTunes backup will completely remove any unsynced files that have appeared on your iPhone since the backup was created. If you need to restore individual files from a Finder/iTunes backup, you can use Disk Drill, as described in the section below.

2. Recover Deleted Screenshots with iCloud Backup

iCloud Backup plays an important role in Apple’s ecosystem. When you enable iCloud Backup, your iPhone backs up important data, including photos and screenshots, whenever it connects to Wi-Fi. This feature keeps your backups current without manual effort. However, restoring from iCloud erases all current content on your device, which can be a significant limitation if you are not ready to lose your current settings and data.

Here’s how you can use iCloud to recover your deleted screenshots on your iPhone:

1. Before the recovery process, verify you have an iCloud backup that predates the deletion of your screenshots. You can check this on your iPhone by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.

2. To restore from an iCloud backup, you must first erase all current data on your iPhone. Navigate to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode to confirm your action.​

3. After your iPhone restarts, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, choose ‘Restore from iCloud Backup.’ Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID and select the backup with your deleted screenshots.

4. The time it takes to restore your iPhone will depend on your internet speed and the backup size. To avoid interruptions, confirm that your iPhone stays connected to Wi-Fi throughout the process.​

5. Once the restore process is complete, check your Photos app to see if your deleted screenshots are available.

Note: iCloud backups will include your deleted screenshots if, at the time of the backup, you did not have photo synchronization to iCloud enabled. If synchronization is enabled, photos, including screenshots, will not be included in the backups.

Can I Recover Deleted Screenshots from iCloud If I Don’t Have a Backup?

Recovering deleted screenshots from iCloud without a pre-existing backup presents a significant difficulty, but there are specific scenarios where recovery might still be possible. iCloud does not store individual files like screenshots independently unless they are part of a backup or synced to iCloud Photos. However, if synchronization did not occur — perhaps because Wi-Fi was turned off during the deletion or the phone was discharged — you may have a narrow window to recover those screenshots.

Here’s a detailed look at how iCloud functions in this scenario and the steps you can take to attempt recovery:

1. If you have iCloud Photos enabled, check the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder within the Photos app. This folder retains deleted photos and screenshots for up to 30 days.

2. Determine whether your iPhone was disconnected from Wi-Fi or turned off around the time you deleted the screenshots. If the device was not connected to the internet, it’s possible that these changes did not sync to iCloud.

3. Consider temporarily disabling iCloud Photos sync on your iPhone to prevent any further automatic synchronization that could overwrite your remaining data. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and toggle off ‘iCloud Photos.’

4. Quickly log in to iCloud.com from a computer. Navigate to the Photos section and check if the deleted screenshots are still available. This method only works if the photos are not synchronized and removed from iCloud.

5. If you find your screenshots on iCloud.com, immediately download them to your computer to protect them outside of iCloud.

While recovering deleted screenshots from iCloud without a backup is challenging, in specific circumstances where the device failed to sync, you might still retrieve them. You might consider using third-party recovery software for cases where iCloud or local backups don’t help.

Recover Permanently Deleted Screenshots on iPhone with Disk Drill

For situations where Finder and iCloud backups don’t suffice, Disk Drill stands out as a powerful option for recovering permanently deleted screenshots on an iPhone. Disk Drill works with iOS versions from iOS 5 to iOS 17, covering many devices. It supports recovery on iPhone models from iPhone 3G to the latest iPhone 15 series. Disk Drill recovers screenshots and photos and retrieves various file types from different applications, including detailed data from message apps.

Why choose Disk Drill over other software?

• It can restore individual files from Finder/iTunes backups without needing to completely restore the iPhone
• The intuitive design of Disk Drill makes it accessible for users with no prior data recovery experience.
• Disk Drill is known for its strong recovery algorithms that are more likely to retrieve lost data successfully.
• Users can preview recoverable files before deciding to restore them, which helps in selective recovery and saves time.
• Disk Drill guarantees that the recovery process does not overwrite existing data on your device, making it a safe option for critical data recovery.

Note: You need twice as much free space on your Mac as the used storage capacity of your iPhone to create a backup that can be scanned for deleted files. You can choose a connected external storage device if your Mac has limited space.

Here’s how to use Disk Drill to recover permanently deleted screenshots on your iPhone:

1. Download and install Disk Drill on your Mac.

2. Use a suitable cable to connect your iPhone to the Mac where the Disk Drill is installed.

3. Open Disk Drill and go to the iPhones & iPads section. Select your iPhone or Fidner/iTunes backup from the list of detected devices.

4. Click on ‘Search for lost data’ to start the scan. Disk Drill will scan your iPhone’s storage to locate recoverable data. For iOS 16 and newer versions, you must input your iPhone’s unlock code on the device itself during this process. The duration of this scan depends on the storage size of your iPhone and the amount of data present.

5. Post-scan, Disk Drill will list recoverable files. Use filters to narrow down to screenshots or examine other file types, such as images from different apps.

6. Select the screenshots you need to recover, and hit the ‘Recover’ button.

7. Choose a save location on your Mac for these files.

How to Recover Deleted Screenshots from a Damaged iPhone

When an iPhone sustains significant damage — whether from water, a fall, or other physical impact — it often becomes challenging to recover data with conventional methods. The most viable option is to turn to professional data recovery services in such cases. These specialized services are equipped to handle various damage scenarios and have the expertise to recover deleted screenshots from compromised devices potentially.

When to consider professional data recovery services:

• If your iPhone has visible signs of physical damage, such as a shattered screen or bent casing, and no longer turns on.
• iPhones submerged in water or exposed to other liquids often require cleaning and repair at a component level, which professional services can provide along with data recovery.
• If the iPhone does not respond to charging or connection attempts and shows no signs of life.
• Professional services can offer more advanced recovery techniques if you’ve tried using recovery software without success or if the device’s condition has deteriorated due to attempted repairs.

When you’ve decided that professional data recovery services are necessary to retrieve deleted screenshots from your damaged iPhone, it’s important to approach the process methodically. Here are the main steps to engage a professional service to select a reliable provider and maximize your chances of successful data recovery.

• Look for services with positive reviews and proven expertise in iPhone data recovery. It’s important to choose a service that maintains the confidentiality and security of your data.
• Contact the service for a consultation. Many reputable companies will offer an initial assessment to determine the likelihood of recovery and provide a cost estimate.
• The service attempts to recover the data, including your deleted screenshots. The duration of the process varies based on the complexity of the damage and the specific recovery techniques needed.​
• If recovery is successful, the service usually returns the data to a new storage medium, like a USB drive. It may also offer options to wipe the original device securely.

Before you send your iPhone for recovery, consider a few important factors.​ First, the cost of professional data recovery can be high and varies depending on the extent of the damage and the specific service you choose. Additionally, even the best recovery services cannot guarantee successful recovery, particularly in cases of severe damage. Finally, it’s important to confirm that the service you select adheres to data protection regulations and offers solid guarantees regarding the privacy and security of your data.

Conclusion

This guide has outlined the primary avenues to recover deleted screenshots from an iPhone. Whether the loss stems from accidental deletion or physical damage, the recovery process requires careful consideration of the available methods and tools. Regular backups can greatly simplify the recovery process. For severe damage, professional data recovery services are the last resort to retrieve lost data.

FAQ

Can I recover deleted screenshots from a third-party cloud storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive?

Depending on the service’s features, you can recover deleted screenshots from third-party cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive. Dropbox and Google Drive have a ‘Trash’ or ‘Bin’ folder where deleted files are temporarily stored, usually for 30 days. To recover screenshots, check your cloud account’s Trash or Bin folder and restore the files. If the files have been permanently deleted or the retention period has expired, recovery may not be possible directly from the service.

How can I recover deleted screenshots on my iPhone without a backup?

If you don’t have a backup, recovering deleted screenshots on your iPhone becomes more difficult. You can first check the ‘Recently Deleted’ album in the Photos app, where deleted photos and screenshots are stored for up to 30 days. If they are no longer in this album, your next option would be to use third-party data recovery software, such as Disk Drill, which can scan your iPhone’s storage for recoverable data. However, the success of this method depends on how much the iPhone has been used since the deletion, as new data could overwrite the deleted files.

What are the best apps for recovering deleted screenshots on iPhone?

Some of the best apps for recovering deleted screenshots on an iPhone include Disk Drill. This app scan your iPhone for lost data, including screenshots, photos, contacts, and messages. It support many iOS versions and offer user-friendly interfaces with high recovery success rates. App also provide a preview feature, so you can see what can be recovered before you restore the files.

Can I recover deleted screenshots if I’ve overwritten them with new data?

Recovering deleted screenshots after overwriting them with new data is extremely difficult, if not impossible. The original data is often irreversibly lost when new data is written over the storage space previously occupied by deleted files. In such cases, even advanced data recovery tools may not be able to retrieve the overwritten screenshots. To increase your chances of recovery, it’s necessary to stop using your device immediately after the deletion occurs and attempt recovery as soon as possible.

Can professional data recovery services guarantee the recovery of my screenshots?

Professional data recovery services offer the best chance of recovering data from severely damaged or non-functional devices but cannot guarantee success. The likelihood of recovery depends on several factors, including the extent of the damage, whether the data has been overwritten, and the specific recovery techniques used. While these services employ advanced tools and techniques, they often warn that no recovery method is foolproof, especially in extensive physical damage or data overwrite.