There are many reasons why the data on your iPad can be lost, for example, accidental deletion, failed iPadOS upgrades, factory reset, or device water damage, etc. Fortunately, it’s still possible to recover these deleted or inaccessible files with iPad data recovery software.
Many software vendors claim to be able to recover lost iPad files. But do they work as they advertise? We’re determined to find out which ones actually work and offer the best value.
Read on to find out which iPad recovery software are actually worth trying.
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The Best iPad Data Recovery Software Reviewed
Please note: the software recommended below have been tested by our team, and they are all free of virus. They are also relatively easy to use and all of them can be run on a computer with Windows or macOS.
1. Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
Don’t be fooled by its name, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone actually works with iPads too. It’s capable of recovering lost data from an iOS device (including iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch), iCould, and iTunes backup files.
Supported file types include photos, videos, WhatsApp, text messages, Contacts, and more. Both Windows and macOS versions are provided so you can run it on your PC or Mac.
2. EaseUS MobiSaver
Like its name indicates, MobiSaver is a tool developed to save data from mobile devices — iPads included.
The program is efficient in handling various iPad data loss circumstances from accidental deletion, and sync errors to device issues.
It also provides a standard three recovery modes that allow you to recover as much data as possible. The software supports all iPad models and is compatible with both Windows and macOS.
3. Dr.Fone
Billing itself as “the world’s 1st iPhone and iPad data recovery software”, Dr.Fone does a great job of recovering data from iPads with its comprehensive recovery solutions.
This software has three powerful recovery modes: Scan Device, Extract iTunes, Download iCloud; you can virtually restore any data from your device and never have to panic about data loss caused by various reasons.
4. PhoneRescue
PhoneRescue is another great iPad recovery software that is able to recover up to 19 different types of files from any iOS-based device.
Specific file types include pictures, movies, songs, contacts, notes, and more. What we like most about the program is the scanning process is very fast which means you’ll see your lost data in just a few steps — less panic.
How to Choose an iPad Data Recovery Software
There is a wide range of iPad recovery programs that exist in the market, but knowing which one is the best for your situation can be challenging and confusing.
Many of them claim they include many useful features and functionalities, however, you may don’t need them, or they don’t work out as they promised. Here are some key criteria we used to narrow down the best software for your selection.
Security
This is the number one thing we test (and you should care). Any iPad data recovery software that runs on a PC or Mac must be 100% clean — free of viruses, malware, or spyware. We first download each program and upload the file to Comodo Valkyrie for the initial analysis. Then we use Malwarebytes to scan and make sure they do not contain any malicious processes.
Recovery Methods
A great iPad recovery software should be able to handle various iPad data loss situations — whether the device can be detected or not.
To test this, we explore and see if a piece of software contains these recovery methods (or modes): Direct scan, extract iTunes backup, extract iCloud backup.
- “Direct Scan” mode tends to find more trashed items as it requires you to connect your iPad to a computer.
- “Extract iTunes” and “Extract iCloud Backup” are best for when your iPad is damaged or stolen, but they often tend to find fewer files.
Compatibility
We evaluate whether the software has both a Windows and Macintosh version because you’ll rely on a computer to run the software and for connecting your iPad device.
Also, we check if the program supports all iPad models (e.g. Air, Pro, Mini, etc.) and iOS versions. Because we don’t have all different types of iPads at hand, hence we refer to the official websites of respective software providers to look for such information.
Ease of Use
Ideally, any software designed for general consumers like us should be user-friendly — as reflected in software UI/UX, text instructions, and durability (fewer crashes and fewer bugs).
We test this mainly based on our instincts, and we are quite confident about our judgments, especially considering there is a good range of alternatives for us to compare.
Technical Support
Data recovery is sophisticated and it usually requires you to have some basic computer skills. The best software should offer support in ways like tutorials, email support, live chat, or even phone calls. Whenever you have a question during your use of the software, you should be able to reach out to the provider for help.
Fair Disclosure
This iPad data recovery software review is based mainly on 1) our own experience in testing and using each program available on the market, 2) the information provided by each developer as available on their website, 3) the expertise of iPad experts with whom we consult, and 4) the feedback from users for which the products they’ve tried.
As such, please note that the above recommendations are our opinions, and they do not intend to serve as official guides for you to choose the best software for retrieving your iPad data. We also recommend you do your research or contact related software experts to assist your data recovery efforts.
