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iPads are portable devices used for productivity, work, entertainment, and so much more. One of its most convenient features is sharing data from one device to another. Shared information can include confidential emails, messages, media content, and files.
However, your iPad is always at risk of losing all kinds of data. Data loss can happen due to a recent update, malware attacks, or accidentally deleting a file. This can be a considerable disturbance, especially if the data is urgently needed.
But don’t worry since you can easily recover lost data on your iPad using trusted data recovery software. These can search and restore deleted files from your iPad using a streamlined recovery process.
How to Choose the Right Data Recovery Software
A good data recovery tool goes through your device’s internal storage to search and restore your data with full integrity.
Since these data recovery tools are installed into your computer and not your iPad, the tool must support various operating systems, like macOS and Windows.
Here are some further tips on choosing a good iPad data recovery software:
- Easy-to-use and has a beginner-friendly user interface.
- Supports several file formats—photos, videos, images, and other files from backups.
- Can recover files from various situations—deleted from the Recycle Bin, Itunes, and corrupted storage.
- Number of apps the recovery tool supports, e.g. WhatsApp, Viber, etc.
- Is regularly updated and has great customer service support online.
- Provides the best experience, especially when investing in their paid versions.
10 Best iPad Data Recovery Software
We evaluated the different data recovery tools to navigate the many available options. Our assessment considered key parameters, each assigned a score to provide a comprehensive understanding of their performance. The parameters we include:
- ✅ Recovery Success Rate: A crucial factor in determining the efficacy of any data recovery tool is its success rate. We evaluated how effectively each software restored lost or deleted data from iPads. Additionally, tools that consistently demonstrated a higher success rate earned commendations for their reliability.
- 📁 Supported File Formats: The variety of data types you might store on your iPads needs support for a broad range of file formats. Our evaluation took into account the versatility of each software in recovering various file types, including photos, videos, messages, contacts, and more.
- 💽 Ease of Use: The user-friendliness of a data recovery tool significantly impacts its accessibility to a broader audience. We assessed the ease with which users could navigate through the recovery process, giving higher scores to tools that offered an intuitive and straightforward interface.
- ⚙️ Preview Functionality: Previewing recoverable files before committing to the recovery process is a valuable feature. This allows users to selectively restore only the data they need selectively, minimizing unnecessary restoration.
- ✨ Additional Features: Beyond the core function of data recovery, we explored additional features that enhance the overall utility of the software. This includes capabilities like selective recovery, support for external storage, and compatibility with various iOS devices.
- 💵 Value for Money: An essential consideration for users is the value they receive in proportion to the price paid. We evaluated the pricing structures of each tool in relation to the features and performance offered, identifying those that presented the best value for money.
After evaluating all these factors, we only shortlisted the top ten software that had the best overall marks.
1. Disk Drill iPad Recovery
First on the list is Disk Drill. It is a trusted data recovery tool available for most Apple devices, like Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It can recover deleted files from iPad and other data loss situations—accidental data loss, corrupted apps and updates, and much more.
The Disk Drill iPad recovery app is compatible with most iPad versions, including the iPad Mini series, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. Subscribing to Disk Drill Pro will cost you $89 (unlimited data recovery for 1 user) and the Enterprise edition will cost $499 (unlimited data recovery for up to 10 users).
Lifetime upgrades will cost an additional $29 for the Pro version and $99 for the Enterprise version.
✅ Pros
- Easy-to-use
- Has a simple user interface
- Supports most iPad versions
- Streamlined data recovery process
- Recovers various file formats
- Allows you to search the files by name and lets you preview all recovered files
❌ Cons
- Free version on Mac/iPadOS only allows you to preview the retrievable file, but you need the paid version to recover it
2. Tenorshare UltData
Tenorshare UltData is a reliable data recovery software compatible with all iPad models and editions. It features an easy recovery process for data on your iTunes or iCloud backup. It can also recover your data directly from your iPad, even without a backup available.
You can download Tenorshare UltData from their official website. Its paid version on Mac will cost you $59.95 and is $10 lower ($49.95) on Windows.
✅ Pros
- Easily searches and recovers your files in a small amount of time
- User-friendly interface
- Able to restore data from different data loss situations
- Recovers various file formats
❌ Cons
- Free Mac version cannot recover lost data.
3. Wondershare Dr. Fone
Wondershare’s Dr. Fone enables you to recover every bit of data from your iPad or other Apple device. It can also recover from your iCloud and iTunes backups, which can contain several file formats. It’s compatible with most models of iPad, including the iPad Air and the 5th generation, which was released in 2022.
The Dr. Fone – iOS Toolkit will cost you $99.95 and can go up to $139.95 when you purchase the complete toolkit—which includes recovery for both iOS and Android. Visit their official website by clicking this link.
✅ Pros
- Compatible with most Apple devices
- Easy-to-use and has a simple user interface
- Can preview recoverable data
- Active online technical support
❌ Cons
- Recovered photos can be distorted compared to their original state
- The paid version has a higher cost than other iPad recovery software
4. Stellar
The Stellar Data Recovery software for iPad is great for recovering your lost data on iPad, whether it’s text messages, Photos, WhatsApp, notes, or other important files. It has a simple and user-friendly interface that makes retrieving data easier.
Stellar’s free version will scan, preview and let you recover up to 1GB of data. Its paid versions can cost as low as $49.99 (Standard version, unlimited data recovery) but can go up to $299 (Toolkit version, repairs and supports all data storage). Visit Stellar’s official website here.
✅ Pros
- Easy three-step recovery process
- Supports various file formats
- Compatible on Mac, Windows, and iOS
❌ Cons
- Slow deep scans
- Pricing can be expensive for advanced data storage
- Inconsistent data recovery results
- The free version only allows you to scan and preview the files
5. iMyFone D-Back
iMyFone D-Back is capable of recovering all kinds of files that were accidentally deleted and lost due to a faulty iPadOS update, corrupted iPad, and other situations. It can also recover backup data from iTunes and iCloud.
With its free version, you can only recover and preview all recoverable files—but you’ll have to choose between their pricing plans to recover your data: 1-month ($49.95), 1-year ($59.95), and Lifetime ($69.95).
✅ Pros
- Recovers most file formats
- High success rate for data recovery
- Beginner-friendly user interface
- Supports most iPad series
❌ Cons
- The paid version is expensive compared to other data recovery tools.
- Recover iPad files through Windows PC only, not compatible with Mac as of the moment
6. Leawo iOS Data Recovery
Leawo iOS Data Recovery is for individuals seeking to recover lost or deleted data from their iPads efficiently and easily. Boasting a comprehensive set of features, the software is designed to address the diverse needs of iPad users, ranging from personal memories captured in photos and videos to other important data such as message attachments, voice memos, call history, calendars, notes, reminders, and Safari bookmarks. Additionally, this app can restore and export the contacts to CSV, VCF, and HTML files.
The user-friendly interface ensures accessibility for individuals with varying levels of technical expertise, making the data recovery process straightforward and hassle-free. One of its standout features lies in its versatile file recovery capabilities, supporting a wide array of file formats. This inclusivity ensures that users can restore an extensive range of data types, meeting the demands of both personal and professional use cases.
Leawo iOS Data Recovery further distinguishes itself through its multiple recovery modes, allowing users to choose the most suitable method based on their specific data loss scenario. Whether recovering data directly from the iOS device, extracting files from iTunes backups, or retrieving data from iCloud, the software provides flexibility to cater to various circumstances. In addition, the preview functionality adds another layer of convenience, enabling users to selectively recover only the data they need by previewing recoverable files before initiating the recovery process.
While the software excels in functionality, it’s essential to consider the pricing structure. The balance between features and pricing remains critical in determining the software’s overall value. Leawo offers a free trial version and a paid version at $59.95.
✅ Pros
- Multiple Recovery Modes
- Preview Functionality to minimize unnecessary restoration and save time
- Broad Device Compatibility.
❌ Cons
- Limited Free Version
7. FonePaw
The FonePaw iPad data recovery tool can restore lost data on your device by applying a deep scan on its internal storage. It features a high photo recovery rate compared to other data recovery products. Also, it can go over deleted files and backups at a faster rate.
Its free version only lasts for 30 days and is limited to previewing recoverable files. You will need to purchase their Mac version, which comes in three pricing plans: One-month ($77.95), One-year ($94.95), and Single-user ($109.95).
✅ Pros
- Recovers all kinds of file types
- Fast operation; scans corrupted and inaccessible files
- Recovers data from various external storage devices
- Simple three-step process for recovering data
❌ Cons
- Does not work quite as well with files that are greater than 2GB
- No log of recovered data is kept for reference
8. EaseUS MobiSaver
Another data recovery software for iPads is the EaseUS MobiSaver. It recovers deleted files from your iPad and other iOS devices. It restores different file types, including photos, videos, text messages, and more. This data recovery tool also restores files from your iCloud and iTunes backup.
Its free version can recover up to 2GB of data. The paid version, EaseUS MobiSaver Pro, offers unlimited data recovery. It comes in three plans: Monthly ($59.95/month), Annual ($79.95/year), and Lifetime Upgrade ($99.95).
✅ Pros
- Fast data recovery
- Recovers many files that can be easily sorted
- User-friendly interface
❌ Cons
- Unrecoverable files are still being listed
- May take time to recover data
- The free version can only recover up to 5 contacts and 1 photo/video
9. Syncios
Syncios Data Recovery supports various file formats, including deleted conversations from popular online messaging apps like Kik, Viber, and WhatsApp.
The free version of Syncios is restricted to scanning your iPad for recoverable files. To fully recover your files, you’ll need to purchase one of their license plans: 1-year subscription ($39.95/year), Lifetime license ($49.95), and Business license ($299/year).
✅ Pros
- Can selectively recover data from folders
- Restores data without overwriting new files
- Creates backups of recovered files on your computer
- Has an active email support
- Simple app design
❌ Cons
- Limited free trial version; will need to pay for the updated Syncios Data Recovery app.
- Problems with compatibility and detecting devices
- Does not support certain audio and video formats
10. Fonelab
Fonelab For iOS is a data recovery app that effectively recovers your device’s data with or without a backup from iTunes or iCloud. All you’ll need to do is to connect your phone to the computer and Fonelab will scan all of its deleted and lost files.
Its free version only allows you to preview recoverable files from your iPad. To get the most out of Fonelab For iOS, you’ll need to purchase their paid versions, which are available on both Mac and Windows OS: a 1-month license for one PC ($31.96), a Lifetime license for one PC ($55.96), and Lifetime license for 3 PC’s ($132).
To know more about Fonelab’s pricing plans and bundles, you can visit their official website.
✅ Pros
- Supports all iOS devices
- Easy-to-use and has a beginner-friendly user interface
- Previews deleted and existing files before recovery
❌ Cons
- Compatibility issues on certain devices
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Trusted data recovery tools can recover deleted files from iPads, iPhones, and other iOS devices. This software can search for recoverable data and restore it using advanced algorithms.
Some recovery tools do restore data for free, but only to a certain extent. You’ll most likely need to pay for their premium versions to gain access to their data recovery features.
A legitimate data recovery tool can search for lost data from your iPad’s internal storage, regardless of whether or not the data is backed up. For instance, Disk Drill has an option to recover your device’s internal data.
All you’ll need to do is connect the device to your computer, and Disk Drill will scan for deleted or lost data.
Yes. You can first perform a backup of the iPad’s data to your iCloud or iTunes account. To back up data to your iCloud, follow these steps:
- Open your iPad and connect it to a stable Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn it on.
- Tap Back Up Now.
To back up data to your iTunes, proceed to these steps:
- Turn on your computer and connect your iPad using a Lightning to USB cable.
- Open iTunes then choose your device.
- Click Check This Computer and select Back Up Now.
After doing these steps and waiting for the backup process to finish, you can now proceed to restore your iPad. This process is also applicable to an iPhone device.
