Recently deleted videos

Hi can someone please answer me, I had some videos and photos recently deleted on my phone annd I have deleted it from recently deleted and it’s IOS16, is there any chance someone not using the device can recover them? Or leak it?


edit: nothing is backed up on the cloud or iTunes

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Posted on Aug 1, 2023 5:52 AM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 1, 2023 6:30 AM

When you delete an item from Recently Deleted, it is instantly and permanently deleted. Anyone who might be using your iPhone cannot recover something that no longer exists.



46 replies

May 10, 2024 10:53 PM in response to Community User

If you have a iCloud backup, then restore from the deleted video from backup. Otherwise, go and try a dedicated data recovery software instead.


There are a bunch of third-party data recovery tools like D-Back data recover, Dr.Fone or iPhoneGeeker that claim to work wonders in these situations. Look for a tool that's specifically designed for iPhone and compatible with your iPhone model. These tools usually have a free version that shows what's recoverable, but you might need to pay to actually retrieve the photos.


Here is a detailed review you can check out:

https://www.imyfone.com/data-recovery/data-recovery-software


As you can see from the following screenshot, some of the deleted video can be recovered.

P.S. No matter which method you are going to choose, make sure try it on your iPhone first. Most of third-party data recovery apps has a free trial feature.

Aug 1, 2023 10:43 AM in response to Community User

Just because you saw it online does not mean that it is true. What you have read "online" is not correct. The Internet unfortunately is a source of many lies.


Most "articles" on the Internet about retrieving deleted data are really scams in disguise that are trying to sell or point you toward useless software that will do nothing except line the pockets of the folks selling this junk.



Aug 2, 2023 12:23 PM in response to Community User

Lana7263 wrote:

But I’ve read online that nothing is really deleted and data would still be out there until it’s overwritten… can you pls explain.

How old were those articles and to what were they referring? On old hard drives when you deleted a file the data was still on the drive, it was just the reference in the directory that was deleted. Tools existed that could rebuild a directory so some data could be recovered if the space had not been overwritten with newer files. Anything build in the past decade (such as your iPhone) uses flash storage which works a different way.

Feb 12, 2024 7:12 AM in response to Community User

Using programs like Disk Drill, iPhone Backup Extractor, FoneLab, etc., you can attempt to recover remnants of files from your media library that seem permanently deleted.

While you might not get back the full files, it's possible to find thumbnails, preview images, or media shared via social media in your iPhone's cache or hidden folders.

This method also applies if you have a Mac connected with the same Apple ID, offering a forensic approach to possibly uncovering some data. These tools copy your phone's file system to your computer, decrypt it, and organize the data for review, potentially revealing lost photos and videos within an iOS backup in a user-friendly format.

Aug 1, 2023 5:56 AM in response to Community User

Sorry, they are gone.


From: Delete photos on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- "When you use iCloud Photos and delete a photo or video on one device, it's also deleted on all other devices where you're signed in with the same Apple ID."

- "If you accidentally delete a photo or video, you have 30 days to get it back from your Recently Deleted album.

- "If you want to permanently delete your photos or videos, you can remove them from the Recently Deleted album. When you delete a photo from this album, you can't get it back."


Aug 2, 2023 3:00 PM in response to Community User

Some myths never die.


If the issue that you describe were true, every support site would be flooded with this information and you would see this on the evening news. Of course, none of this has happened.


Kind of reminds of what will turn out to be a famous statement by a lawyer who is going to be in big trouble. "We don't have the evidence, but we have a lot of theories".


If you have the time, back up your iPhone to a Mac or PC. Then erase the iPhone and reload the backup. This won't help in any way, but you might feel better.



Recently deleted videos

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.