5 Best Free iPhone Data Recovery Tools for Mac and Windows

Losing photos, messages, contacts, or other important files from an iPhone can happen after accidental deletion, an iOS update, a factory reset, or device failure. In these situations, free iPhone data recovery tools may help you scan for and recover lost data without immediately paying for a full recovery solution.

However, not every free recovery program offers the same features. Some only allow free scanning or previewing, while others limit the amount or types of data you can recover. In this guide, we compare 5 free iPhone data recovery tools for Mac and Windows, including their key features, limitations, compatibility, and best use cases.

TunesKit iPhone Data Recovery

Best for: Previewing and recovering multiple types of lost iPhone data

TunesKit iPhone Data Recovery is an iPhone recovery tool for Windows and Mac that can scan lost or deleted data from an iPhone, iPad, iTunes backup, or iCloud backup. It can help in situations such as accidental deletion, iOS update problems, factory resets, device damage, and other common data-loss scenarios.

The software lets you scan the device and preview recoverable files before deciding what to restore. This is especially useful when you only need specific photos, messages, contacts, notes, or other files instead of restoring an entire backup.

Free Scan & Preview with TunesKit iPhone Data Recovery

Scan and preview lost iPhone data for free from your device, iTunes backup, or iCloud before choosing what to recover.

Try It Free 600,000+ Downloads

Try It Free 600,000+ Downloads

Recovery modes:

• iPhone/iPad Data Recovery
• Recover Data from iTunes
• Recover Data from iCloud

Free version: The free trial lets you scan and preview recoverable data. A license is required to actually recover the files.

Pros:

• Available for both Windows and Mac
• Supports selective preview before recovery
• Multiple recovery sources
• Simple interface for beginners

Cons:

• The free version does not recover files

Best choice if: You want to check whether your lost iPhone data is still recoverable before purchasing a recovery license.

PhoneRescue for iOS

Best for: Recovering a wide range of iPhone data types

PhoneRescue for iOS is another popular iPhone data recovery program available for both Windows and Mac. It supports recovery directly from an iPhone or iPad as well as selective extraction from iTunes and iCloud backups.

One of its main advantages is broad file support. It can scan for photos, messages, contacts, videos, call history, notes, app data, and other types of content. You can preview available files before selecting what you want to restore.

Recovery modes:

• Recover from iOS Device
• Recover from iTunes Backup
• Recover from iCloud

Free version: The free download can scan for recoverable data, while full recovery features require a paid plan.

Pros:

• Supports Windows and Mac
• Supports up to 31 types of iOS data
• Selective recovery from backups
• Can recover certain data directly to the iPhone or computer

Cons:

• Full recovery is not completely free
• Some recovery results depend on device condition and existing backups

Best choice if: You want broad file-type support and multiple recovery options.

Wondershare Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS)

Best for: Users who want an established all-in-one iOS recovery tool

Wondershare Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS) is a recovery tool designed to help retrieve lost or deleted data from iPhone and iPad devices. It can scan for photos, messages, contacts, videos, call history, notes, app data, and other common file types.

The software supports previewing recoverable content before restoration, allowing you to select specific files instead of recovering everything at once. It also offers multiple recovery options for different data-loss situations.

Recovery options include:

• Recovering data from an iPhone or iPad
• Extracting data from device backups
• Previewing files before recovery
• Selecting individual files instead of restoring everything

Free version: A free trial is available for scanning and previewing data, but some recovery functions require a paid license.

Pros:

• Designed specifically for mobile data recovery
• Supports multiple types of iPhone data
• Preview and selective recovery
• Available for Windows and Mac

Cons:

• Not all recovery functions are free
• The full suite includes many features users may not need

Best choice if: You prefer an established mobile utility suite with data recovery as one of its main functions.

FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery

Best for: Selective recovery from an iPhone, iTunes, or iCloud

FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery offers three main ways to retrieve lost iPhone data: scanning the iOS device directly, extracting files from an iTunes backup, or accessing recoverable data from iCloud.

After scanning, the program lets you preview different file categories and choose individual items to recover. Supported content includes messages, contacts, notes, call history, calendars, Safari data, WhatsApp content, photos, and other files, although availability can vary depending on the device and recovery method.

Recovery modes:

• Recover from iOS Device
• Recover from iTunes Backup File
• Recover from iCloud Backup File

Free version: A trial version is available for scanning and previewing. Full data recovery generally requires registration.

Pros:

• Three recovery modes
• Preview before recovery
• Windows and Mac versions available
• Selective file export

Cons:

• Free recovery is limited
• Direct recovery support varies by file type and device

Best choice if: You mainly want to browse and selectively extract files from backups.

EaseUS MobiSaver Free

Best for: Users who want limited but actual free recovery

EaseUS MobiSaver Free is one of the stronger options if your priority is finding an iPhone data recovery tool with some genuine free recovery capability.

It can scan an iPhone, iPad, iTunes backup, or iCloud backup and recover common data such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, notes, call history, WhatsApp data, voice memos, and Safari information.

Unlike many tools that only offer free scanning, EaseUS MobiSaver Free allows limited recovery, making it more suitable for users who only need to restore a small number of files.

Recovery modes:

• Recover from iOS Device
• Recover from iTunes Backup
• Recover from iCloud Backup

Free version: Limited recovery is available without upgrading to the Professional edition.

Pros:

• Offers some actual free recovery
• Supports Windows and Mac
• Three recovery modes
• Supports many common iPhone file types

Cons:

• Free recovery is restricted
• Unlimited recovery requires the Pro version

Best choice if: You only need to recover a small number of files and want to avoid paying immediately.

The Bottom Line

The best free iPhone data recovery tool depends on your recovery needs and whether you have an iTunes or iCloud backup. TunesKit iPhone Data Recovery is a practical choice for scanning and previewing lost data from an iPhone, iTunes backup, or iCloud, while PhoneRescue, Dr.Fone, FoneLab, and EaseUS MobiSaver also offer useful recovery options. Before choosing, compare their supported data types, recovery modes, compatibility, and free-version limits.