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How to Recover Lost Files from iPad 4/3/2/1

By Jennifer | Last Updated

If important files have been lost from iPad, how can we do?

  • In fact, no matter it is text content or media content, lost files can be recovered from iTunes backup file or directly from iOS device with several iPad data recovery tool.
  • Besides data recovery tool, there are still other ways that could recover lost files for iPad 4/3/2/1.
  1. Way 1: Restore Lost Files from iPad Backup in iTunes
  2. Way 2: Recover iPad Lost Files from iTunes Backup with iPad Data Recovery App
  3. Way 3: Directly Scan iPad to Recover Lost Files with iPad Data Recovery Tool
  4. Way 4: Restore iPad Files from Backup in iCloud

Way 1: Restore Lost Files from iPad Backup in iTunes

While you have synced your iPad, or backed iPad in iTunes, now you can use these iTunes backups to restore iPad lost files.

1. Connect your iPad to computer and do not let it sync to computer.

2. When iPad is recognized by computer and open in iTunes, click File - Devices - Restore from Backup.

restore lost files from iPad backup in iTunes

Follow prompting message and wizard to restore iPad from iTunes backup. Until restoration is completed, you can see what you have recovered from iTunes backup. Sometimes probably all of lost files have been restored. Probably only some of lost files are restored. If you want to make sure which lost files you can recover from iTunes backup, go on Way 2.

Way 2: Recover iPad Lost Files from iTunes Backup with iPad Data Recovery App

Compared to Way 1, iPad data recovery app helps to scan iTunes backup, and iPad users can preview each file in backup. So it could improve iPad data recovery accuracy rate.

Step 1: Prepare iPad data recovery app and install.

When you couldn't make a decision on choosing an iPad data recovery app, try iSunshare iOS Data Genius please. It looks simple but effective actually for recovering iPad lost data. It is also worth mention that iOS Data Genius works for iPhone and iPod Touch data recovery.

Search, download and install it on your computer. Then run it after finishing installation.

Step 2: Choose "Recover from iTunes Backup File" option and scan.

choose recover lost data from iPad iTunes backup

Two data recovery options are in the top of iOS Data Genius, choose the second one "Recover from iTunes Backup File" and you would see iTunes backup list in the middle part.

Select iPad iTunes backup you and click "Start Scan" button to see files in this iTunes backup. If you feel it is not what you want, Click "Home" button in preview window, and choose another iTunes backup again to preview files.

Step 3: Preview, recover and save iPad lost files in computer.

recover iPad lost files from backup with iPad data recovery tool

Preview files after scanning iTunes backup. While you think everything is OK, choose them and click Recover button, and browse a new folder to save these lost files for iPad.

Way 3: Directly Scan iPad to Recover Lost Files with iPad Data Recovery Tool

To Way 2, Way 3 would be simpler to recover lost files with iPad data recovery tool. You don't need to scan iTunes backup to decide which iTunes backup is available. What you need to do is connect iPad to computer, then scan iPad with iPad data recovery tool. But the same to Way 2, you still can extract lost files from previewed files.

Step 1: Prepare iOS Data Genius on computer.

Step 2: Choose "Recover from iOS Device" and scan connected iPad.

After iOS Data Genius is prepared, run it to choose "Recover from iOS Device" option, and click Start Scan button, when iPad has been backed up and connected to computer.

choose to recover lost files from iPad

Step 3: Preview, recover and save iPad lost files in computer.

Choose files to preview in new window, when you think they are the lost files you are looking for, check them and click Recover button. In new appearing file browser dialog, elect a folder to save them after recovery.

preview and recover iPad lost files by scanning iPad

Tips: If your iPad can not be powered on, please choose "Recover from iTunes Backup File" in iOS Data Genius.

Way 4: Restore iPad Files from Backup in iCloud

Above three ways can work when iTunes backup is available for iPad. However, if backup is saved in iCloud, we would need to restore iPad files from iCloud backup, in order to reduce data loss.

Before doing iPad files restoration from iCloud backup, let's confirm Wi-Fi is available, Apple ID is known.

Step 1: Erase all of content and settings first in iPad.

Step 2: Follow "Setup Assistant" to restore iPad from iCloud backup.

When your iPad restarts again, and Setup Assistant runs, choose restore iPad from iCloud backup. And then follow wizards to do. Once it is successful, your iPad would reboot and you could see lost files in iPad.

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