Best iPhone data recovery tool or software I can use on Windows 11?

There are so many iphone data recovery software out there. You need give a try and read the review first.

Using iFunBox Classic is another iPhone data recovery tool for recovering iPhone data such as photos, messages, and contacts on a Windows PC.

How does this iPhone data recovery tool work?

1. Accessing Photos:

You can navigate through the DCIM folder (where photos are stored) to recover images directly from your device.

2. Extracting Messages and Contacts:

While iFunBox isn't designed specifically for messages or contacts, some data related to these (like chat backups or app data) might be accessible depending on how the device is configured.

For messages and contacts, you typically need to explore app data or backup files created by iOS.

Limitations

No official backup or recovery of deleted data:

• iFunBox is mainly a file browser, so it can help you extract existing media files but won't recover deleted data unless you have a previous backup or the data still exists on the device.

No direct "restore" feature:

• It doesn't perform deep data recovery like specialized tools (e.g., iPhone data recovery software). It’s more for manual extraction.

Limited for messages and contacts:

• To recover messages or contacts, you might need to access backups or use additional tools that can parse backup files.

Here’s a totally different approach with no third-party software involved: use official Microsoft Windows tools to repair the core iOS connection and backup system, which could be the reason your iPhone data recovery tool isn’t functioning as it should.

Step 1: Reset Apple Device Services

• Settings > Apps > Installed Apps: Delete Apple Software Update, iTunes, Bonjour, Apple Mobile Device Support;

• Win+R, type %programfiles%: Delete Apple/iPod folder ，Then Win+R, type %appdata%: Delete Apple Computer folder.

• Download the “Apple Mobile Device USB Driver” from the Microsoft directory and extract the .cab file.

• Update the iPhone driver in Device Manager by selecting the extracted .inf file for installation.

• Reinstall Apple services: Install the “Apple Devices” app from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2: Extract Backup Data via PowerShell

• Locate backups: Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ and select the folder containing Manifest.db.

• Open PowerShell as Administrator and execute the following commands:

cd “C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\[Your Backup Folder Name]”

• Export all .db file list:

Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Filter *.db | Select-Object FullName, Length, LastWriteTime | Out-File -FilePath C:\Backup_Files_List.txt

• Extract SMS .db files to desktop:

$smsPath = Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Filter sms.db | Select-Object -First 1 -ExpandProperty FullName

Copy-Item -Path $smsPath -Destination C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\sms_backup.db

Open the Backup_Files_List.txt generated by PowerShell, locate the desired .db file path, copy it directly to your desktop, and open it with any SQLite viewer tool.

Core Advantages

• Higher success rate for iPhone data recovery after driver repair.

• Quickly locate backup files using PowerShell without relying on third-party software.

• Entire process uses official Microsoft tools, ensuring security and no bundled software.

Using an SQLite database browser is an excellent hands-on method for directly viewing the raw database files within your iPhone backup. As a free, manual alternative to a dedicated iPhone data recovery tool, this powerful approach enables you to locate and extract data that other tools may fail to display.

1. Locate the backup folder: Copy the path to open it, tick ‘Hidden items’, and find the folder containing Manifest.db.
2. Install DB Browser: Download and install the free SQLite browser from the official website.
3. Search for database files: Within the backup folder, locate files with corresponding names (e.g., SMS messages: sms.db; contacts: AddressBook.sqlitedb).
4. Open to view data: Launch the file in DB Browser and examine relevant content under “Browse Data”.
5. Export data: Filter and export as CSV files, or use SQL queries for precise extraction.

This method affords precise control. Whilst requiring patience, it enables recovery of data that may be fragmented or stored in formats incompatible with commercial software. Begin by locating your `sms.db` file – it is typically the most accessible and valuable file for examination.

iPhone data is stored in encrypted SQLite databases within backups or device files. You cannot directly access these databases on the device without jailbreaking, which is complex and may void warranties. The most practical way is to extract an iPhone backup to your PC and then analyze the backup files. Not use iPhone data recovery tool.

How to use SQLite Browser as iPhone data recovery tool:

1. Create an unencrypted iPhone backup

• Use iTunes or Windows to back up your iPhone.
• Make sure the backup is unencrypted; encrypted backups are not readable without the password.

2. Locate the backup folder

• On Windows 11, the backup folder is typically at:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

• Inside, you'll see a folder with a long alphanumeric name containing your backup data.

3. Identify relevant database files

Within the backup folder, look for files with .sqlite or similar extensions.

Common files you might explore:

• AddressBook.sqlitedb (contacts)
• sms.db (messages)
• Photos.sqlite or similar (photos stored in database form)

4. Open the database with SQLite Browser

• Download DB Browser for SQLite from sqlitebrowser.org.
• Launch the app.
• Open the database file (e.g., sms.db for messages).

5. Browse and find your data

Use the Browse Data tab to look at tables like:

• message (texts)
• contact (contacts)
• photo (photos, if stored in database)
• Extract data by exporting tables as CSV or copying info.

Losing important data from your iPhone can be highly stressful. The optimal data recovery tool largely depends on your specific circumstances: whether you have a recent iTunes/iCloud backup, and whether the data was simply deleted or lost due to a crash, corruption, or forgotten password.

iPhone data recovery tool

Method One: Restore Data via iCloud

Suitable for cloud-synced data such as Contacts, Calendar, Notes, and iCloud Photos.

• On a Windows computer, open a browser and visit iCloud

• Sign in with your Apple ID, click the relevant app to view data, and recover accidentally deleted items from the Recently Deleted folder.

• Features: Instant operation, no software installation required.

Method Two: Restore via iTunes Backup (Requires Prior Backup)

If you previously synced your iPhone with a Windows computer and created backups.

• Connect your iPhone to a Windows 11 computer, open iTunes, or download and install the ‘Apple Devices’ app from the Microsoft Store.

• Review your device backup history; if historical backups exist, your data may be stored within them.

⚠️ Note: Windows systems lack built-in tools to directly view specific data within backups. To extract content, you must rely on third-party software.

Using iCloud is an effective way to recover or access some of your iPhone data—such as photos, contacts, and messages—on your Windows 11 PC, provided you had iCloud backups or sync enabled before losing the data.

How to recover data via iCloud on Windows 11 without iPhone data recovery tool:

1. Access iCloud.com

• Open your web browser and go to: iCloud.com
• Log in with your Apple ID and password.

2. Check Available Data

• Photos: Click on Photos to view and download your synced photos.
• Contacts: Click on Contacts to see your synced contacts. You can export contacts as vCards.
• Messages: iCloud does not support directly viewing or recovering SMS messages through iCloud.com. Messages are stored in the Messages app on your iPhone or Mac, but not easily accessible online unless you use third-party tools.

3. Download Data

• For photos and contacts, select the items you want.
• Download photos by selecting and clicking the download icon.
• Export contacts by selecting all contacts, then clicking the gear icon > Export vCard.

Limitations:

Messages: You cannot view or recover SMS/iMessage conversations directly from iCloud.com.

Backup Restoration: You can't restore an iCloud backup directly to your Windows PC; it’s only available for restoring via an iPhone or Mac. Or seek help from professional iPhone data recovery tool.

For recovering photos, Windows can recognize the iPhone as a camera when connected via USB, allowing you to import photos using the built-in Windows Photos app or the import function in File Explorer. However, this method only works for media files stored in the Camera Roll or Photo Library and doesn't include messages or contacts.

To recover messages and contacts, you typically need specialized tools such as iPhone backup extractors or 

iPhone data recovery tool that can access the encrypted backups created via iTunes or Finder. These tools can scan backups for messages, contacts, notes, and other data, allowing you to retrieve specific information.

In summary, Windows File Explorer alone is limited to importing photos and videos from your iPhone and cannot directly recover messages or contacts. For comprehensive recovery of all data types, you should use dedicated iPhone data recovery tool or backup　extraction tools designed for this purpose.