Forum Discussion
How can I recover or extract photos from iphone backup without icloud?
My photos on iPhone are backed up to my Windows 11 PC with the help of iTunes. I don't use iCloud as the backup tool coz the free storage is only 5GB. I need some help to extract photos from iphone backup as my son deleted about 100 photos from the iPhone. I checked the trash folder from the Photos app but they are not on the device anymore.
If you know a simple way to recover deleted photos from iTunes backup, pls kindly let me know.
Appreciated!
7 Replies
- SawyeryoIron Contributor
Follow the steps in this guide:
https://www.uuwinfox.com/recover-photos-from-iphone-backup
P.S. It helped me get back hundreds of deleted photos.
- CacomIron Contributor
iTunes does not support extracting photos from iPhone backup. Only full restore is available.
- wossinesserIron Contributor
Extracting photos from iPhone backup is definitely a workaround some folks consider, but it’s not the best idea in the world.
Disadvantages of Extracting Photos from iPhone Backup
- Restoring a backup—especially if you do it on your main device—can overwrite current data. That means you might lose some new photos, messages, or app data that you’ve added since that backup was made unless you’re super careful and know how to extract photos from iPhone backup without losing recent stuff.
- It’s not instant. You’ll need to wait for the restore process to finish, which can be anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how big your backup is.
- If you accidentally restore on your main device, your current photos, apps, or settings could get replaced, leading to confusion or data loss.
- This method restores everything, not just your photos. So you could end up with a cluttered device and have to dig around to find those specific images.
- It’s more like rolling the dice—you get everything from the backup, not just the photos. Plus, if the backup was made when the photos existed, but now they’re deleted, restoring won’t recover the deleted ones unless you restore to a device and access the Photos app directly.
- BramwellLaneIron Contributor
For retrieving deleted photos from iTunes backup, Any2Exract is the app I am using on my Windows 11 laptop. It is a third-party software tool designed to help users extract, view, and recover data from iTunes and iCloud backups of iPhones and iPads.
Unlike Apple’s native tools (which only allow full restores), it lets you selectively export photos, messages, contacts, notes, call logs, app data, and more without needing to erase your device.
How to extract deleted photos from iPhone backup
- Install and launch the program.
- The software will automatically detect iTunes backups stored on your computer.
- If you want to extract from an iCloud backup, log in with your Apple ID.
- Choose the correct backup (check date & size) and click "Next".
- In the left menu, go to camera Roll (saved photos).
- Preview thumbnails and select the photos you want.
- Click "Export" (or "Recover" for deleted photos).
- Select a folder on your PC/Mac to save the photos.
- Open the exported folder to view your recovered iPhone photos.
Tip: If some photos are corrupted, try another backup or use "Deep Scan" (paid feature).
- wossinesserIron Contributor
Hey! So, if you're planning to recover or extract photos from iPhone backup without using iCloud, there are a few things to keep in mind.
From my own experience and what I’ve gathered, the main thing is making sure you're using a trustworthy tool or method to extract photos from iPhone backup. If you go for shady software, there’s always a risk of malware or data theft. Stick to legit programs like iTunes, Finder (on Mac), or well-known third-party tools with good reviews.
Also, if you're doing this on your own device and not sharing your backup files with anyone, the risk of data exposure is pretty low. Just be cautious about where you store those backup files afterward—don’t leave them lying around on public or shared computers.
In short: use reputable tools, keep your backups secure, and you're mostly good to go. Nothing major should happen if you’re just recovering your own photos, but always be cautious with third-party apps and file storage!
- AldousStoneIron Contributor
iTunes backups are not meant for selective file extraction as they are meant for full restores. For easiest extraction, use a third-party iPhone backup extractor tools, which can scan iTunes backups and extract photos in an organized way.
iPhone Backup Extractor is a third-party software tool designed to help users recover and extract specific files such as photos, messages, contacts, and app data from iTunes or iCloud backups, even if the backup is encrypted. Unlike iTunes, which only allows full restores, this tool lets you selectively access and export data without needing to overwrite your current iPhone content.
It works by scanning the iTunes backup files stored on your computer (or in iCloud), decrypting them if necessary, and then displaying the data in an organized, user-friendly interface where you can preview and save individual files to your PC or Mac. After that, you can selectively extract photos from iPhone backup in a simple way.
- Komondor2240Iron Contributor
Certainly! If your photos were backed up to your Windows 11 PC via iTunes (or Finder, if applicable), and you're looking to extract photos from iPhone backup without using iCloud, here are some methods you can try:
1. Manually Extract Photos from iTunes Backup
iTunes backups are stored on your PC in a specific folder, but they're usually in a format that's not directly accessible. You can:Locate your backup folder:
- C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
- Use a backup viewer or file explorer to browse the backup files.
Note: The files are stored in a proprietary format, so manual extraction is complex and not recommended unless you’re comfortable with technical processes.
2. Restore Backup to a New Device or a Dummy Device
If you want to extract photos from iPhone backup directly:- Connect a different iPhone or an iOS device (or even your current device if possible).
- Restore the backup without overwriting current data (by restoring on a device or a secondary device), then check the Photos app for the deleted pictures.
Warning: Restoring a backup will replace current data on your device, so proceed with caution.