Lost iPhone Data? Here’s How PhoneRescue Stacks Up (Review)
Reviews • Aug. 26, 2024
Imagine checking your iPhone only to discover that important photos, messages, or contacts have mysteriously disappeared due to accidental deletion, a failed update, or even a mysterious glitch.
We experienced this firsthand just last month when our iPhone started rebooting after a failed update, and a significant share of data went missing. When it comes to recovering lost data, there’s no shortage of software options out there, each promising to be the best solution.
However, after trying a few, we decided to test PhoneRescue by iMobie by installing it on an HP Victus, running Windows 10, and connecting our iPhone 12 Pro and XR to it. Here’s how it performed, from data recovery to system repair and everything in between.
TheSweetBits’ key takeaways
- PhoneRescue is a reliable tool for data recovery and system repair on iOS/Android devices.
- It offers features like fast scanning, previewing files, selective recovery, and support for iCloud and iTunes backups.
- It can also fix common iOS issues and remove passcodes, but has limitations in certain areas like export process and passcode removal for newer iOS versions.
- Overall, it’s a good choice for those dealing with data loss or system problems on their iPhones or iPads, or Android devices.
PhoneRescue basic tech specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Supported Platforms | Windows, macOS |
| Windows Compatibility | Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista (32-bit & 64-bit) |
| macOS Compatibility | macOS Sonoma,Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, etc. |
| iOS Compatibility | iOS 5 – iOS 17 |
| Android Compatibility | Android 4.0 and later |
| Supported Devices (iOS) | iPhone (from iPhone 5 to iPhone 15 series), iPad, iPod |
| Supported Devices (Android) | Various Android devices including Samsung, Huawei, Google, Xiaomi, and more |
| Recovery Types | Data from iOS/Android devices, iCloud, iTunes backups |
| Additional Requirements | USB cable for device connection |
| Free Trial and Learn More | Available on official website |
Getting started with the recovery
After installing PhoneRescue, the first thing we did was connect our iPhone to recover data. PhoneRescue’s scanning process was impressively fast, thanks to what they call NO DATA LOSS technology.
It took about five minutes to complete a thorough scan of our iPhone, which is quite efficient considering the amount of data stored on the device. The software identified all recoverable files, ranging from photos and messages to app data and contacts.
A significant advantage is being able to preview files before recovery, allowing us to precisely locate and restore lost files without sifting through irrelevant data and avoiding duplicates and unnecessary clutter. This feature helped us select only the items we needed, ensuring that we weren’t just dumping everything back onto the phone.
However, the export process felt a bit complicated as we had to turn off Find My iPhone and reboot the device. It was disappointing that photos and videos couldn’t be exported directly without performing these steps. However, we managed to recover the lost photos that we had thought were gone forever, with no degradation in quality.
The other thing we didn’t like the most about PhoneRescue was that it also displayed images that were already available on my iPhone, so it took time to find the lost ones and recover them.
Recover lost data from iCloud and iTunes
We also explored PhoneRescue’s capabilities in handling iCloud and iTunes backups. The ability to selectively recover data from these sources is an added advantage, particularly because restoring from a full backup usually means overwriting your current data, which can lead to more problems.
PhoneRescue offers the ability to preview and selectively recover files from the backup without wiping your current data. This feature is a huge plus compared to the standard Apple method, especially if your iPhone is damaged and you can’t connect it to your computer.
In addition to iTunes, we were able to recover a series of messages and attachments from an iCloud backup. The process was secure, with PhoneRescue’s SecureLOGIN ensuring that our Apple ID and personal information remained confidential through 256-bit SSL encryption.
While everything went well with iTunes and iCloud, we found the iCloud recovery process somewhat underwhelming. It doesn’t offer much beyond what you can already do on iCloud.com. If you’re comfortable using iCloud.com, you might find this feature redundant.
Fix iOS system issues
PhoneRescue isn’t just about data recovery, as it also offers system repair tools. This was particularly useful since my old iPhone XR had been stuck in a continuous reboot loop, which had me fearing the worst.
The software’s repair mode offers a solution to various common iOS issues, from the infamous white Apple logo screen to devices stuck in Recovery Mode. I used the Advanced iOS Repair mode to address the reboot loop.
The process was smooth, with clear instructions guiding us through each step. In less than ten minutes, our old iPhone XR was back to normal without losing any data, which felt like a significant relief, as factory resets can often wipe everything clean.
While testing these, we didn’t find anything particularly exciting or lacking, as all the tools included are standard and worked as advertised.
Remove lock and screen time passcodes
During our testing, one of our friends noticed that we had been working on PhoneRescue, learned what it was, and brought over an iPhone X, which was screen-locked and left unused.
This created an opportunity to test the passcode removal tool, and to our surprise, the passcode removal process was surprisingly simple. After a few clicks and a short wait, PhoneRescue unlocked the iPhone X, allowing full access.
To test the screen time passcode lock, we set a password and used the tool to see if we could gain access, and the process went seamlessly. While this went smoothly, we realized that we got lucky, as the iPhone X was running iOS 14.
This is because the tool only works on devices running iOS 14 or earlier to remove lock and screen time passcodes, which might limit its usefulness for those with the latest software.
How to recover data using PhoneRescue?
Installing PhoneRescue is as easy as installing any other software. For demonstration, we have selected Windows, and the steps below will guide you in installing and recovering data.
- Start by downloading and installing PhoneRescue on your Mac or PC.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Launch PhoneRescue and choose the “Recover from iOS Device” mode. Then, click the arrow button in the bottom right corner to start scanning your device for all recoverable data.
- Choose the types of data you want to recover. If you wish to recover everything, select the “Select All” option and click OK. The scanning process may take a few minutes, so be patient while it is complete.
- Review the list of recoverable data. You can check the items you want to recover, and if you prefer, you can filter the list to show only lost data. You can also use the search box to find specific items.
- Decide whether to restore the selected data to your device or your computer. Once you choose, the recovery process will begin. You’ll receive a notification when the process is complete.
PhoneRescue FAQs
TheSweetBits’ final words
After using PhoneRescue for recovery, we can confidently say it’s a reliable and effective tool for anyone dealing with iOS data loss or system issues. Its user-friendly interface, exclusive compatibility with iPhones and iPads, and powerful recovery and repair features make it a go-to solution for both tech-savvy users and general consumers.
In our interview with the PhoneRescue team, they emphasized their commitment to ongoing development and user feedback. This aligns with the constant updates and improvements they’ve implemented since the tool’s initial release. If you’re looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly data recovery solution for your iPhone or iPad, PhoneRescue is worth for trying.
