How to Use iBackup Extractor to Retrieve Deleted Photos & Messages

How to Use iBackup Extractor to Retrieve Deleted Photos & Messages

What you need

• A Windows PC or Mac with iBackup Extractor installed (trial limits apply).
• The computer that contains your iTunes/Finder backups (or an exported backup folder).
• Backup password if the backup is encrypted.

Step 1 — Install and open iBackup Extractor

1. Download and install iBackup Extractor from Wide Angle Software.
2. Launch the app; it will automatically scan your computer for available iOS backups.

Step 2 — Choose the correct backup

1. From the left-hand list, select the backup that likely contains the deleted items (choose the most recent backup from before deletion).
2. If you have multiple backups, pick the one with the appropriate date/time.

Step 3 — Recover photos

1. Click the Images (Mac) or Backup Media / Photos (Windows) tab.
2. Browse thumbnails or folders to locate the photos and videos you want. You can preview images by double-clicking.
3. Select items (or use Select All).
4. Click Save to PC / Copy to Mac to export images in their original quality (HEIC, JPEG, PNG, DNG for RAW, GIF, etc.).
5. Verify exported files in the destination folder.

Tips:

• The trial lets you extract a limited number of items; purchase activation to remove limits.
• CameraRoll, Messages-attached images, and Recently Deleted items stored in the backup are all accessible.

Step 4 — Recover messages (SMS, MMS, iMessage, WhatsApp)

1. From the backup overview, choose Messages (or go to Preview → Messages).
2. Browse conversations or use search to find specific senders/keywords.
3. To extract, select conversations or individual messages and click Extract / Save. Export formats often include PDF, Text, CSV, or HTML depending on the app version.
4. If you want deleted messages specifically, enable deleted-data recovery (if available) before extracting:
   • Create or select the backup, open Preferences, and enable Recover deleted data (or similar setting).
   • Deleted messages may appear marked or under “Unknown”/red after extraction.

Notes:

• Encrypted backups require the backup password to access Messages.
• If messages were deleted after your last backup and no backup contains them, recovery may not be possible.

Step 5 — Alternative: Create a fresh backup (if needed)

1. If you don’t have a suitable backup, make a fresh encrypted backup of your device using Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows/macOS).
2. Re-open iBackup Extractor and select that new backup.
3. Enable “Recover deleted data” in Preferences, then preview Messages and Images and extract as above.

Warning: Creating a new backup will not restore items deleted before that backup unless the device still retains a recoverable temporary store; do not overwrite an older backup you may need.

Step 6 — Restore to device (optional)

• If you need deleted messages or photos returned to the iPhone, restore the full device from the backup via Finder/iTunes. This will replace current device data with the backup snapshot—back up any new data first.

Troubleshooting

• Backup not detected: point iBackup Extractor to the backup folder (Finder: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup on Mac; Windows: %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup or %USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup).
• Encrypted backup prompts for a password—enter the backup password used when creating the backup.
• Cannot find a specific item: try other backups (older snapshots) or enable deleted-data recovery and re-scan.

When recovery isn’t possible

• No backup exists from before deletion and the device no longer contains the items.
• Overwritten or securely erased data that the backup does not contain.

Quick checklist (summary)

• Install iBackup Extractor → Select backup → Images/Backup Media → Preview → Select → Save.
• For messages: Preview Messages → Enable Recover Deleted Data if needed → Extract → Export format (PDF/Text/CSV).
• Use encrypted backup password if required; buy activation to lift trial limits.

If you want, I can produce step-by-step screenshots or a short checklist tailored to Windows or macOS.