How to Use iMyFone D-Back to Retrieve Deleted Photos and MessagesLosing important photos or messages from your iPhone is stressful — whether it’s precious memories, vital conversations for work, or proof you need for a dispute. iMyFone D-Back is a consumer-focused data recovery tool that aims to make restoring deleted files straightforward. This guide explains how D-Back works, what it can and can’t recover, and gives a step‑by‑step walkthrough to maximize your chances of successful recovery.
What is iMyFone D-Back?
iMyFone D-Back is a desktop application for macOS and Windows designed to recover deleted or lost data from iOS devices, iTunes backups, and iCloud backups. It supports many data types, including photos, videos, messages (iMessage, SMS), call history, contacts, notes, WhatsApp and other app data.
Key point: iMyFone D-Back can scan your iPhone directly and also extract data from iTunes/iCloud backups.
What it can and can’t do
- Can recover: deleted photos, videos, SMS/iMessage, WhatsApp chats and attachments, contacts, call logs, notes, Safari history, and more — from the device, iTunes backup, or iCloud backup.
- Cannot recover: data that has been overwritten by new data (common if you keep using the phone after deletion), data from broken hardware where storage chips are physically damaged (unless specialized lab services are used), and some types of encrypted backups without the password.
- Works best when: you stop using the device immediately after data loss (to avoid overwriting), and you have an iTunes or iCloud backup available if the device is unavailable.
Key point: The sooner you attempt recovery after deletion, the higher the chance of success.
Preparations before recovery
- Stop using your iPhone — avoid creating new photos, messages, or apps that may overwrite deleted data.
- Install the latest version of iMyFone D-Back on a Windows or macOS computer.
- Have your iPhone, its Lightning cable, and Apple ID credentials (if you’ll access iCloud) ready.
- If your iPhone is encrypted or you use an encrypted iTunes backup, ensure you know the backup password.
Step-by-step: Recover directly from an iPhone
- Install and open iMyFone D-Back on your computer.
- Choose “Recover from iOS Device.”
- Connect your iPhone via USB and wait for D-Back to detect it. If prompted, tap “Trust” on the phone and enter the passcode.
- Select the file types you want to recover (e.g., Photos, Messages). Choosing fewer types speeds scanning.
- Click “Scan” to start. D-Back will analyze the device’s storage and search for recoverable data.
- When the scan completes, preview results in the app. You can filter by status (Deleted/Existing) and file type.
- Select the photos and messages you want to restore.
- Click “Recover” and choose whether to save recovered files to your computer or restore back to the device (options vary by version).
- Verify the recovered items on your computer or iPhone.
Tips:
- Use preview to avoid recovering unnecessary files.
- If the device isn’t detected, try a different USB port, cable, or restart both device and computer.
Step-by-step: Recover from iTunes backup
- Open D-Back and choose “Recover from iTunes Backup.”
- D-Back will list available iTunes backups on the computer. Select the backup you want.
- Choose the data types to scan (Photos, Messages, etc.).
- Click “Scan.” After scanning, preview recoverable items.
- Select items and click “Recover” to save them to your computer or restore to device if supported.
Note: Encrypted iTunes backups require the backup password before scanning.
Step-by-step: Recover from iCloud backup
- Choose “Recover from iCloud” in D-Back.
- Sign in with your Apple ID (enter credentials in the app). Two-factor authentication may require a code from your device.
- D-Back will display available iCloud backups and synced data. Choose the backup or data category.
- Click “Download” to let D-Back fetch the backup data, then scan it.
- Preview and recover items as above.
Privacy note: When using iCloud recovery, you provide your Apple ID credentials to the desktop app. Ensure you’re using a trusted, up‑to‑date D-Back download from the official site.
Recovering specific types: Photos vs Messages
- Photos: D-Back can recover full-resolution photos and thumbnails; preview shows image quality. Recovered photos are saved as common image files (JPEG/HEIC/PNG).
- Messages: Supports SMS and iMessage; recovered messages include text and often timestamps and sender info. Attachments (images, videos) linked to messages can usually be recovered alongside the thread.
If the regular recovery fails
- Try another recovery mode (device vs iTunes vs iCloud). Sometimes one source contains the needed data.
- Use a different computer to read an iTunes backup file.
- For physically damaged phones (won’t power on or are water-damaged), consider professional data-recovery labs — software alone may not access the storage chip.
- Check whether the deleted items exist in the “Recently Deleted” album in Photos or in the Messages app’s backups before using third-party tools.
Safety, legality, and privacy considerations
- Use official software downloaded from iMyFone’s site to avoid tampered installers.
- Respect privacy and legal boundaries—do not attempt to recover data from devices you do not own or have explicit permission to access.
- If you sign into iCloud within the app, ensure two-factor authentication codes and passwords remain secure.
Key point: Only attempt recovery on devices you own or have permission to access.
Alternatives and comparison (brief)
| Task | D-Back | iCloud/iTunes restore | Third‑party tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recover specific deleted files without full restore | Yes | No (full restore required) | Varies |
| Work without backups | Yes (direct device scan) | No | Varies |
| Requires password for encrypted backups | Yes | Yes | Varies |
Final tips for best results
- Act quickly after deletion.
- Avoid heavy use of the device before recovery.
- Keep regular backups (iCloud or encrypted iTunes) to simplify future recovery.
- Verify recovered files immediately and store them on your computer or external drive.
If you want, tell me which platform you’re on (Windows or macOS) and whether you plan to scan your device, iTunes backup, or iCloud — I can give precise, step‑by‑step screenshots and options.
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