How to Recover Notes on iPhone

Accidentally losing notes on an iPhone is frustrating, but fortunately, it’s not hopeless. If you've lost important notes, there are a few reliable ways to get them back. In this guide, we’ll cover the main methods for recovering notes on an iPhone.

1. Recovering from the "Recently Deleted" Folder

Your iPhone temporarily stores deleted notes in a special folder. Notes deleted within the last 30 days are saved in the "Recently Deleted" folder before being permanently removed.

  1. Open the "Notes" app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to the "Folders" section and find the "Recently Deleted" folder.
  3. Browse the notes in this folder and select the ones you want to recover.
  4. Tap "Move" and choose the folder where you’d like to restore the note.

2. Recovering via iCloud

If you’ve enabled note synchronization with iCloud, you can recover notes from the cloud storage. Be aware that changes made on one device are synced across all connected devices.

  1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in to your account.
  2. Find and open the "Notes" app on iCloud.
  3. Check for notes that might only be available in the cloud and not showing on your iPhone.
  4. If you find the notes, copy their content and transfer it to the "Notes" app on your device.

3. Restoring from an iTunes or iCloud Backup

If you regularly back up your device, restoring from a backup can help you retrieve lost notes. Note that restoring from a backup will return your iPhone to its state at the time of the backup, and other data will revert to this point as well.

Restoring from iCloud:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Reset and choose Erase All Content and Settings.
  2. After the device restarts, select "Restore from iCloud Backup" when prompted.
  3. Choose the backup that likely includes your notes.

Restoring from iTunes:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
  2. Select your device in iTunes, go to the "Summary" section, and choose Restore Backup.
  3. Choose the backup that likely contains your notes and confirm the restoration.

4. Using Third-Party Data Recovery Apps

Several third-party apps can help recover deleted notes and other data on iPhone. Popular programs like Dr.Fone, PhoneRescue, or Tenorshare UltData allow you to scan your device and retrieve deleted files.

Important: When using third-party apps, make sure to download them from trusted sources to avoid potential security risks to your data.