Is Jihosoft iPhone Data Recovery Worth It? Pros, Cons & Pricing

How to Use Jihosoft iPhone Data Recovery: Step-by-Step GuideLosing important iPhone data — photos, messages, contacts, notes — is stressful. Jihosoft iPhone Data Recovery is a desktop tool designed to help recover deleted or lost files from iPhones, iPads and iCloud/iTunes backups. This guide walks through preparation, installation, different recovery modes, step-by-step operations, tips to maximize recovery, and how to interpret results.

Before you begin — preparation and precautions

• Back up your device immediately (if it’s accessible). Use iCloud or iTunes/Finder so you don’t risk further data loss.
• Make sure your computer meets the app’s system requirements (macOS or Windows) and you have the latest version of iTunes (or Finder on recent macOS) installed if you’ll access device or iTunes backup.
• Use the original USB cable or a reliable replacement and avoid interrupting the connection during scanning or recovery.
• Know what you want to recover (photos, messages, contacts, WhatsApp, notes, etc.) — recovering everything increases scanning time and may return large result sets.

Installation and initial setup

1. Download the official Jihosoft iPhone Data Recovery installer from the vendor’s website. Avoid third‑party download sites to reduce risk of bundled software.
2. Install the app:
   • On Windows: run the .exe, follow prompts, grant permissions if requested.
   • On macOS: open the .dmg, drag the app to Applications, allow permissions in System Preferences if macOS blocks installation.
3. Launch the app. If prompted, update to the latest version.
4. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a cable. Unlock the iPhone and, if a “Trust This Computer” prompt appears, tap “Trust”.

Recovery modes overview

Jihosoft typically provides three main recovery modes (names may vary slightly by version):

• Recover from iOS Device — scans the connected iPhone/iPad directly for deleted items.
• Recover from iTunes Backup — extracts and recovers data from local iTunes (or Finder) backups.
• Recover from iCloud Backup — downloads and extracts data from your iCloud backups.

Choose the mode based on where your lost data likely resides and whether your device is operational.

Step-by-step: Recover from iOS Device

1. Open Jihosoft iPhone Data Recovery and select “Recover from iOS Device”.
2. Ensure your iPhone is connected, unlocked, and trusted. The software should display your device model and iOS version.
3. Choose the data types to scan (e.g., Photos, Messages, Contacts, WhatsApp). Selecting fewer types shortens scan time.
4. Click “Start” (or “Scan”) to begin. Wait — scanning time depends on storage size and selected data types.
5. When the scan completes, results will be grouped by category. Use filters or the search box to find specific items.
6. Preview items: most file types (photos, messages, attachments) can be previewed before recovery.
7. Select items you want to recover. Click “Recover” and choose an output folder on your computer. The software will export recovered items (usually to readable formats such as JPG, PNG, PDF, HTML, TXT, or VCF for contacts).
8. Check recovered files in the chosen folder. For contacts or messages, you may need to import VCF/CSV back into your device or to an account.

Step-by-step: Recover from iTunes/Finder backup

1. Launch the app and choose “Recover from iTunes Backup”.
2. The software will list local iTunes/Finder backups. If a backup is encrypted, provide the backup password when prompted.
3. Select the relevant backup and click “Scan” or “Next”.
4. After scanning, preview results grouped by category.
5. Choose files to export and click “Recover”. Save them to a folder on your computer.
6. Verify recovered data and import back to device or services as needed.

Step-by-step: Recover from iCloud backup

1. Choose “Recover from iCloud Backup” in the app.
2. Sign in to your iCloud account when prompted. Use two‑factor authentication if your account has it — follow on‑screen instructions to enter any verification codes.
3. The app will display available iCloud backups. Select the most relevant one and click “Download” or “Scan”.
4. Depending on the backup size and your internet speed, downloading may take time.
5. Preview and select items from the downloaded backup, then click “Recover” to save them locally.
6. Verify recovered files on your computer.

Security note: Signing into iCloud through third‑party recovery apps is common but consider privacy concerns. Use official vendor software downloaded from the vendor site and be cautious with account credentials.

Tips to maximize recovery success

• Stop using the iPhone once you realize data is lost. Continued use can overwrite space where deleted data sits, reducing recovery chance.
• Try scanning the device first; if it’s unavailable or damaged, try iTunes/Finder or iCloud backups.
• If a backup is encrypted and you don’t remember the password, recovery may be impossible for that backup.
• For messages and app data, prioritize the most recent backups that exist from before the data loss.
• If automatic previews are empty, try deeper or full scans if the software offers them — they take longer but may find more files.
• Keep storage space free on your computer for recovered files and for temporary download of backups.

Common issues and troubleshooting

• Device not detected: unlock iPhone, tap “Trust”, use Apple‑certified cable, update iTunes/Finder, restart both device and computer.
• Scanning stalls or crashes: update the app, close other heavy apps, try a different USB port or cable, run as administrator on Windows.
• Encrypted backup password lost: check Keychain on macOS or password managers; without it, encrypted backup contents cannot be decrypted.
• iCloud sign-in problems: ensure correct Apple ID credentials and 2FA codes. If multi‑factor device is unavailable, use account recovery through Apple.

What to expect from recovered data

• Recovered photos/videos are usually in original formats (JPG/HEIC, MP4/MOV) if salvageable.
• Messages and attachments may be recovered as readable text and individual media files; threading/order can vary.
• Contacts often export as VCF/CSV; calendar events and notes may export in readable formats but sometimes require manual re‑import.
• Some app data or settings cannot be fully recovered if the app stores data server‑side or uses strong encryption.

Alternatives and when to escalate

• If Jihosoft cannot find important data, consider trying another reputable recovery tool (each uses different scan heuristics).
• For physically damaged devices or advanced forensic recovery, professional data-recovery services may have specialized equipment and techniques — these are costlier but sometimes necessary.

Final checklist

• Back up your device before attempting recovery.
• Choose the correct recovery mode: device, iTunes/Finder backup, or iCloud backup.
• Select targeted file types to save time.
• Preview before recovering; save recovered files to your computer.
• If recovery fails, try alternate software or professional service.

If you want, I can:

• Provide a shorter quick-start checklist you can print.
• Walk through the exact steps for your operating system (Windows or macOS).
• Suggest alternative recovery software to try.