How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from iPad

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By Jenefey Aaron

2025-05-21 / iPhone Recovery

Losing photos on your iPad—especially when they’re permanently deleted—can be distressing. Whether you mistakenly erased an important image or deleted all content during a factory reset, not seeing your memories in the "Recently Deleted" album might seem like the end of the road. But don’t give up just yet. This guide walks you through how to recover permanently deleted photos from iPad, with and without backups.

Part 1: Can I Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from My iPad?

Yes, you can often recover permanently deleted photos from your iPad, but the success depends on several factors:

  • Time since deletion: The sooner you attempt recovery, the better your chances.
  • Backup availability: Having an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup significantly improves recovery odds.
  • Storage usage: If you've continued using your iPad heavily after deletion, new data may have overwritten the deleted photos.

Let's look at the different recovery methods, starting with the simplest:

Check the Recently Deleted Album

This should always be your first step, as it's the easiest way to recover recently deleted photos:

  • Open the Photos app
  • Tap Albums > Scroll down to Recently Deleted
  • If found, select and tap Recover

Your selected photos will be restored to their original albums in your library immediately. If your photos aren't in the Recently Deleted album, don't worry - we have several other methods to try.

Part 2: How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from iPad

If your iPad was previously backed up, iCloud and iTunes/Finder allow you to restore that backup and recover deleted images.

Restore iPad from iCloud Backup (If You Have One)

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Note:

Before starting this process, it's crucial to understand that this method requires erasing your current iPad data, so make sure to back up any new content you want to keep.

  • Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings.
  •  Erase All Content and Settings screen
  • After restart, go through language and Wi-Fi setup until Apps & Data appears.
  • Tap Restore from iCloud Backup. Log in with Apple ID and choose a backup dated before deletion.
  • Restore from icloud backup

Your iPad will be restored to the state it was in when the backup was created, including the photos that were later deleted.

Recover iPad from iTunes/Finder Backup

iTunes (on Windows or older macOS) and Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) provide another reliable backup method for iPad users. These computer-based backups are particularly valuable for recovering deleted photos as they create complete snapshots of your device that are stored locally on your computer rather than in the cloud.

If you regularly connect your iPad to a computer for backups, follow these detailed steps:

  • Connect your iPad to the computer you normally use for backups using the USB cable.
  • Ensure your computer recognizes the device - you may need to unlock your iPad and tap "Trust This Computer" if prompted.
Open the appropriate application:
  • On Windows or macOS Mojave (10.14) or earlier: Launch iTunes.
  • On macOS Catalina (10.15) or later: Open Finder.
For iTunes:
  • Wait for iTunes to detect your iPad.
  • Click on the device icon that appears in the top-left area of the iTunes window
  • In the Summary tab, locate the "Backups" section.
  • Click on Restore Backup.
  • restore backup
For Finder:
  • Select your iPad under "Locations" in the sidebar of the Finder window
  • Click the General tab at the top of the window
  • In the "Backups" section, click Restore Backup
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Note:

This method also replaces your current data with the backup version, so ensure you've backed up any new content first. If you have multiple backups available, choose the most recent one that still contains your deleted photos to minimize the loss of newer data.

Part 3: How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from iPad without Backup

If you don't have any backups, specialized recovery software can be your last resort. One highly effective solution is UltData iOS Data Recovery, which is a professional tool for recovering permanently deleted photos from iOS devices, including iPads. It works without any backup and uses deep scanning to recover photo fragments that haven’t been overwritten. It supports major formats like JPG, PNG, HEIC, and GIF, including third-party app images. Users can choose from three recovery modes: from the device, from iTunes, or from iCloud. The software is beginner-friendly, while offering advanced options for experienced users.

Here's a detailed step-by-step guide to recover permanently deleted photos using UltData:

  • Download and install UltData iPhone Data Recovery on your computer and select "iPhone/iPad Data Recovery".
  • UltData scanning process interface
  • Connect your iPad to your computer using USB cable, Then click Start Scan to begin searching for lost files.
  •  click Start Scan
  • After scanning, preview deleted photos, select the ones you want and click Recover to PC.
  • peview screen with thumbnails of recoverable photos

Wrapping Up

It’s frustrating to lose photos, but as you've seen, there are several ways to recover permanently deleted photos from iPad—with or without backup. iCloud and iTunes provide native backup recovery options, but if no backup is available, UltData iPhone Data Recovery gives you a flexible, fast, and efficient way to retrieve your data. Whether your device is working or unresponsive, acting promptly and following the right method is crucial for successful recovery.

FAQs about Recover Permanently Deleted Photos iPad

Q1: Can I recover permanently deleted photos from my iPad after 30 days?

Yes, but it's more challenging. If you have an iCloud or iTunes backup from before deletion, you can restore from it. Without backups, specialized data recovery software like UltData offers your best chance.

Q2: Will restoring from backup delete my current data?

Yes, restoring from iCloud or iTunes will overwrite your current data with the older backup.

Q3: How to recover permanently deleted photos from iPad if it's broken or not turning on?

If your iPad is broken or won't turn on, you can still recover photos if you have an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup. Sign in to iCloud.com or use recovery software to extract photos from your backups without needing access to the device itself.

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