The 5 Best Methods to Track a Lost or Stolen iPhone

Summary: Lost your iPhone? Don’t worry, here we tell you how to track lost or stolen iPhone using various techniques. Also, learn how to erase your iPhone data permanently to prevent it from reaching in wrong hands or misuse, using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

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Q. I cannot live without my iPhone. It was stolen yesterday and can’t recall where I lost it. It has been switched off. Can I track the location of my iPhone? Is there any way to track lost iPhones?

A. Don’t panic. Log in to ‘Find My iPhone’ via iCloud.com and set it to ‘Lost Mode’. To know what else you can do now to track the iPhone location, read this post.

Losing an iPhone (and for that matter any smartphone) is tormenting. Besides the upfront costs, there’s an incredible amount of personal data at stake. Today, smartphones not only store personal photos, videos, and music libraries but might also contain an incredible amount of sensitive information in the form of browsing history, social data, app traces, etc. So the apprehension of exploitation and misuse of the data stored in a stolen or lost iPhone is but real.

So, as soon as you discover that your iPhone has been stolen or lost, first, try to track the location of your missing device and lock it.

How to track a lost or stolen iPhone?

Try out the following methods

1. Use Find My iPhone
2. Track through Apple’s Family Sharing
3. Use Google Timeline
4. Try Google Photos
5. Use location-tracking apps

Method 1: Use Find My iPhone

If Find My iPhone is enabled on your stolen iPhone, you can do the following:

• Locate your mobile phone
• Protect your iPhone data by choosing Lost Mode or erasing the data remotely

How to use Find My iPhone when the phone is missing

• Sign in to icloud.com on your computer.
• Click on the Find My iPhone link at the bottom.
• On the Find My iPhone’s map interface, select your lost iPhone via the All Devices drop-down menu. The app starts tracking your iPhone location on the map.

As you see the location of your device you can choose to do the following

• Play sound (if your iPhone is nearby, you can trace it with sound)
• Activate ‘Lost Mode’ (this locks your device and still tracks it)

What does Lost Mode do to your device?

• Remotely locks your device
• Displays a message with your phone number on the missing iPhone’s Lock Screen
• Keeps track of your device location.
• Erase iPhone remotely (with this action you won’t be able to track your iPhone but data is prevented from slipping into the wrong hands)

How to erase iPhone data remotely?

Choosing to erase the iPhone remotely deletes the complete data from it.

Note: Always remember to copy important photos, videos, music, and other data on iCloud backup before remotely erasing the iPhone.

Use a trusted and safe data recovery solution such as Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to restore lost files from iCloud. The software allows the recovery of specific data rather than recovering the entire data.

Method 2: Track iPhone through Family Sharing

If you have set up Family Sharing, use it to track your iPhone. Family Sharing helps the members to know each one’s device location. Ask another member in the Family Sharing group to trace your iPhone via the Find My iPhone app. The member can also sign into iCloud.com to locate the missing iPhone.

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Is your missing iPhone switched off or offline?

If the missing iPhone is switched off or showing offline in Family Sharing, you can still activate Lost Mode or remotely erase its data via Find My iPhone.
Note: The iPhone’s last known location remains only for one day. In case your device is offline for over 24 hours, you cannot trace its last location.

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What to do when ‘Find My iPhone’ is NOT enabled or the missing iPhone is offline for more than one day?

• Change your Apple ID passwords to prevent anyone from accessing your data.
• Change your social media and other Internet account passwords like Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• Report the device as missing to the authorities.
• Report your network carrier to disable the services like calls, messages, or data use.

Method 3: Use Google Timeline to find lost iPhone

If you have turned on Location Services and Location History on your iPhone, Google’s Timeline will record all the locations of your device.

When an iPhone goes missing, access the location information on a map and find the last location. Remember, Google Timeline records the location only when the iPhone is switched on with an internet connection.

How to see the last location of a lost iPhone in Google Timeline

• Visit <com/maps/timeline> on your computer.
• Sign in to your Google account.
• Click Today or select Date.
• Scroll down to see the last reported location of your iPhone.

Along with the location, note the time when your phone was last connected to Google. Taking clues from the location and time information, you can find your lost iPhone. If needed, take the help of cops.

Method 4: Take location clue from Google Photos

If anyone has captured a photo from your lost iPhone and you have the Google Photos location-sharing option enabled, then luck is on your side.

Visit <photos.google.com/>. Check, if any new photos were uploaded and view their upload location.

Method 5: Location tracking apps

If you have installed any location-tracking app such as GPS Location Tracker, CocoSpy Cell Phone Tracker, or iTrack on your missing device, use it to track the lost or stolen iPhone. These apps share the real-time location of your device on your computer or other connected devices.

Conclusion

Apple’s Find My iPhone feature is the best way to track the location of a stolen or missing device. If Find My iPhone is not enabled you can try Google Timeline or Google Photos. Other than these methods, third-party apps can also help track a lost iPhone, but only if you have installed them before the phone was lost.

Nevertheless, ensure that you copy the iCloud backup of the stolen iPhone before taking any of the above steps.

A smarter way is to filter out the data that you want to keep, with the help of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

Is this post helpful? Share your experience in the comments below, how you managed to track and get back your stolen iPhone.

Recover Deleted iPhone WhatsApp Attachments on Mac and Windows

Your iPhone has simplified your life to a great extent by making your daily task feasible. You can check your emails, send and receive text messages, WhatsApp messages, and attachments, browse the Internet, capture precious moments, etc. But, there could be situations, where the critical data stored on your iPhone might accidentally get deleted, especially the messages and attachments stored on your WhatsApp.

This situation often occurs when cleaning up the unwanted messages from the message boxes. Nevertheless, landing up in such a situation is disastrous.

With Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone, you can now recover lost or deleted iPhone WhatsApp attachments both on your Mac and Windows based systems. It is a highly reliable data recovery software that is capable of recovering your lost or deleted data from your iPhone, iTunes, and iCloud.

Steps to recover iPhone WhatsApp Attachments

Follow the below-mentioned steps, to recover deleted iPhone WhatsApp attachments on your Mac and Windows-based systems with Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

Step 1) Install Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your Mac or Windows based system

Step 2) Connect your iPhone to your system

Note: You can connect multiple devices and the software will list up the connected devices

Step 3) Double click on the icon of the software and the main screen will open as shown below

Step 4) To recover from your iPhone, click on the Recover from iPhone option displayed on the main screen and select “Message & Chats” option from the list.

Step 5) The software will scan the selected device and list all the items on your phone

Step 6) You can select WhatsApp option from the list

Step 7) Now click on the save button to save the files

Step 8) Provide the location where you would want the recovered data to be saved.

Note: You can import the recovered data to your iPhone but this option is available only when you recover the data in a Windows based system.

To sum up, whenever you are in a situation where you have lost or accidentally deleted WhatsApp attachment from your iPhone, you can rely on Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone. This is a highly-efficient software that is capable of recovering all your lost or deleted data from iPhone, iCloud, and iTunes backup. With this software, you can save all your recovered messages and attachments at your preferred location on your computer.

How to Restore iPhone from Backup when iTunes Backup is Corrupt or not compatible

Summary: Are you receiving the error, ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or not compatible’ while trying to restore iPhone? iPhone recovery is not possible from a corrupt backup file. This post shares how you can resolve corrupt iTunes backup file issue and restore iPhone’s lost data.

‘I dropped my iPhone and broke it. I got it repaired and formatted to factory settings to fix the various issues caused due to the fall. Since I had a backup in iTunes, so was not worried about my data. But had least idea that my iTunes backup file was corrupted! As I tried to restore iPhone from iTunes, a message appeared –: ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible.’ Now I don’t know how to restore my iPhone. Please help.’ –  Simon, UK

It’s not new when users get bowled over by iTunes when trying to restore their iPhone. iTunes sometimes shows a message that it could not restore iPhone because the backup was corrupt or not compatible with the iPhone that was being restored.

It may be because iTunes does incremental backup by updating the previous backup. It’s possible that some old backup data was corrupt, which results in the error message.

Whatsoever, it’s a fact that there’s no recovery possible from a corrupt backup file.

So how to fix such corrupt iPhone backup in iTunes and restore iPhone in such cases?

Here we share the best ways to fix corrupt iTunes backup file and efficient methods to restore iPhone’s lost data.

You can apply these methods on all iPhone models including series of iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6S Plus, 6S, 6 Plus, 6, 5S, 5c, 5, 4S and 4 with latest iOS 16.x.

What you can do to fix ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible’

Since you can’t repair or recover from a corrupt or incompatible iTunes backup file, it is best to delete such corrupt files and next try to create a new backup in iTunes.

How to delete your corrupt iPhone backup file in iTunes

1. Launch iTunes on your PC or Mac
2. Windows users click Edit > Preferences (on Windows PC). Mac users click iTunes Menu > Preferences
3. Select Find your iPhone backups
4. Select the corrupt or incompatible backup. Click Delete Backup
5. Close the iTunes Preferences window

How to delete the old iTunes backup files manually

If you don’t see the old backup in iTunes, then delete the backup manually.

1. In iTunes, under Summary click on Serial Number. You will see the iPhone’s UDID. Note it down.
2. Navigate to the iTunes backups folder on your computer.

On Mac follow: Finder > Option> Go menu> Library> Application Support >MobileSync> Backup

On Windows 11/10/8 follow: In Search box type %appdata%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. Press Enter key

If you installed iTunes from the Microsoft Store, follow: In Search box type %userprofile%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup. Press Enter key.

3. You will see the backup folders named by your device UDID
4. Select the folders with your device UDID and delete them
5. Next go to iTunes and take the backup again

How to backup iPhone in iTunes again

1. Connect your iPhone to computer via lightning cable
2. Launch iTunes
3. Click on Back Up Now The backup process begins.

| Did you get a message — iTunes can’t back up your iPhone because an error occurred? Here’s what you should do…
• Update your iOS to the latest version
• Update your iTunes to the latest version
• Disable antivirus software on your computer
• Now create backup in iTunes

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How to restore iPhone when iTunes backup file is corrupt

Method 1: Restore iPhone from iCloud backup

Method 2: Recover from iCloud backup without erasing existing data

Method 3: Restore lost data directly from iPhone/ iPad

Method 1: Recover from iCloud backup

Instead of iTunes, you can restore iPhone by using the alternative backup solution, iCloud.

Steps to restore iPhone with iCloud

• Click to follow Settings > General > Reset> Erase all Contents and Settings

• A dialog box pops up, choose Erase Now
• Follow the instructions until you get on to the Apps & Data screen
• Tap Restore from iCloud Backup

• Sign in to your iCloud account
• Choose the recent backup and click Restore

Method 2: Recover specific files from iCloud without losing existing iPhone data

In case you want to restore specific data from backup, instead of complete backup, use an iPhone recovery software.

Steps to restore specific files from iCloud:

• Download and launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your computer.

• Select Recover from iCloud Backup on main screen of software.

• Select what you want to recover. Click Next
• Enter the Apple ID and password
• Select the relevant iCloud backup and click Scan

• Select the data in the iCloud backup files list on left and preview

• Click Save
• In the dialog box select computer or iPhone to save the recovered data. To save directly onto your iPhone, connect your iPhone to the computer.

Method 3: Recover data from iPhone

If iTunes could not restore iPhone or iPad because the backup was corrupt and neither iCloud is able to restore backup, recover data from the device directly. You can easily restore lost photos, videos, messages, calendar, voice memos, Safari bookmarks, etc., with this method. It works in cases of broken/ water-damaged iPhone, factory reset, iOS crash etc.

Steps to recover lost data from iPhone/ iPad

• Connect your iPhone to computer
• Launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
• On the home screen select Recover from iPhone

• Select the data you want to restore
• Click Next

• Preview the data and click Save. You can save the recovered data on computer or iPhone

Conclusion

You cannot repair or recover data from corrupt iTunes backup file that gives — ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible’ message.

However, the situation can be tackled by deleting the corrupt backup file and creating a fresh new backup in iTunes.

To restore iPhone, you may use either the new iTunes backup or bypass iTunes by using alternative recovery methods. Other than iTunes, iCloud or Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone are the effective ways to restore lost data on your iPhone. Among these too, if you wish to restore specific data like photos, videos, voice memos, or contacts etc., Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone would be the best solution.

Best 10 iMessage Recovery Software

Summary: Digital data may sometimes seem a nuisance, and due to essential data may be deleted with unwanted trash. However, if you have also deleted your important messages with all the trash various companies spam you with, you have the option to recover your messages. We are covering the best 10 iMessage Recovery Software to let you make your choice and stay stress-free.

Messages have been an integral part of our personal and professional lives. Losing important messages can be a nightmare. Since most Apple systems work seamlessly with cloud backups, there’s not much to worry about if the backup exists. The heavens fall flat, though, when there’s no backup.

Fret not, as we have a list of top iMessage recovery software to help you get the messages back. We’ve walked the hard yard to make a list and take notes of all the available software. Then, we tested each and listed only the best 10 iMessage Recovery Software for your perusal.

What are iMessages?

iMessage is Apple’s proprietary messaging service. iMessages are a secure form of text, photo, and video messaging across Apple devices. They can only be sent from and received by an Apple device, like an iPhone, iPad, or a Mac.

Top iMessage Recovery Software

1. Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone

Stellar is a known name across the data recovery world, with top-of-the-line products and services. Stellar has been the industry leader for the past 25 years, with awards and accolades to go along with it. When they launched their iPhone Data Recovery Software, they packed years of expertise, experience, and technological advancement in that software. The software is dedicated to simplifying the lives of iPhone users by offering data recovery in every possible way. Among the many options for recovery, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone software also recovers iMessages easily.

The top Features of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone:

• Apart from the iMessages, it also recovers photos, videos, contacts, call logs, text messages, photo streams, voice memos, camera roll, app data, and so on. It is a single solution for all iPhone users.
• It also recovers your messages, including attachments, from messaging apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, and Tango.
• The preview feature lets you pick the data you want to recover and discard the unwanted data.
• It also allows for recovering desired data from iCloud and iTunes while not affecting the current iPhone data.

The best iPhone Message Recovery software, and more, are available for both Windows and Mac. It supports iOS 15 and all the versions below. In addition, it is compatible with all the iPhone series, including the iPhone 14 series.

Steps to Recover iMessages using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone

• Download and install Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to your computer. It is available for both Windows and Mac users.
• Use your data cable to connect your Apple device to your computer.
• Run Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.
• Select the ‘Recover from iPhone’ option on the main screen.

• Select the data type you want to recover.
• Click ‘Next’ to begin the scanning process.
• Preview the data available to recover.
• Select the required data and click ‘Save’ to start recovering the data.
• You can also recover from iTunes or iCloud backup and follow the same steps.

2. Dr. Fone for iOS

Dr. Fone for iOS comes from the house of Wondershare, which supports a wide array of data recovery on iOS. In addition, it has a preview feature to sneak a peek at any deleted messages before recovering them. Dr. Fone has an excellent scanning procedure that is also uncomplicated.

The top Features of Dr. Fone for iOS:

• Fast Data Recovery
• Compatible with all the iPhones
• Recover from iTunes, iCloud, as well as iPhone

3. Primo iPhone Data Recovery

It is also a wonderful iPhone messages recovery application that provides assured results. It enables one to recover any deleted message regardless of the circumstance. For example, it can result from water damage, forgotten passwords, update failures, etc. Primo iPhone Data Recovery uses three settings of recuperation to guarantee a greater success rate as an iMessage recovery software. The problem with Primo is that it works only with iPhone 7 and earlier versions.

The top features of Primo iPhone Data Recovery:

• Recover any of the top 25 file types from any iPhone.
• Three recovery settings, from simple to deep recovery.

4. PhoneRescue for iOS

PhoneRescue is also among the best iMessage recovery software that has helped many users recover their lost data on iPhone devices. In addition, it features easier operating steps that don’t require the user to be tech-savvy, as even casual users can follow the steps, making it a choice application for the users.

The top features of PhoneRescue for iOS:

• Recovers iMessages safely, and no other person can access your data.
• It can help you restore deleted messages/iMessage to your iPhone’s messaging application directly.
• You can preview and then choose the message before restoring them.
• No backup is needed to recover 31 file types with ease.

5. ApowerRescue

ApowerRescue is a high-grade iMessages recovery software for iPhone users. It allows one to recover missing messages easily. ApowerRescue provides extensive device scanning for iPhones, iCloud backup, and iTunes backup to help one recover any erased data. It can recover lost information even if your gadget isn’t easily accessible, is stuck on the Apple Logo, or has a white or black screen. ApowerRescue supports up to iPhone XS Max and iPad Pro models.

The top features of ApowerRescue are:

• Recovers iMessages safely, and no other person can access your data.
• It can help you restore deleted messages/iMessage to your iPhone’s messaging application directly.
• You can preview and then choose the message before restoring them.
• No backup is needed to recover 31 file types with ease.

6. 7thShare iPhone Data Recovery

The 7thShare iPhone Data Recovery has been one of the best iMessage recovery software in terms of its ease of use, speed, usage, and efficiency. It recovers lost data in two ways: from iphone as well as from iTunes backup.

The top features of 7thShare iPhone Data Recovery are:

• It recovers deleted messages more quickly.
• The recovery of files is selective.
• No skills are required.
• Clean and user-friendly interface.

7. iMyFone D-Back

iMyFone D-Back is the best software for fast recovery of data from iPhones with only access to the iCloud account. It is good for recovering mistakenly erased files and messages, even in case of a factory reset. iMyFone D-Back is an iPhone Data Recovery software application specially produced for iOS 9 to iOS 15 gadgets. Thus, it came in handy for different use cases like sync issues. It can recover all data files and information supported with various other programs.

The top features of iMyFone D-Back are:

• Powerful recovery through an intelligent integrated algorithm of iMyFone D-Back.
• You can sneak a peek at the content before recovering it.
• It enables selective recovery of data that stays clear of overwriting existing data.
• It has 3 data healing modes.
• It can be used to recover complete information.

8. MobiKin Doctor for iOS

MobiKin Doctor for iOS works great when looking for easy and quick recovery from iOS devices and iTunes backup. The application supports most iPods, iPhones, as well as iPads. Recovering data from the internal storage of your devices, like contacts and iMessages, works like a breeze. This great iMessage recovery software can also recover many other file types, like videos, music, books, attachments, calendar, etc.

The top Features of MobiKin Doctor for iOS are:

• Preview and recover data from iPhone’s internal memory without any backup.
• Pick only the files you want to recover through previews.
• Recover from iPhone easily.

9. Aiseesoft Fonelab

Aiseesoft Fonelab focuses on the ease of recovery, ensuring that technology helps even the ones who don’t understand. A simple, step-by-step process allows you to recover data from one iOS device to another. Among the best iPhone message recovery software, it can recover from iOS, iTunes Backup, or iCloud backup.

The top features of Aiseesoft Fonelab are:

• Data recovery is independent of the method of data loss.
• Export recovered data to other iOS devices.
• Supports both old and new iPhones.

10. Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery

Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery is designed to improve the efficiency of data recovery. It recovers accidentally deleted iMessages, while also recovering other file types, like photos, videos, messages, notes, etc.

The top features of Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery are:

• It allows you to recover deleted messages and contacts without backup.
• In addition, you can preview your iMessages before recovery.
• You can also transfer data to your computer using the software.

Recovering lost data with the best iMessage Recovery Software

Technological advancements have meant that there are several options available for the recovery of data. iMessages can be recovered using any software with or without iTunes/iCloud backup. However, we recommend Stellar due to its stellar record in data recovery. The software needs no introduction, and reviews have consistently pitched Stellar’s Data Recovery solutions to consumers for their ease of use and efficiency.

FAQs

How do I recover all my iMessages?

You can recover all your iMessages by connecting your iPhone to your computer, opening iTunes, and finding your backup. If the backup doesn’t recover all iMessages, you can try one of the best iMessage recovery software, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

Are deleted iMessages gone forever?

Deleted iMessages may seem scary, but they aren’t gone forever. You can always find them in iTunes or iCloud backups. In addition, you can try the top iPhone message recovery software listed above if they’re not there.

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