Recover Data From Your iPhone - Deleted Contacts, Deleted SMS, Deleted Text Messages, & More.
Paraben's iRecovery Stick is a revolutionary new product designed to recover deleted data from Apple iPhones*. The iRecovery Stick (iRS) is a thumb-drive USB device, about the size of a stick of gum, that will help you recover deleted data as well as other data from your Apple iPhone. Simply connect the iPhone to any PC with the cable included with the iRS and then connect the stick to the same computer through a USB port. Once the two devices are connected; run the built-in software on the iRS and recover the data you are looking for with the click of a button.

The data recovery process will take several hours to complete. However, the iRS is capable of recovering different types of deleted data including text messages, contacts, call history, and calendar entries. The recovery process will also download the contents of the phone such as contacts, call history, text messages, pictures, and all other user data that can normally be backed up. Because of its versatile recovery capabilities and easy-to-use interface, the iRecovery Stick is ideal for professionals who have accidentally deleted important files, employers who have issued iPhones to employees for business purposes, concerned parents, or anyone who may have a need to retrieve a deleted item from an iPhone.

Recover Data Tracking Points!
Now you can track exactly where your iPhone has been. The latest version of the iRecovery Stick allows you to download the data tracking points stored on your iPhone for iOS versions through 4.3.2. Apple stopped storing this data in areas recoverable by the iRecovery Stick in iOS version 4.3.3. If your phone is running iOS v4.3.2 or earlier, the iRecovery Stick will recover every data location point stored in your phone. One phone we tested this feature on had over 10,000 tracking points showing a detailed history of every location that phone was in for the last two years. The data is displayed in Google Earth (Free software - separate install) and includes time/date stamps of each location.

The iRecovery Stick runs on Windows XP, Vista, 2000, and 7. It currently supports iPhones running any OS through iOS 4.3.3. It does not currently work on Mac computers.

*Please Note: You must have the PIN for locked phones before performing a recovery.

Who Needs an iRecovery Stick?

Professionals
With so much communication in today's business world taking place via smart phones like the iPhone, a lot of important information is stored within them. Not everyone backs-up their iPhone by saving copies of their data onto a computer hard drive. And even if you do, recently received data can easily be deleted. If you have ever accidentally deleted an important text message, contact, or calendar entry, the iRecovery Stick can be a life-saver vital tool.

Employers
Are your company secrets being leaked right under your nose? Employees using company-issued iPhones can not only waste hours of time chatting and texting with family and friends, they can use their iPhones to send sensitive data to anyone. If your employees have company-issued iPhones you have the right to monitor how they are being used.

Parents
Child predators do not only lurk in chat rooms online. Upon gaining a child's trust, they often start communicating with them through text messages or even phone calls. Cyber bullies can also victimize children through abusive text messages and harassing phone calls. No matter what the reason, every parent whose child uses an iPhone should regularly check out what they are doing on it.

With the iRecovery Stick, you don't even need the iPhone to know everything that's going on. Simply load the iTunes backup file from a PC and you'll see everything you need including deleted data.

Product Features

Recovers Data From iTunes Backup Files
The iRecovery Stick can recover deleted data even if you don't have the phone. Simply load the iTunes backup files created in Windows and the stick will recover the same types of data it recovers from the phone itself.

More Than Just Deleted Data
The iRecovery Stick recovers all sorts of user data such as call logs, contacts, SMS messages, Internet history, dynamic text history, and much more.

Portable
Because the iRecovery software is embedded in a USB thumb drive, you can easily take it anywhere and use it on any computer you own.

Easy-to-Use
If you can connect an iPhone and the iRecovery Stick to the same computer and click "Start", then you can recover data from an iPhone. The iRS also has data parsing functions which will separate all of the data into their corresponding category and even allow you to output it to a report.

Inconspicuous
The iRecovery Stick resembles a standard, commonly-used, USB thumb-drive. Also, a common way to charge an iPhone is to connect it to a computer. No one would suspect the device can be used to recover deleted data from the iPhone.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7


iRecovery Stick - How it Works
Usually, recovering deleted data from cell phones is only possible using special software designed for computer forensic investigations or for updating the firmware on the phone. There are many products that recover deleted text messages from SIM cards, however; iPhones do not store user data on SIM cards making such products useless for iPhone users.

The iRecovery Stick (iRS) uses the same computer forensic software produced by Paraben Corporation which is used by law enforcement and computer forensic investigators around the world to download as much data from the iPhone as possible without altering the phone in any way. The process is simple. Connect your iPhone to your Windows based computer (cancel the iTunes Sync if it starts) and connect the iRS to the same computer. Open the iRS drive and run the iRS.exe program. Once open, click the "Start" button and the recovery process will begin. Due to the deep level data recovery, the process can take from 15 minutes to several hours to complete. Once completed, you will immediately be able to see all the data recovered from the iPhone. The majority of the data will be normal user data that has never been deleted. You will also be able to easily view all deleted data that has been recovered.

Deleted data on a phone is a tricky thing. When data is deleted from the phone, the phone marks the data as deleted and no longer displays it on the phone. This data may immediately be overwritten by the phone or it may be available for recovery until new data overwrites it. With most cell phones, new data is written over deleted space first so only the most recent data can be recovered.

Recovering Data From iTunes Backup Files
The iRecovery Stick can recover deleted data from iTunes backup files stored on your Windows based system. Simply select to recover from backup files, navigate to the manifest.plist file in the iTunes backup directory and start your recovery. You'll get the same information you would from the phone at the point the backup file was created.

How it Works

Plug the iRecovery Stick in First, plug your stick into a USB port on your computer.
Connect Your iPhone to the Computer Using the cable that came with your iRS, connect the iPhone to the same computer the iRS is plugged into.
Close iTunes If iTunes automatically opens, close it before the next step.
Open iRS.exe If your computer does not automatically ask you to open the newly attached thumb drive, go to My Computer and open the drive manually. Double click iRS.exe.
Click the Picture of The Phone A picture of phone should appear if it is properly connected to your computer. Click it and follow the instructions.
View the Results Once the data recovery is complete, you can view all the data from the phone in the special viewers within the iRS program.

*Do not remove the stick from your computer while the program is running.

General Questions:

How far back can I recover deleted data?
It depends on how much new information has been written to the phone since the data you need to recover was deleted. If you delete a text message and immediately receive another text message, you will likely not be able to recover the old message. However, you may be able to recover a portion of the message if the new text message is shorter, therefore taking up less space than the deleted message.

What types of data can I recover?
You can recover text messages, contacts, call history, and calendar entries from iPhones.

How do I update my iRecovery Stick?
Your iRecovery Stick comes with free updates. To update your iRecovery Stick, run the iRecovery Stick program, click on the Tools menu and select "Check for updates".

Does the iRecovery Stick run on Macs?
No. The iRecovery Stick only runs on Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 based operating systems.

How fast does it work?
Generally, recovery takes 20 minutes per GB of storage space on an iPhone, however, if there is very little data on the iPhone, it can take as little as 15 minutes. If you are loading backup files from iTunes, it only takes a few minutes to recover the data.

Does the iRecovery Stick leave anything on my computer?
Yes, the iRecovery Stick saves the data acquired from the iPhone in a case file located by default in C:Users{username}CasesCaseX.ds in Windows 7 and C:Documents and Settings{username}My DocumentsCasesCaseX.ds in Windows XP.

How do I return the product?
If you bought it from a retail store, you must contact them regarding their return policy. If the product arrives and is defective and you would like it repaired, please contact Paraben. If you accidentally delete the program on the stick or format the drive, you can send it to Paraben to be reprogrammed as long as you provide return shipping.

How do I check for updates that come out?
Updates do come out from time to time to ensure the most data possible and to support new versions of iOS (the iPhone operating system). Under the Tools menu at the top of the program is an update option. You must be connected to the Internet for it to complete an update.

Does this work on iPads/iTouch?
Yes, we are able to acquire these devices successfully, you will not get much from them, since they do not have text messages, contacts, nor call logs.

Does the iRecovery Stick recover emails or MMS?
No, iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches do not actually save emails or MMS messages in the backup files used for recovery.

Program and Interface Problems

I start up the iRecovery stick and either the program won't run, everything is grayed out and I can't click anything, or I plug the iRecovery Stick in and there is nothing on it at all. What's wrong?
This can happen when certain files are missing or have been corrupted on the iRecovery Stick or the iRecovery Stick was formated. Paraben can reprogram your stick if this happens. Go to http://support.paraben.com and request an RMA number and shipping instructions and we'll replace your product. Be sure to detail if the stick was working and suddenly stopped or if it never worked.

If you are on Windows 7, or Windows Vista, right click on the iRecoverystick.exe and click on "Run as administrator". This can fix the problem if you see the iRecovery Stick program and it simply won't run.

Sometimes, USB ports are bad. Try a different port or try it on another computer to be sure.

It worked once, but now the iRecovery program will not start up. What happened?
This can be caused by a conflict with Windows. Uninstall Paraben's iRecovery Stick Driver Pack through the Add/Remove wizard in Windows, restart the pc then reinstall the program.

When I try to run a recovery, the iRecovery Stick program crashes. What can I do?
This can occur when anti-virus or firewall programs prevent the iRecovery Stick from running properly. Disable any anti-virus/spyware/program blocking software and then reinstall the iRecovery Stick.

Sometimes, data on the phone is corrupt or there is something on the PC is causing a conflict with the program. You can help us trouble shoot the issue by turning on both logging options under Tools>Options. After the program crashes, you can send in the logs that are located in C:UsersUSERNAMELogs (Vista, Win 7), C:Documents and SettingsUsernameLogs (Win XP) at http://support.paraben.com. Please provide a brief description of the error and basic information about the PC, such as what OS you are running and what version of the iPhone you have.

Whenever I hit any button or combination of buttons it gives me an error message (either create minidump, or it just closes). What's wrong?
Something is blocking the iRecovery Stick from accessing certain features on Windows. Try right clicking on iRecoveryStick.exe and running as an administrator. If that does not work, try a different USB port, try a different cable, try a different iPhone if possible, or try a different computer. If that still does not work, go to http://support.paraben.com and submit a support request.

I receive an error saying the workspace is invalid (or something similar). What's wrong?
Go to tools, then options, and try to point the default location for the cases to your desktop.

Connection and Data Download Problems

For most recovery issues, please try the following. If none of these suggestions work, continue reading the FAQ for more specific answers:

1. Make sure iTunes is installed
2. Make sure the iPhone is not password locked
3. Make sure the phone has a valid SIM card in it
4. Make sure the iPhone is on the home screen
5. Try using a different cable
6. Put the iPhone in airplane mode
7. Run iRecovery.exe as administrator
8. Try a different USB port
9. Try a different computer
10. Try a different iPhone
11. Eliminate as many variables as possible so you can see what the problem is
12. Restart the iPhone
13. Try creating and importing a backup

It doesn't show a phone when I click on Start Recovery. What is going on?
The iPhone is not being detected by the iRecovery Stick and most likely not by Windows either. Make sure iTunes is installed but that it is not running. Make sure the phone is powered on and plugged into a working USB port on your computer. Make sure iTunes is installed and recognizes a phone was plugged in. Try multiple USB ports and a new cable. If nothing you try makes it so your computer can see the iPhone, you may need to create a backup in iTunes then load the backup files for recovery. This will recover the same data as doing a recovery directly from the phone.

I was in the middle of a recovery when the connection was lost. What happened?
The most common reason for this is because a phone call or message was received by the phone during the recovery or because the screen lock was activated. Put the phone in "Airplane Mode" and disable the screen lock to prevent this from happening during a recovery.

Another possibility is there is a corrupted file on the iPhone. To get around this, complete a backup of the iPhone using iTunes and load the backup file into the iRecovery Stick and it will recovery all available data.

Finally, a bad cable or defective iPhone can cause this problem. Try making a backup of the iPhone in iTunes. If you can create a backup, import this backup file into the iRecovery Stick. You will recover the same data from the backup as you would directly from the phone.

Importing Backup Files

We recommend that you import any old backup files before creating a new one. Old backup files may contain deleted data that has already been overwritten on the iPhone. Once you recover any old backup files, we recommend you create a new backup and import that as well.

How do I recover data from a backup?
On the main screen of the program, select "Start Import from iTunes Backup". This will open a screen giving you the option to open backups from iPhones running the iOS 1.x-2.x, 3.x, or 4.x. To determine the operating system of your iPhone, go to the settings App on your phone and select General then About. The line named Version will tell you which version of iOS you are running. After you have selected the proper backup import, you will be asked to browse to the manifest.plist file. Depending on your computer's operating system, the backup is located at:

Win XP, 2000 - Documents and SettingsUSERNAMEApplication DataApple ComputerMobileSyncBackup.
Vista, Win 7 - C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataRoamingApple ComputerMobileSyncBackup.

To view these files you must show hidden files, by right clicking on any file in the window and checking show hidden files. Each randomly named folder will be a DIFFERENT BACKUP, from a DIFFERENT DEVICE. Once you've selected the manifest.plist the acquisition will start.

Where is the iTunes backup file located so I can load it into the iRecovery Stick?
Open the manifest.plist file. You may need to right click on your backup folder and show hidden files.

Windows XP - Documents and SettingsUSERNAMEApplication DataApple ComputerMobileSyncBackuprandom numberletterchain manifest.plist
Windows Vista-7 - Vista, Win7--C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataRoamingApple ComputerMobileSyncBackuprandom numberletterchainmanifest.plist

To view these files you must show hidden files, by right clicking on any file in the window and checking show hidden files. Each randomly named folder will be a DIFFERENT BACKUP, from a DIFFERENT DEVICE. Once you've selected the manifest.plist the acquisition will start.

Can I get a backup from a Mac computer and copy it over to a windows computer?
No. Backups on Macintosh computers are formatted for the Mac file system and cannot be transferred or copied onto a windows machine. A new backup on the Windows machine can be made without causing any problems with the phone.

Recovered Data Questions

How come it didn't recover ANY deleted data?
The most likely reason is there is no recoverable deleted data. The backup file which iRecovery mounts is the same file that deleted data is recovered from. Sometimes, iPhones immediately overwrite deleted messages so they are unrecoverable. Apple indicates 4 milliseconds is all it takes to overwrite this data. No other program available to the public will be able to recover more data.

I completed a recovery but I don't see what I was looking for. What happened?
The iPhone has a set amount of memory locations that messages can be saved in. For the most part these are taken up by the messages still saved on the phone. If you only see a few "recovered" messages, this is because either the phone is full with other data or the messages have been overwritten. Running the phone through the iRecovery Stick multiple times or using another product will not recover any more data than the iRecovery Stick has already recovered.

I see multi-media files but can't open them. Why? To open multimedia files that are recovered with the iRecovery stick but not showing correctly, you'll first need to export them out of the iRecovery program to your computer (right-click on the file and select "Export"). After exporting out, they will usually show up as a binary.bin file. To open these files you will need to change the extension from *.bin to either *.amr or *.wav. These are the two most likely formats for Voice Memo's and Voicemails. If the file still does not open then it is most likely damaged or an incomplete file and cannot be opened.

Some of the recovered pictures aren't showing up. Why? To view Pictures that do not show correctly in the iRecovery stick, you'll first need to export them out to your computer (right-click on the file and select "Export"). After exporting out, they will usually show up as a binary.bin file. To open and view these files you will need to change the extension from *.bin to either *.jpg or *.png. If this doesn't work, you can try some of the other less common formats that pictures may be saved as such as *.bmp, *.gif, *.tif, *.wmf and *.emf. If the picture does not open correctly by changing to any of these extensions, then the file itself is most likely damaged or corrupted.

Some of the data types are blank after a recovery. Why?
First, try installing iTunes 9.2.1, even if you have to downgrade to it. Apple still has it posted on their website. Also other issues could be no SMS messages are actually stored on the phone. You should also try updating your iRecovery Stick or creating a backup and importing it.

How do I save a case file?
Go to file>Save as, and name it something so that you will be able to find it. Not just case 1. It should save as a filename.ds file, meaning you can transfer that file to different computers, and view it there. Also, since it is a .DS file, you can open it with Paraben's Device Seizure if you own it.

How do I open a case from a recovery I did earlier?
Open up iRecoveryStick.exe, and go to open workspace, and select your case file.

Deleted Data Recovery:





SMS Messages:





Contacts:





Photos:





Dynamic Text Data:





Voice Memos:





Internet History:





Tracking Point History:





Calendar Reminders:





Phone Properties: