How to Recover Deleted Notes on iPhone and Mac
TL;DR: You can recover deleted notes on iPhone and Mac through the Recently Deleted folder (within 30 days), iCloud.com, Time Machine backups, or third-party recovery tools. Act quickly as permanently deleted notes may be unrecoverable without backups.
I've accidentally deleted important notes multiple times and know the panic that follows. Whether it's meeting notes, personal reminders, or creative ideas, losing notes can be frustrating. Fortunately, Apple provides several recovery options if you act quickly. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through all the proven methods to recover deleted notes on both iPhone and Mac.
Understanding How Apple Notes Recovery Works
Before diving into recovery methods, it's helpful to understand how Apple handles deleted notes. When you delete a note, it doesn't immediately vanish forever. Instead, Apple moves it to a "Recently Deleted" folder where it remains for 30 days before permanent deletion^1. This gives you a generous window to recover accidentally deleted content.
Notes sync across devices using iCloud when enabled, which means recovery methods might vary depending on your sync settings. The key is to act quickly—the sooner you attempt recovery, the better your chances of success.
Method 1: Recover from Recently Deleted Folder (iPhone & Mac)
The easiest and most straightforward method is using the built-in Recently Deleted folder. This works on both iPhone and Mac:
On iPhone:
- Open the Notes app
- Tap "Folders" in the top-left corner
- Select "Recently Deleted" from the list
- Tap "Edit" in the top-right corner
- Select the notes you want to recover
- Tap "Move To" and choose a destination folder
On Mac:
- Open the Notes app
- Click "Recently Deleted" in the sidebar
- Select the notes you want to recover
- Right-click and choose "Move To" or use the recover button
This method only works within 30 days of deletion. After that period, notes are permanently removed from this folder.
Method 2: Recover Deleted Notes via iCloud.com
If you use iCloud sync for notes, you can recover deleted notes through the web interface:
- Go to icloud.com/notes in any web browser^1
- Sign in with your Apple ID credentials
- Select "Recently Deleted" from the folder list on the left^3
- Choose the notes you want to recover
- Click the "Recover" button
The recovered notes will sync back to all your devices connected to the same iCloud account. This method is particularly useful if you don't have access to your iPhone or Mac at the moment.
Method 3: Restore from iCloud or iTunes Backup
If you've missed the 30-day window, you might still recover notes from a backup:
From iCloud Backup:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups
- Check when your last backup occurred
- If it contains your notes, you may need to erase your device and restore from backup
From iTunes/Finder Backup:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer
- Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later)
- Select your device and choose "Restore Backup"
Note: Restoring from backup will replace all current data on your device with the backup content, so this should be a last resort option.
Method 4: Using Time Machine on Mac
Mac users with Time Machine enabled have another recovery option:
- Open the folder where Notes are stored: ~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.notes/
- Enter Time Machine from the menu bar
- Navigate to when your notes were still available
- Select the notes database files and restore them
This method requires technical knowledge and regular Time Machine backups to be effective.
Method 5: Third-Party Recovery Tools
When built-in methods fail, specialized recovery software can sometimes help:
- iPhone Data Recovery tools: Software like Dr.Fone, iMobie PhoneRescue, or Tenorshare UltData can scan your device for deleted notes
- Mac Data Recovery tools: Disk Drill, Data Rescue, or EaseUS Data Recovery can attempt to recover deleted notes from your hard drive
These tools work by scanning storage sectors for residual data, but success isn't guaranteed, especially if the data has been overwritten.
Common Mistakes When Trying to Recover Notes
I've seen people make these errors that reduce recovery chances:
- Continuing to use the device heavily after deletion, which overwrites deleted data
- Not checking Recently Deleted immediately after noticing notes are missing
- Assuming iCloud sync is enabled when it might be turned off for notes
- Restoring from outdated backups without checking content first
- Panicking and trying multiple methods simultaneously, potentially causing conflicts
Comparison of Recovery Methods
| Method | Success Rate | Time Required | Technical Difficulty | Data Loss Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recently Deleted Folder | High | <5 minutes | Easy | None |
| iCloud.com Recovery | High | 5-10 minutes | Easy | None |
| iCloud Backup Restore | Medium | 30+ minutes | Moderate | Potential current data loss |
| Time Machine Recovery | Medium | 15-30 minutes | Advanced | None if done correctly |
| Third-Party Tools | Variable | 30+ minutes | Moderate | Low |
Step-by-Step: Recover Permanently Deleted Notes from iPhone
If you've emptied the Recently Deleted folder, follow this detailed process:
- Stop using your iPhone immediately to prevent data overwriting
- Check your iCloud.com Recently Deleted folder as a first resort
- Verify your backup status in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups
- Consider third-party software if no backup exists
- As a last resort, restore from iCloud backup (erases current data)
- Contact Apple Support if nothing else works—they might have additional options
Prevention: How to Avoid Losing Notes in the Future
Based on my experience, these practices can save you from future headaches:
- Enable iCloud sync for Notes in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud
- Regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud or computer
- Use Time Machine on your Mac for automatic backups
- Export important notes as PDF or text files for additional security
- Be cautious when deleting—double-check before confirming deletion
- Use folders to organize notes rather than mass deletion
Case Study: Recovering Business Meeting Notes
A colleague recently accidentally deleted crucial meeting notes containing project deadlines and client requirements. Here's how we recovered them:
- First, we checked the Recently Deleted folder on iPhone—not there (already emptied)
- Accessed iCloud.com—found the notes in Recently Deleted there
- Recovered them to the Notes folder
- The notes synced back to all devices within minutes
- Implemented a new backup strategy including weekly note exports
This incident highlighted the importance of iCloud.com as a secondary recovery point even after emptying the Recently Deleted folder on devices.
When Recovery Isn't Possible: Next Steps
If you've exhausted all recovery options without success:
- Recreate from memory as soon as possible while details are fresh
- Check related documents—sometimes note content exists in emails, messages, or other apps
- Ask colleagues if you shared the notes or discussed the content
- Implement better systems moving forward to prevent recurrence
Checklist for Note Recovery Attempts
- Check iPhone Recently Deleted folder
- Check Mac Recently Deleted folder
- Access iCloud.com Recently Deleted
- Verify iCloud backup status and date
- Check computer backups (Time Machine/iTunes)
- Consider third-party recovery tools
- Contact Apple Support if needed
Glossary of Terms
- Recently Deleted Folder: Temporary storage where deleted notes remain for 30 days
- iCloud Sync: Apple's service that keeps notes consistent across devices
- Time Machine: macOS backup feature that saves versions of files over time
- Data Overwriting: When new data occupies storage space previously used by deleted files
- Third-Party Recovery Tools: Software designed to extract residual data from storage devices
Conclusion: Act Quickly for Best Results
Recovering deleted notes is usually possible if you act quickly using the right methods. Start with the Recently Deleted folder on your devices or iCloud.com, then move to backups if needed. The key is to avoid further device use that might overwrite the deleted data.
Ready to recover your notes? Start with the simplest method first: open your Notes app and check the Recently Deleted folder right now. The sooner you act, the better your chances of successful recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do deleted notes stay in the Recently Deleted folder?
A: Deleted notes remain in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days before being permanently erased^1.
Q: Can I recover notes after emptying the Recently Deleted folder?
A: Yes, through iCloud.com's Recently Deleted (if synced), backups, or third-party recovery tools, though success isn't guaranteed.
Q: Do I need iCloud enabled to recover deleted notes?
A: While iCloud provides additional recovery options, you can still use device-specific Recently Deleted folders without iCloud sync.
Q: Why did my notes disappear without me deleting them?
A: This can happen due to sync issues, account problems, or software glitches. Check all devices and iCloud.com before assuming permanent loss^10.
Q: Can I recover notes from a broken iPhone?
A: If you had iCloud sync enabled, your notes should be accessible on other devices or iCloud.com. Otherwise, you may need professional data recovery services.
Q: Are third-party note recovery tools safe to use?
A: Reputable tools from established companies are generally safe, but always research and download from official websites to avoid malware.
References
Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Deleted Notes
- Check Recently Deleted Folder: Open the Notes app, tap "Folders" in the top-left, and select "Recently Deleted." If your note is there, select it and tap "Recover" in the bottom-right corner^1.
- Use iCloud.com: Sign in at iCloud.com/notes, click "Recently Deleted" in the sidebar, select your note, and click "Recover"^1.
- Restore from Backup: If you have an iTunes or iCloud backup, restore your device from that backup—but note this will replace all current data with the backup's state^2.
- Try Third-Party Tools: As a last resort, use reputable software like Wondershare Recoverit or similar tools, following their instructions to scan for deleted notes^7.
Pros and Cons of Each Recovery Method
- Recently Deleted Folder:
- Pros: Free, immediate, no extra tools needed.
- Cons: Only works within 30 days; if emptied, notes are gone^1.
- iCloud.com:
- Pros: Accessible from any device, works even if phone is broken.
- Cons: Requires iCloud sync enabled; same 30-day limit^1.
- Backup Restoration:
- Pros: Can recover notes beyond 30 days if backed up.
- Cons: Overwrites all current data; not ideal for recent changes^2.
- Third-Party Tools:
- Pros: Can recover notes even without backups.
- Cons: Often paid; risk of malware if not from trusted sources^7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I deleted a note from the Recently Deleted folder?
A: Unfortunately, once removed from Recently Deleted, recovery relies solely on backups or third-party tools—no built-in option exists^2.
Q: Can I recover notes if I never used iCloud?
A: Yes, your device's Recently Deleted folder works without iCloud, but you lose the iCloud.com recovery option^1.
Q: How do I prevent note loss in the future?
A: Regularly back up your device via iCloud or iTunes, and avoid manually emptying the Recently Deleted folder unless sure^2.
Q: Are notes stored locally on my device?
A: Yes, they're saved in your device's storage, but iCloud syncs them across devices if enabled^8.
