iPhone Data Recovery
Get Your Photos Back From a Dead or Water-Damaged iPhone
We specialize in recovering data from iPhones that won't turn on, have liquid damage, or are "not detected" by your computer. Our board-level repair gets your phone working just long enough to safely copy your photos, messages, and contacts.
Free evaluation. If we can't recover your data, you don't pay.
What happened to your iPhone?
Select your situation below to see how we can help
Water or Liquid Damage
Phone got wet and now won't turn on, or it died days after water exposure. We remove corrosion and repair the power circuits to recover your data.
Typical cost: $300 - $650
Phone Won't Turn On
Went dead overnight or won't charge? We diagnose the board and fix just enough to boot it and copy your data safely.
Typical cost: $300 - $650
Not Detected by Computer
Phone turns on but iTunes or Finder won't see it? This often points to a charging port or board issue we can fix.
Typical cost: $300 - $450
Transparent Pricing
You get a firm quote after our free evaluation. If recovery turns out easier than expected, you pay less. If we can't recover your data, you pay nothing.
Pre-X iPhones
Older devices without Face ID. Simpler power paths make recovery more straightforward.
$300 - $450
iPhone X and Newer
Face ID models with higher integration. More complex board work required.
$450 - $650
Complex Cases
Severe corrosion, heavy jumper work, or long screw damage requiring extensive repair.
Quoted after evaluation
Important: Don't repeatedly power on a water-damaged iPhone. Every attempt can worsen corrosion and damage the storage power rails.
How We Recover Your Data
Our goal is simple: get your phone working just long enough to safely copy your data. We don't restore phones for daily use; we focus entirely on your files.
Evaluate
We document the symptoms, model, and any prior repair attempts. No charge for evaluation.
Repair the Board
Microsoldering to replace damaged components, repair traces, and restore power to the storage.
Copy Your Data
Once stable, we boot the phone, enter the passcode, and safely image all your files.
Deliver
Your data is copied to a new drive or your own media. We verify key files before delivery.
Why Choose Rossmann?
iPhone data recovery requires board-level repair skill, not magic software. We do all the work in-house at our Austin lab using the same techniques we teach to millions on YouTube.
Board-Level Expertise
Microsoldering, PMIC diagnostics, and trace repair. Real engineering, not software tricks.
Transparent Pricing
Upfront price ranges, free evaluation. No data recovered means no payment.
Nationwide Mail-In
Ship from anywhere in the U.S. Clear instructions and fast turnaround.
Proven Track Record
2.49M+ YouTube subscribers. 4.9 star average across hundreds of reviews.
What Makes Us Different
Why iPhone Data Recovery Is Different
iPhone data recovery has nothing in common with hard drive recovery. With a hard drive, technicians can image the platters or read NAND chips directly. With an iPhone, that is physically impossible.
Encryption challenges:
Every iPhone since the 5s uses hardware encryption tied to the CPU and Secure Enclave. Your photos, messages, and contacts are encrypted with keys that only exist inside the processor on your specific phone. No one can remove the storage chip and read it on another device. The decryption keys cannot be extracted, cloned, or bypassed.
This means there is exactly one path to your data: repair the logic board enough to boot the phone, enter the passcode, and copy the files directly from the running device. That is board-level microsoldering work; not software, not "chip-off," and not magic.
This is why your passcode is required, why software tools cannot help, and why Apple's "replace the whole phone" approach means they cannot recover your data.
Data Recovery Software Will Not Help a Dead iPhone
If you search "iPhone data recovery," you will find dozens of ads for software like Dr.Fone, UltData, and PhoneRescue. These programs only work on phones that are already functioning. They scan iTunes or iCloud backups, or communicate with a working phone over USB. If your iPhone is dead, water-damaged, or won't turn on, no software on earth can reach the data.
Software Tools
- Require a phone that powers on and connects via USB
- Read from iTunes/iCloud backups you already have
- Cannot access encrypted storage on a dead device
- Typically $50-$100 for software that does nothing useful
Board-Level Repair
- Works on phones that are dead, water-damaged, or broken
- Repairs the hardware so the phone boots again
- Accesses data directly from the running device
- The only method that works for physically damaged iPhones
Save your money. If your phone won't turn on, no download will fix that.
Apple Does Not Offer Data Recovery
If you took your broken iPhone to the Apple Store, they likely told you the data is gone and offered a replacement device. Apple does not do board-level repair. Their service model is to swap the entire phone, which means your data stays on the old board and goes in the bin.
This does not mean your data is unrecoverable. It means Apple does not have the tools or business model to recover it. Board-level repair labs routinely recover data from devices Apple has declared dead. The storage chip inside your iPhone is remarkably durable; in most cases, the data is still there. The phone just cannot access it because of a failed power circuit, corroded connector, or damaged trace.
Before you accept "unrecoverable": If Apple, a local repair shop, or another lab told you recovery is not possible, get a second opinion from a board-level repair specialist. "We can't do it" is not the same as "it can't be done."
What To Do Right Now
If your iPhone just stopped working or got wet, follow these steps immediately.
Stop trying to turn it on
Every power-on attempt on a water-damaged phone can short corroded circuits and destroy components needed for recovery. If it fell in water, do not plug it in and do not press the power button.
Do not put it in rice
Rice does not fix corrosion. Water wicks under shielding and corrodes microscopic components on the logic board. Drying the outside does nothing for the damage already happening inside. Rice wastes time while corrosion spreads.
Do not try data recovery software
Software requires a working phone connected via USB. It cannot communicate with a dead device. Downloading software will not help and you will waste money.
Contact a board-level repair lab
The sooner a technician opens the phone, cleans the board, and stops the corrosion, the better your chances. Time is the biggest factor in water damage recovery. Contact us for a free evaluation or ship it to our lab.
What iPhone Data Recovery Actually Costs
Pricing in this industry varies wildly because some companies use "value-based pricing"; they charge based on how desperate you are, not what the work actually costs. Here is what you can expect.
| DriveSavers | Rossmann Group | |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Recovery | $3,000 - $4,000+ | $300 - $650 |
| Evaluation Fee | Free (cursory; no board diagnostics) | Free (full board-level inspection) |
| Cancellation Fee | Yes (recently introduced) | None |
| Who Does the Work | Varies; some outsource | In-house, Austin lab |
| Talk to Technician | Usually a salesperson | Yes, directly |
| Repair Process on Video | "Proprietary methods" | Streamed on YouTube |
Ontrack (formerly Kroll Ontrack) is another large lab Apple refers to. Their iPhone recovery pricing typically ranges from $500 to $1,650. Like DriveSavers, their core expertise is hard drives and enterprise storage, not iPhone board-level microsoldering.
Why the gap? It comes down to overhead, pricing models, and what their "evaluation" actually involves. Read our detailed breakdown.
Why DriveSavers Charges $3,000+ for iPhone Recovery
DriveSavers is primarily a hard drive recovery lab. Their pricing model was built for hard drives, where data is often partially recoverable and they charge based on what percentage they get back. The problem is that iPhone recovery does not work that way.
Why Percentage Pricing Doesn't Work
When we repair an iPhone logic board so it boots and you enter your passcode, 100% of the data is there. Every photo, every message, every contact. iPhone data recovery is all-or-nothing because the encryption means either the phone boots and you get everything, or it does not boot and you get nothing. DriveSavers' percentage-based model means they always charge the top of their quote range for any recoverable iPhone, because the recoverable percentage will always be 100%.
Their "Free Evaluation" Often Skips Board Diagnostics
DriveSavers' free evaluations frequently do not involve opening the phone or performing board-level diagnostics. This leads to situations where they quote thousands of dollars for problems that turn out to be straightforward hardware fixes. Documented examples include:
$2,800 DriveSavers quote
Actual problem: a bad screen. A screen replacement fixed the phone and recovered all data.
Source: "How to Replace an iPhone Screen for $2800" — Jessa Jones, iPad Rehab
$3,500 DriveSavers quote
Actual problem: also a bad screen. Apple had damaged the phone during a prior repair. The phone was fully functional once the screen was replaced.
Source: "Apple BROKE Megan's Phone. I lose my mind." — Jessa Jones, iPad Rehab
$900 - $2,000 DriveSavers quote
Actual problem: a broken screen. A local repair shop fixed the phone for a fraction of the cost.
Source: "An Important Message About DriveSavers" — Louis Rossmann
When an evaluation does not include opening the phone and inspecting the board, the technician cannot tell you what is actually wrong. They give a range quote that covers every possible scenario, and the customer pays for the worst case even when the actual problem is simple.
Cancellation Fees and the Apple Referral Pipeline
DriveSavers recently introduced cancellation fees that discourage customers from seeking a second opinion after receiving a high quote. A legitimate repair shop should never penalize you for getting another estimate.
Apple refers customers to DriveSavers because Apple does not do board-level repair themselves. Apple Store employees hand out DriveSavers cards at the Genius Bar when they cannot help. This is a business referral arrangement, not a technical endorsement. It does not mean DriveSavers is the best or most cost-effective option for iPhone recovery specifically.
"Unrecoverable" Does Not Always Mean Unrecoverable
Multiple independent labs have successfully recovered data from devices that DriveSavers declared unrecoverable. "Unrecoverable" sometimes means "we do not have the microsoldering capability to fix this specific board issue." DriveSavers is a hard drive lab. Their strength is platters, RAID arrays, and enterprise storage. iPhone board-level repair requires a different skill set entirely.
A note on marketing imagery: DriveSavers' website has featured photos of technicians working on the baseband power management chip on an iPhone X lower board. That chip is not required for the iPhone to boot for data recovery. The entire lower board of the iPhone X does not contain user data and is irrelevant to iPhone data recovery.
What DriveSavers Charges vs. What the Problem Actually Was
Louis Rossmann breaks down a real case where DriveSavers quoted $900-$2,000 for an iPhone that needed a screen replacement. The customer found a local shop that fixed the phone for a fraction of the cost.
Full breakdown and discussionHow to Choose an iPhone Data Recovery Service
Not every "data recovery" company actually does iPhone board-level work. Many are middlemen who ship your phone to someone else and add a markup. Before sending your phone anywhere, ask these questions.
Do you do board-level repair in-house?
If they outsource it, you are paying a middleman. Ask where the actual work happens.
Can I talk to the technician who will work on my phone?
At big labs, you talk to a salesperson. A good shop lets you talk to the person doing the repair.
What does your 'free evaluation' actually include?
Some companies look at the outside of the phone and give a range quote. A real evaluation means opening the phone and inspecting the board.
What is your actual price range for my model?
If they won't give you a range until they have your phone, that is a red flag. Legitimate shops can give you a ballpark based on model and symptoms.
Are there cancellation fees if I decline?
Some labs charge fees to discourage you from getting a second opinion after seeing their quote.
Can I see examples of your work?
Ask for videos, case studies, or reviews showing actual board-level repair. Transparency is the best trust signal.
Watch Real iPhone Data Recoveries
We stream our repair work on YouTube so you can see exactly what we do. No "proprietary methods"; just skill, experience, and a microscope.
Water Damage Recovery
Board-level repair of an iPhone 6S Plus after liquid damage. Power rail diagnosis, corrosion cleanup, and successful data extraction.
Full breakdown and transcriptDead Logic Board Recovery
Complete walkthrough of recovering data from a completely dead iPhone. Short circuit diagnosis, capacitor-level repair, and successful boot for data extraction.
Full breakdown and transcriptTechnical Details
For those who want to understand what actually goes wrong and how we fix it. Click to expand each section.
Long Screw Damage (LSD)
Phone died after a screen repair? Wrong screw length can sever internal traces.
Long Screw Damage (LSD)
Phone died after a screen repair? Wrong screw length can sever internal traces.
Long screw damage happens when an over-length screw is driven into the standoff near the display connector. It drills through inner PCB layers and cuts traces for image, touch, or boot-critical nets.
Our fix: Remove torn copper, reconstruct the path with micro-jumpers, protect with conformal coating, then stabilize for data imaging.
Apple Says Recovery Isn't Possible
Why Apple support says no, and why they're wrong.
Apple Says Recovery Isn't Possible
Why Apple support says no, and why they're wrong.
Apple's service model is device replacement, not board-level repair. They don't offer data recovery because their business model doesn't include component-level work.
iPhone storage is hardware-encrypted to the CPU and Secure Enclave, so "chip-off" reads won't work. The only path to your data is to repair the logic board enough to boot, enter the passcode, and export your files.
Board-level repair labs like ours routinely recover data Apple says is lost.
Why "Rice" and Drying Don't Work
Water corrodes components under shields. Drying doesn't fix electrical damage.
Why "Rice" and Drying Don't Work
Water corrodes components under shields. Drying doesn't fix electrical damage.
Water wicks under RF shields where it corrodes capacitors and IC pins on critical power lines. That's why "rice" or simple drying fails. The corrosion causes electrical shorts that prevent the phone from booting.
Proper treatment: Remove shields, ultrasonic clean the board, diagnose and repair damaged power paths, then boot long enough to copy your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions. Click any question to see the full answer.
Can you get data off a dead iPhone?
Can you recover data from a water-damaged iPhone?
Can I recover data without a backup?
Can Apple recover my data?
What if my phone died after a screen repair?
How long does recovery take?
What if you cannot recover my data?
Do I need to know my passcode?
How much does iPhone data recovery cost?
Does data recovery software work on a dead iPhone?
What should I do if my iPhone gets wet?
Can data be recovered from an iPhone that was in water for days?
Is iPhone data recovery worth it?
Why does Apple say data recovery is not possible?
What is the difference between a big lab and an independent repair shop?
Is DriveSavers worth it for iPhone data recovery?
Why is DriveSavers so expensive for iPhone recovery?
Are there cheaper alternatives to DriveSavers for iPhone data recovery?
Ready to recover your iPhone data?
Get a free evaluation and honest assessment of your recovery chances. No data, no fee.