Since 2008 | No Data, No Fee | Nationwide Mail-In | $300 - $650
iPhone Data Recovery Services
We recover data from iPhones that won't turn on, have liquid damage, or are not detected by your computer. Our Austin lab performs board-level microsoldering to get your phone working just long enough to safely copy your photos, messages, and contacts. No data = no charge.
iPhone data recovery at Rossmann Group costs $300 to $450 for pre-X models and $450 to $650 for iPhone X and newer. We recover photos, messages, and contacts from dead, water-damaged, and non-responsive iPhones through board-level microsoldering repair. Apple does not offer data recovery; their model is device replacement. We repair the logic board just enough for it to boot, enter your passcode, and copy data directly from the encrypted storage. No iCloud or iTunes backup is required. The evaluation is free; if we cannot recover your data, you pay nothing. Most recoveries complete in 2 to 7 business days after evaluation, with difficult cases taking several weeks. DriveSavers charges $3,000 to $4,000+ for the same board-level work. Walk in to our Austin lab or mail your iPhone in from anywhere in the U.S.
“Five weeks ago, my 10 year old daughter's 5th gen iPad stopped charging. My husband and I suspected a loose connection, but when we took it to Apple, they ran some test and concluded the logic board died. Since the iPad was set up under me when she got it (at the age of 6), I had disconnected her from *my* iCloud. Apple basically couldn't sell me a new iPad because we had no data backup.
Based on Apple's recommendation, we sent it to their data recovery partner, DriveSavers, who quoted me $2800 for data recovery due to "widespread corruption" on her logic board. We declined.”
“Great service! Walked in last minute after calling in for an estimated price on an ipad and macbookair. Ofcourse i understand things can change once my devices are actually looked at but i liked the fact i could get a quote. This made me actually want to come in. Once at the shop i was greeted and attended to quickly.”
“HIGHLIGHT & CONCLUSION
******Overall I'm having a good experience with this store because they have great customer services, best third party replacement parts, justify price for those replacement parts, short estimate waiting time to fix the device, 1 year warranty, and good prediction of pricing and the device life conditions whether it can fix it or not.”
“It took me a while to write this.
I visited this shop with high skepticism trying to have my iPhone fixed while traveling. I was expecting to hear oh you might as well buy a new phone or it will cost $500+ to fix this. I was shocked when I heard that it will cost me $120.88 to fix my phone in short time.
well done.”
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. See all service pricing for a complete breakdown.
📱
Pre-X iPhones
Older devices without Face ID. Simpler power paths make recovery more straightforward.
$300 - $450
Most Common
📲
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.
1
Evaluate
We document the symptoms, model, and any prior repair attempts. No charge for evaluation.
2
Repair the Board
Microsoldering to replace damaged components, repair traces, and restore power to the storage.
3
Copy Your Data
Once stable, we boot the phone, enter the passcode, and safely image all your files.
4
Deliver
Your data is copied to a new drive or your own media. We verify key files before delivery.
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.
iPhone data recovery has nothing in common with hard drive recovery. With a mechanical hard drive, technicians can image the platters. With a non-encrypted solid-state drive, technicians can sometimes read the NAND chips directly. Many modern SSDs use hardware encryption by default, which complicates direct NAND access. With an iPhone, no commercially viable method exists to do this.
Encryption challenges:
Every iPhone since the 5s relies on hardware-level Data Protection tied to the Secure Enclave coprocessor. The complete decryption chain requires the original paired NAND storage, the System-on-Chip (SoC) housing the Secure Enclave, and the user's passcode. Because of this cryptographic binding, traditional "chip-off" data extraction by desoldering just the storage chip is impossible; if the main SoC is physically fractured or destroyed, the keys are lost forever.
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.
Secure Enclave
A dedicated security coprocessor inside the iPhone's main chip. It stores encryption keys and handles passcode verification. If the Secure Enclave is physically destroyed, the data cannot be decrypted.
NAND Storage
The flash memory chip that holds all user data: photos, messages, contacts, and app data. NAND is durable and typically survives drops, water, and power failures. The data is encrypted at rest.
Logic Board
The main circuit board containing the CPU, Secure Enclave, NAND, power management IC (PMIC), and all supporting components. Board-level repair means diagnosing and replacing individual components on this board using a microscope and microsoldering iron.
Microsoldering
Soldering individual components (capacitors, resistors, ICs) on a circuit board under a microscope. In catastrophic data recovery, this extends to repairing severed internal copper traces, reconstructing ripped BGA mounting pads, and reballing critical chips on severely fractured logic boards. This is the core skill that separates board-level data recovery from standard phone repair.
Model Family
Encryption
Supported
iPhone 5s - 8 Plus
Secure Enclave
Yes
iPhone X - 11 Series
Secure Enclave
Yes
iPhone 12 - 14 Series
Secure Enclave
Yes
iPhone 15 - 16 Series
Secure Enclave
Case-by-case
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 recovery tools 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 specialists recover data Apple says is lost. 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."
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.
If your phone just got wet, follow these steps in order.
1
Do NOT plug it in or charge it
Plugging a wet phone in causes rapid electrolysis that destroys board components and traces. Leave the cable out.
2
Power off and dry the exterior
Power it off immediately and dry the outside thoroughly with a towel.
3
Do NOT open the SIM tray yet
If the phone is dripping wet, opening the SIM tray breaks the water seal and channels water directly onto the logic board. Wait until the exterior is fully dry.
4
Skip the rice and hairdryers
Rice does nothing to clean corrosion under BGA chips. Heat from hairdryers damages the battery. Neither reaches the actual damage inside.
5
Send to a board-level repair lab
Ultrasonic cleaning is the only method that reaches corrosion under BGA chips and RF shields. Contact us or ship it today.
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.
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. See our full comparison of alternatives to DriveSavers.
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
iPhone data recovery requires advanced component-level repair to restore power to the encrypted storage subsystem. Because the data is cryptographically bound to the main processor, a successful board repair typically allows the processor to decrypt and mount the entire user partition; in practice, recovery is nearly all-or-nothing. Partial recovery scenarios are rare but possible with filesystem damage or NAND degradation. DriveSavers' percentage-based model means they charge the top of their quote range for any recoverable iPhone, because the recoverable percentage is nearly always complete.
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.
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.
The Apple Referral Pipeline
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.
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.
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.
Complete walkthrough of recovering data from a completely dead iPhone. Short circuit diagnosis, capacitor-level repair, and successful boot for data extraction.
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 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.
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.
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.
Common iPhone Restore Error Codes
When iTunes or Finder fails to restore your device, it throws an error code. Codes like Error 4013 usually indicate a hardware fault on the logic board, requiring physical microsoldering to repair. Error 1110 is a different category entirely: it is a logical partition exhaustion issue where the phone ran out of storage space during an iOS update and cannot boot. Error 1110 recovery relies on specialized software exploit techniques to free partition space and rebuild the filesystem without wiping user data, not on hardware repair.
Common iPhone Error Codes in iTunes and Finder
These error codes appear when iTunes or Finder fails to restore your iPhone. Each one points to a specific hardware or storage problem that software cannot fix.
Stop the restore attempts. Each failed restore attempt risks permanently destroying access to your data. Contact us for a free evaluation before trying again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions. Click any question to see the full answer.
Can you get data off a dead iPhone?
Yes, data can often be recovered from a dead iPhone if the storage chip and Secure Enclave are intact. We repair the board just enough to boot, enter the passcode, and copy your data. Cost: $300-$650 depending on model. Time: 2-7 business days after evaluation for most cases, and several weeks to 2 months for difficult cases.
Can you recover data from a water-damaged iPhone?
Yes. We remove shields, clean the board ultrasonically, diagnose power circuits, and repair what is needed to boot. Then we copy your photos, messages, and contacts safely. Important: Don't try to power on or charge a wet phone. Every attempt can worsen damage.
Can I recover data without a backup?
Yes. iPhone storage is encrypted to the device, so we cannot just remove the chip. We repair the phone to a bootable state, enter your passcode, and export directly from the device. No iCloud or iTunes backup needed. We copy directly from your phone.
Can Apple recover my data?
No. Apple does not offer data recovery services. Their model is device replacement. They will tell you the data is gone. Board-level repair labs like ours routinely recover data that Apple says is lost.
What if my phone died after a screen repair?
This is likely "long screw damage" where the wrong screw length cut internal board traces. We repair these by mapping the damage and rebuilding connections with micro-jumpers. This is a board problem, not a screen problem. Microsoldering is the fix.
How long does recovery take?
Most iPhone data recoveries complete in 2-7 business days after evaluation, with more difficult cases taking several weeks to two months. Complex cases with severe damage may take longer. We give you an estimate after seeing the device.
What if you cannot recover my data?
You don't pay. Our policy is no data, no fee. If the CPU (which contains the Secure Enclave) or the storage chip is physically destroyed, recovery is not possible. We will tell you honestly.
Do I need to know my passcode?
Yes. iPhone data is encrypted and requires the passcode to access. Without the passcode, even with a working phone, the data cannot be decrypted. If you don't know your passcode, recovery is not possible.
How much does iPhone data recovery cost?
At Rossmann Group, iPhone data recovery costs $300-$450 for pre-X models and $450-$650 for iPhone X and newer. DriveSavers typically charges $3,000-$4,000+ for the same work. Our free evaluation gives you a firm quote before any work begins. If we cannot recover your data, you pay nothing.
Does data recovery software work on a dead iPhone?
No. Software tools like Dr.Fone, UltData, and PhoneRescue only work on iPhones that power on and connect via USB. They scan existing iTunes or iCloud backups. If your iPhone is dead or water-damaged, no software can access the encrypted storage. The only option is board-level hardware repair.
What should I do if my iPhone gets wet?
Stop trying to turn it on or charge it immediately. Do not put it in rice. Rice does not fix corrosion that is already damaging components under the shielding. Get the phone to a board-level repair lab as soon as possible. Time is the biggest factor in water damage recovery because corrosion spreads every hour.
Can data be recovered from an iPhone that was in water for days?
It depends on the extent of corrosion, but recovery is often possible even after extended water exposure. The NAND storage chip is durable. The challenge is repairing the corroded power circuits on the logic board. We have recovered data from phones submerged for days. Earlier treatment gives better odds, but it is always worth an evaluation.
Is iPhone data recovery worth it?
Yes, when the data is irreplaceable. Photos, messages from a loved one, or business-critical data are worth far more than $300-$650. Our no data, no fee policy means you only pay if we succeed. The evaluation is free, so there is no risk in finding out if recovery is possible.
Why does Apple say data recovery is not possible?
Apple does not do board-level repair. Their service model is device replacement. When they say recovery is not possible, they mean they cannot do it, not that it cannot be done. Independent labs with microsoldering capability routinely recover data from devices Apple has declared unrecoverable.
What is the difference between a big lab and an independent repair shop?
Big national labs spend millions on marketing, referral commissions, and sales teams. That overhead is built into their $3,000-$4,000+ quotes. Independent board-level repair shops do the same work with lower overhead. The key question is whether the shop does the work in-house and whether you can talk to the actual technician.
Is DriveSavers worth it for iPhone data recovery?
DriveSavers is a capable hard drive recovery lab, but their iPhone pricing of $3,000-$4,000+ reflects overhead from marketing, Apple referral commissions, and a legacy pricing model built for hard drives. Independent board-level repair shops perform the same iPhone recovery work for $300-$650. The techniques and tools are the same. The difference is overhead.
Why is DriveSavers so expensive for iPhone recovery?
DriveSavers' pricing model is a legacy from hard drive recovery, where they charged based on what percentage of data was recovered. iPhone data recovery requires advanced component-level repair to restore power to the encrypted storage subsystem. Because the data is cryptographically bound to the main processor, a successful board repair typically allows the processor to decrypt and mount the entire user partition; in practice, recovery is nearly all-or-nothing. Partial recovery scenarios are rare but possible with filesystem damage or NAND degradation. DriveSavers charges the top of their quote range for any recoverable iPhone. Add Apple referral commissions, national advertising, and sales team overhead, and you get $3,000-$4,000 for work that costs $300-$650 at an independent lab.
Are there cheaper alternatives to DriveSavers for iPhone data recovery?
Yes. Independent board-level repair shops like Rossmann Group perform iPhone data recovery for $300-$650 using the same microsoldering techniques. The key is finding a shop that does the work in-house, has board-level expertise, and offers a no data no fee guarantee. Ask to speak directly to the technician before sending your phone.
Can data be recovered from a dead iPhone?
Yes. A dead iPhone usually has a failed power circuit, corroded connector, or damaged trace on the logic board. The NAND storage chip itself is durable and retains your photos, messages, and contacts even when the phone will not turn on. We repair the board using microsoldering to restore power, boot the device, enter the passcode, and copy data directly. Recovery costs $300-$650 depending on model and damage. If we cannot recover your data, you pay nothing.
Do you need the passcode for iPhone data recovery?
Yes. Every iPhone since the 5s encrypts all user data with keys tied to the Secure Enclave and your passcode. Without the correct passcode, the data cannot be decrypted, even with a fully working phone. No commercial tool can bypass this encryption. If you know your passcode, we repair the board, boot the phone, and enter it to copy your files. If you do not know your passcode, recovery is not possible.
Secure Mail-In from Anywhere in the US
Transit Time
1 Business Day
FedEx Priority Overnight delivers to Austin by 10:30 AM the next business day from most US addresses.
Major Origins
New York City1 Business Day
Los Angeles1 Business Day
Chicago1 Business Day
Seattle1 Business Day
Denver1 Business Day
Security & Insurance
Fully Insured
Use FedEx Declared Value to cover hardware costs. We return your original drive and recovered data on new media.
Packaging Standards
✓Use the box-in-box method: float a small box inside a larger box with 2 inches of bubble wrap.
✓Wrap the bare drive in an anti-static bag to prevent electrical damage.
✗Do not use packing peanuts. They compress during transit and allow heavy drives to strike the edge of the box.
Our "no data, no fee" policy applies to hardware recovery. We do not bill for unsuccessful physical repairs. If we replace a hard drive read/write head assembly or repair a liquid-damaged logic board to a bootable state, the hardware repair is complete and standard rates apply. If data remains inaccessible due to user-configured software locks, a forgotten passcode, or a remote wipe command, the physical repair is still billable. We cannot bypass user encryption or activation locks.
Ready to recover your iPhone data?
Get a free evaluation and honest assessment of your recovery chances. No data, no fee.
