Thread: Recover lost data from iPod Touch

So i have a 4th gen 8gb iPod Touch. I had to do a restore on it the other day. So i lost all my data (mainly pictures). I did not make any kind of backup, at least not recently so there are alot of things that i want back. I've tried at least 4 different data recovery programs already but none of them even detect the iPod.
I assume this is because the Touches don't work in disk mode so they never show up in any of the menus.

Is there any program that will extract the stuff from the ipod? Or create a disk image of the ipod that i can then scan and recover data from? Or possibly some way to put the ipod into disk mode so that i would be able to use one of the recovery programs i already have on it?
Any suggestions at all would be great!



I have not installed anything or put any of my music on the ipod since the restore so the data hasn't been overwritten. It should still be there right?
Any help would be appreciated. thanks :)

Did you try this?
1. You need to restart your iPod before putting it into Disk Mode. Check that your hold switch is off by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack.
2. Press and hold the following combination of buttons buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
Ipod touch is "Menu" and "Sleep Button"
3. Restart the iPod as explained above, then as soon as you see the Apple logo, let go, and then hold down the "Fast Forward" and "Rewind" buttons. This will force your iPod into Disk Mode. At this point your iPod may mount on your computer. If not, try restarting the computer.
4. Once your iPod is in Disk Mode (it should say that on the top of the iPod's LCD screen) and is flashing the "Do not disconnect" icon, you should be all set.
5. Just restart your iPod to exit disk mode.
6. If this procedure didn't work, you may have a hardware problem.

Usually, when you sync your iPod, iTunes automatically backs-up your iPod before adding/removing stuff from it. After the restore, you should have had the option to either restore it and set up as a new iPod or to restore it from an old backup. I've never done it before but I've always seen that as an option upon restoring (I've restored mine at least 3 times xD) so that may be an option you could try.

Originally Posted by NutsRus

Did you try this?
1. You need to restart your iPod before putting it into Disk Mode. Check that your hold switch is off by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack.
2. Press and hold the following combination of buttons buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
Ipod touch is "Menu" and "Sleep Button"
3. Restart the iPod as explained above, then as soon as you see the Apple logo, let go, and then hold down the "Fast Forward" and "Rewind" buttons. This will force your iPod into Disk Mode. At this point your iPod may mount on your computer. If not, try restarting the computer.
4. Once your iPod is in Disk Mode (it should say that on the top of the iPod's LCD screen) and is flashing the "Do not disconnect" icon, you should be all set.
5. Just restart your iPod to exit disk mode.
6. If this procedure didn't work, you may have a hardware problem.

But there is no fast forward or rewind buttons on a Touch. right? so what am i supposed to do after resetting?

Originally Posted by buzzarecool

Usually, when you sync your iPod, iTunes automatically backs-up your iPod before adding/removing stuff from it. After the restore, you should have had the option to either restore it and set up as a new iPod or to restore it from an old backup. I've never done it before but I've always seen that as an option upon restoring (I've restored mine at least 3 times xD) so that may be an option you could try.

I didn't make a backup when i was doing the restore so all the newest stuff (since the last backup) won't be there. If i was smart, i could probably just restore the backup like you said. but i wouldn't matter because what i want wasn't backed up to begin with

since the ipod touch uses flash memory and not a physical magnetic drive it will be next to impossible to undelete. Also since u restored the ipod touch already, it would have wiped out all the existing data and replaced with the new image from the restore. unfortunately i dont think its possible for you to get your data back. a last ditch effort might be to visit the apple store and ask one of the "geniuses" there, but make sure ur touch isnt jailbroken, it voids the warranty.