Data storage and backups are two things that most people don’t know a thing about. And in most cases, it predictably ends in them losing their pictures, documents, passwords or anything else imaginable. Since I was always a little nerd, I’ve learned to pay attention to this back when I was a teenager. And since then, I’ve only gotten more informed regarding storing, backing up or recovering files. Today, I will be taking a look at a program which enables you to time travel (at least from your files’ perspective). The program, appropriately named PhoneRescue, is there to correct your mistakes or unfortunate natural occurrences regarding phone storage. Let’s take a look!
About PhoneRescue
PhoneRescue is a program that is able to recover dozens of types of files from your Android or iOS device. These include all the common ones like photo extensions (.jpg, .png), but also stuff like contacts or your messages. It also enables several other features such as recovering iTunes backups, rooting your Android device, etc. Before we get into the details regarding how this software works, let’s first take a look at the company that makes it.
What is the company behind PhoneRescue?
PhoneRescue Features
The software offers lots of nifty features, so let’s do a breakdown before diving any further:
- Phone Data Recovery – Recovery your lost contacts, messages (SMS, Whatsapp, Line), call logs, multimedia (photos, music, videos), and documents after they have been deleted.
- iTunes/iCloud Recovery – Same as above, but for devices to use iTunes or iCloud. [iOS only]
- Restore iTunes Encrypted Backups – Helps you get your forgotten password and restore your encrypted backups.
- Extract Device Data – Extract some or all of the above-mentioned data to your computer for backup purposes.
- Remove Lockscreen – Removes the security lock screen so that you can access your device after you’ve locked yourself out of it. [Android only]
- Android Rooting – Roots your Android device so you get the full control of it (thus enabling the file recovery). [Android only]
- iOS Repair – Repairs your iDevices if they’re stuck in a boot loop, black screens or similar issues.
I’ve tested the Android features on my Galaxy S8, and the results match the expectations. Using this program I was able to recover the test files I deleted, which included all sorts of documents and multimedia files.
I assume everything works the same with an iOS device, however, I don’t have one that I can use to test it out. But I’m sure that everything works just as well.
Restoring Important From An Encrypted iTunes Backup
One of the most recent features of this software, added during the latest update, is recovering forgotten iTunes backup passwords. When it comes to restoring iTunes backup passwords, there are several things you can do. But we assume that you’ve already exhausted options such as trying to remember the password or using Keychain. So let’s try your next best option, PhoneRescue!
How does PhoneRescue help you get your password?
When it comes to recovering passwords that you forgot, there are many options you could try. One of the most popular ones is brute-checking your password, which is what PR does to help you get your backups back.
This method uses your computer’s processor to try out every single password combination possible. For example, if you think your password is something like ‘1234554321’, but can’t quite remember it, this is a good method to use. Because the method will try all possible combinations of those numbers until it gets it quite right! So if your password was actually ‘12312354321’, you’ll get it back in no time.
If your password is more complex, which it should be, it will take a lot longer, because of all the possibilities, but it is still doable.
How does PhoneRescue work?
Now that we know how the method itself works, let’s take a look at the software itself. Here are the exact steps you need to take to recover your iTunes password.
First, download the iTunes backup password recovery software. Once you open the program, you will see a screen like the one on the left.
Next step is to select your backup from the list. In case you can’t find it, you can manually browse your computer and select the folder.
Once you’ve done that, the password recovery settings screen will pop up. Here you can, obviously, set up all the settings the way you want them. If you know that your password only contains numbers or letters, select the corresponding options. Try to narrow it down, because it makes the whole process easier. You also get to select the estimated length and the number of threads used.
If you will be recovering a lengthy and complicated password, it’s probably the best to use the max amount of threads and leave your computer to its thing. Obviously, the better your processor is, the faster this operation will be.
Now, all that’s left is to wait and hope for the best. Once PhoneRescue got your password, you can access the backups and manage them any way you want.
Be sure to pay more attention in the future, and maybe use password managers or similar methods of storing your passwords.
Ease of Use
Support / After Care
In case you have any problems, doubts or questions, they have a 24-hour support team available 7 days a week. The support isn’t offered by chat or phone sadly, but rather with the standard ticket/e-mail system. It’s acceptable, but I think that a more instant support service should be the standard by now, even if only for the working hours of weekdays.
However, they make up for this because they have some of the most extensive support resources that I’ve ever seen. I don’t see how you could have a question that isn’t already covered in their FAQ. But if you do, submit a ticket, and they’ll get back at you. While instant chat is awesome, it’s even better to never have to use it because you can find all the answers yourself. And iMobie did their best to provide you with more answers than you’ll ever ask for. Huge thumbs up for this.
They also have a refund system in place, in case you ever need it. It works for 60 days, but they put a big emphasis on what will or won’t work when requesting a refund. Be sure to read that too if you’re concerned.
They also offer a free trial, which will enable you to scan your device to see if it satisfied your needs. To actually get the files back, however, you’ll need to buy the license. But the trial system is more than fair in my opinion.
The software itself is updated every two weeks, neat!
Pricing – Is PhoneRescue Worth it?
The license for a single computer will set you back $50, which isn’t the cheapest one you might find. Depending on the ‘value’ of your lost files, this might seem like a bargain, or just too expensive. I personally believe that the price is worth it, due to the entire experience of using this software. It’s very easy to use and they made sure to provide you with detailed instructions on how to use it. Taking it to a specialist who would do the same thing would likely cost you much more too.
If you have some misc documents, paying $50 to get them back might seem unfair, in which case you can take a gamble with other software. But if you have something that you value on the phone, the price really is affordable. Especially when you consider the fact that it’s a once in a lifetime purchase which comes with future updates. Combined with the refund policy, this makes the price beyond fair in my opinion.
There are also other licenses, for family and business purposes, if you need that.
PhoneRescue Review Summary – Buy or Not?
I kind of stated my opinion on this in the ‘Pricing’ section, so let me just sum it up real fast with a pro/con list:
Pros
- Packed with features, delivers on what’s promised
- Easy to use
- Lots of online resources and guidance
- Frequent updates
- Fair pricing
Cons
- No chat/phone support
- The price can seem a bit heavy if you will only recover unimportant data
To sum it up, if you’ve lost anything even remotely important, this is the way to get it back. Plain and simple.
You can download PhoneRescue and start your free trial in the next 5 minutes!
