How modern Apple data recovery actually works
Plain English up front, because there's a lot of misinformation out there. Modern Apple devices don't behave like old hard drives or USB sticks, and that changes what data recovery looks like.
Modern iPhone, iPad, and MacBook data is encrypted
The data on a modern iPhone, iPad, or MacBook is encrypted, and the encryption is tied to the device's security hardware — not just the storage chip. That means the data can't simply be pulled off a chip and read on another computer.
The device usually needs to be made functional
For most cases, the path to your data is to repair the board-level fault that's keeping the device down — power management, charging circuit, liquid-damaged components — until the device boots far enough for you to sign in with your passcode. Once it's reachable, we can back the data up.
Why "just pull the NAND chip" usually doesn't work on Apple devices
On older devices and many traditional drives, lifting the storage chip and reading it externally is sometimes a viable path. On modern Apple hardware, that approach doesn't produce usable data because the storage is encrypted at rest and the keys live in the device's security hardware. That is why our approach is repair-first: get the device working enough to unlock, then back up.
When customers come to us for data recovery
If your situation looks like one of these, board-level data recovery may be a fit. The diagnostic confirms what's actually possible.
Dead iPhone
iPhone won't turn on but you have important photos, contacts, or messages inside.
Dead iPad
iPad has stopped powering on with notes, projects, or photos still on the device.
MacBook will not turn on
MacBook is unresponsive but the files inside still matter — work, photos, projects, archives.
Liquid-damaged phone or MacBook
Water, coffee, or another liquid took the device down before your last backup.
No power
The device shows no signs of life on a known-good charger and a known-good cable.
Boot loop
The device restarts repeatedly or hangs on the Apple logo and never reaches the Lock Screen.
Damaged board or charging circuit
Charging IC, USB-C controller, or charge-rail damage that keeps the device from booting normally.
Data needed before replacing a device
You're already planning to replace the device — you just need the files off the old one first.
If the data matters, please don't do these
Most of the cases that become unrecoverable are made worse after the failure — not before. A few simple don'ts can dramatically change your odds.
Especially after a liquid spill or sudden failure
Power the device off, leave it off, and contact us before you try anything else.
- Do not keep charging a liquid-damaged device — pushing current through corroded paths makes things worse.
- Do not repeatedly try to power it on — every boot attempt risks turning a salvageable fault into a permanent one.
- Do not heat or dry the device aggressively — no rice, no hair dryers, no oven trays. Heat can damage the board.
- Do not attempt random DIY fixes from the internet if the data is important — half-finished repairs can damage the storage chip.
Our data recovery process
Every recovery follows the same predictable workflow — diagnostic-first, with realistic expectations shared up front.
Intake & data goals
We capture what you most need to recover (photos, messages, work files) so the work is focused on the data that actually matters to you.
Device history
Spills, drops, prior repairs, recent updates — context that significantly affects the realistic odds.
Board-level diagnostic
Microscope inspection plus electrical measurements identify the actual failure on the logic board.
Attempt to restore temporary function
Where possible, we repair the board fault just enough to bring the device back into a state where the data is accessible.
Data access & backup
Once the device is reachable, you sign in with your passcode and we run a full backup to your drive (or one we provide).
Return or further repair
We hand back the device and the recovered data, and you decide whether to also fully restore the device or move on to a new one.
How we handle your data during recovery
Your data is treated as your data — not a curiosity to browse
Recovered data is copied directly to a drive you provide or one we supply, handed back at the end of the job, and we do not keep working copies of your files on our equipment after the recovery is complete. We do not bypass passcodes, Apple ID / iCloud, FileVault, or activation locks — your credentials remain yours.
See our terms and conditions for the basics on how we handle devices in our care.
Realistic expectations before you commit
Data recovery is not magic, and it is never guaranteed. The list below is the honest version of what affects outcomes.
- Data recovery is not guaranteed — outcomes vary case by case.
- Severe NAND, CPU, or security-component damage may make recovery impossible.
- Passcodes, FileVault, Apple ID / iCloud lock, and activation lock all affect what data is reachable. We do not bypass these.
- Devices that have been repeatedly powered on after a fault, or aggressively heated/dried, are harder to recover than ones brought to us promptly.
- We do not use guaranteed-recovery language. If we don't think recovery is realistic for your case, we'll say so.
Tell us about the device and the data
Send us your device model, what failed, and the files you most want to retrieve. We'll respond with realistic next steps — usually a paid diagnostic before any recovery work. Walk-in service in Revelstoke, BC, and mail-in board-level data recovery across Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to questions we hear from customers about this service.
Can you recover data from a dead iPhone?
Sometimes. Dead iPhone data recovery starts with a board-level diagnostic to figure out why the device is dead. If we can repair the underlying fault — usually a power management IC, charging IC, or a corroded section — the iPhone may come back far enough to be unlocked with your passcode and backed up. Outcomes depend on the specific failure. We do not promise recovery.
Can iPhone data be recovered by removing the NAND chip?
Modern iPhone data is encrypted, and the encryption keys are tied to the device's security hardware — not just the NAND chip. Pulling the NAND off the board and reading it like a USB drive does not produce usable data on a current iPhone. That is why our approach is repair-first: we work to make the device functional enough that you can sign in and back up.
Can you recover data from a water-damaged phone?
Often we can attempt it. Water-damaged iPhone data recovery is time-sensitive — corrosion progresses even after the device has been dried. We disassemble, ultrasonically clean the affected sections, repair failed components on the board, and try to bring the device back far enough to access the data. Severe or long-standing liquid damage can make recovery impossible.
Can you recover data from a MacBook that will not turn on?
Sometimes. MacBook data recovery on a no-power MacBook starts with the same board-level diagnostic we use for liquid-damaged or no-charge MacBooks. If the storage chips are intact, repairing the underlying board fault often brings the MacBook back far enough to copy data off. Apple Silicon MacBooks have additional constraints because the storage is paired to the SoC.
Do I need my passcode?
Yes — for the data itself. Modern iPhone, iPad, and MacBook data is encrypted, and we cannot bypass passcodes, Apple ID / iCloud, FileVault, or activation lock. We can repair the board so the device boots, but you need to know the credentials to actually access the recovered data.
Is data recovery guaranteed?
No. Data recovery is never guaranteed. Outcomes depend on the failure mode, the state of the storage, the condition of the security and CPU components, prior handling, and whether the device is locked. We share a realistic read for your specific situation before any work begins, and we do not use "guaranteed recovery" language.
Should I charge my device after liquid damage?
No. Charging a liquid-damaged device is one of the most damaging things you can do — it pushes current through corroded paths and can cause shorts that destroy components that were otherwise salvageable. Power the device off, do not plug it in, and contact us as soon as possible.
Do you offer mail-in data recovery?
Yes. Mail-in board-level data recovery is supported across Canada. Power the device off (do not pack it with a charger connected), pack it securely, insure the outbound shipment for replacement value, and contact us first so we can confirm next steps. See our mail-in microsoldering page for full guidance.