How do I recover notes deleted from an iPhone or iCloud account?
Answer
Check the Notes app Recently Deleted folder first, then confirm whether notes were stored in iCloud, On My iPhone, or an email account like Gmail. Restore from Recently Deleted within the retention window, and verify iCloud.com Notes if the device list looks empty.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Notes left in Recently Deleted are permanently removed after the retention period ends.
- Do not share Apple ID passwords or verification codes with anyone who contacts you about restoring notes.
Follow these steps
Check every Notes account folder
Open Notes, tap the back arrow until you reach Folders, and look under iCloud, On My iPhone, Gmail, and any other listed accounts—not just the currently opened folder.
You should see: You find the notes under a different account section, or confirm they are missing everywhere.
Restore from Recently Deleted
In Folders, open Recently Deleted, select the notes, and tap Recover. Wait a moment for them to reappear in their original folder.
You should see: Recovered notes return to the Notes list.
Verify on iCloud.com
On a browser, sign in to iCloud.com with the same Apple ID, open Notes, and check whether the notes appear there or in Recently Deleted.
You should see: iCloud shows the notes to restore, or confirms they are not in that Apple ID.
Review account security if wipe was unexpected
If notes vanished without action on your part, open Apple ID device lists and sign-in security settings. Remove devices you do not recognize and change the Apple ID password using Apple’s official flow.
You should see: Only trusted devices remain on the account, reducing the chance of remote deletion.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Folders named Recently Deleted, iCloud, On My iPhone, and any email account sections inside Notes.
Before you change anything: Do not create a new empty iCloud account and sign the iPhone into it while searching. Avoid disabling Notes for iCloud until you have checked Recently Deleted. Check another device signed into the same Apple ID. Never share Apple ID codes with unexpected callers.
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