How to Delete All Photos from iPhone Beyond Scope of Recovery?

Summary: Learn how to delete all photos from your iPhone beyond the scope of recovery with this comprehensive guide. We’ve also mentioned an iPhone eraser software that securely erases your photos for good and safeguards your privacy.

Are you planning to sell or discard your iPhone? If yes, it’s important to ensure that your personal data, such as photos and videos, etc. is deleted and cannot be recovered even by a professional data recovery tool. To protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized access to your deleted iPhone photos, make sure your iPhone is wiped clean of all your previous photos before you sell, donate, or discard it.  

In this blog, we will talk about different ways to delete photos from iPhones beyond the scope of recovery.

How to Delete All Photos from iPhone?

Before deleting all photos from the iPhone, it’s important to take a backup of all photos to avoid any accidental data loss situation. There are various ways to back up your iPhone photos:

1. iCloud

Use iCloud to back up all your photos automatically. To sync iCloud with Photos –

• Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos, and turn on iCloud Photos.

Your photos will be backed up to iCloud automatically if your device has enough storage space and is connected to Wi-Fi.

2. iTunes:

You can even use iTunes to back up your iPhone photos. To do this,

• Connect your iPhone to your system.
• Launch iTunes and then select your device.
• Click Summary > “Back Up Now” to create a backup of all your data, including photos.

Once you have backed up all your photos, proceed forward with deleting them from your iPhone.

Method 1: Delete Images From Photos and Recently Deleted Folder

Photos app saves images shot from iPhone as well as those received on chats. You can delete all the photos from your iPhone via the Photos app. Here’s how to do it.

• Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
• Go to the Library tab, tap All Photos, and then tap Select.
• Select one or multiple photos you want to delete.
• Tap on the Trash icon and then confirm to delete the photos.

When you delete a photo from the iPhone, it’s not deleted permanently. Instead, it is moved to the Recently Deleted folder, where the deleted photos stay for 30 days before being permanently deleted.

To permanently delete photos from the Recently Deleted folder, follow these steps:

• Open the Photos app > Albums.
• Scroll down, then tap on Recently Deleted.
• Next, tap Select and choose the photos that you want to delete permanently.
• Tap Delete and then confirm to delete the photos.

Remember, if iCloud sync is enabled, photos deleted from iPhone will be deleted on iCloud. That is why if you want to delete photos from your iPhone but not on iCloud, make sure iCloud sync is disabled for Photos.

Method 2: Factory Reset Your iPhone

Apple’s brilliant feature of the ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ option brings your device to default settings by erasing all your iPhone data, etc.

The factory reset will delete all the settings, photos, audio, videos, messages, notes, call history, search history, app history, passcodes, and any other data on your iPhone.

However, remember erasing your iPhone data with the ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ doesn’t delete your data permanently. It means that all your iPhone data including photos are still recoverable with the help of robust iPhone data recovery software .

Steps to Factory Reset iPhone

• Open Settings on your iPhone.
• Go to General and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Click on the Erase All Content and Settings options.
• Click Continue and enter your iPhone passcode.
• Next, click Erase iPhone. This will fully wipe your device clean.

Note: Don’t forget to back up your iPhone data on iCloud or iTunes before initiating the factory reset. Because this backed-up data can be accessed on your computer or new iPhone.

Stellar Eraser for iPhone is the best way to delete permanently erase all photos as well as other data of the iPhone. The software erases all your photos, contacts, videos, chats, iMessage, browser search history, third-party apps data, and more from your iPhone.

The Stellar iPhone Eraser tool is the best way to clean or delete iPhone data. This tool deletes iPhone data permanently making it impossible to recover it from any software. It is the best data erasure tool for iOS devices before you exchange, sell, recycle, or give them away.

The software works with all iPhones and iPad versions, such as iPhone 14 to lower versions till iPhone 4 and supports iOS versions from iOS 6.0 to iOS 16.

Steps- How to Delete All Photos From iPhone via Stellar Eraser for iPhone

• Download and install Stellar Eraser for iPhone on your Windows and Mac systems.
• Launch the software and click on the Erase Data option.

• In the next Erase iPhone Data screen, click Next.

• Connect your iPhone to the system when prompted and click Erase.

• Click Yes to start the process of erasure.

• Click OK, once all the data is successfully erased.

All the data including photos and videos get permanently erased from iPhone beyond the scope of recovery.

Conclusion

Deleting all photos from your iPhone beyond the scope of recovery is crucial to protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized access to your personal data. By following the methods above, you can ensure that all your photos are deleted permanently from your iPhone. However, the best way to delete all photos from iPhone is by using Stellar Eraser for iPhone. The software will help you erase photos and other data from your iPhone so that it is impossible to recover it using any data recovery software.

FAQ

1. How to Delete Photos from iCloud?

To delete Photos from iCloud, follow these steps:

• Open Settings > tap on your Apple ID > iCloud.
• Then tap Manage Storage and select Photos.
• Next tap Disable and Delete. It will disable your photos from being saved on your iCloud account.

2. How to delete apps on iPhone permanently?

If you want to delete apps on your iPhone for managing the storage space then you directly remove it from Home Screen or delete it from App Library.

3. How to delete documents and data on iPhone?

Documents and Data folder may contain browsing history, cookies, cache, temporary files, database files and other information specific to the app. You can delete them easily by following this detailed guide .

How to fix ‘Unable to load Video: An Error Occurred’

Summary: Are you facing ‘unable to load video’ error message while trying to play videos on iPhone or iPad? No worries. This post guides you how to fix the error and watch your videos on the iOS device without any issue.

‘I am frequently facing ‘unable to load video’ error message ever since iOS 16 update. Its annoying as I cannot watch videos on iPhone. How to fix the issue?’

‘Since I upgraded to iPhone14 Pro from iPhone 11, I have problem playing a few videos. It states ‘error loading video’. I even bought more iCloud storage but no luck. Please help.’

Videos not loading on iPhone or show ‘Unable to load video, an error occurred’ message is a persistent issue faced by iPhone users, even after successive iOS upgrades, irrespective of the iPhone model.

As the annoying error stops you from watching your favorite videos on iPhone, you want to fix it soon. But before that its’ important to understand what could be the cause of this ‘unable to load video’ error, to troubleshoot the problem accordingly.

Why iPhone shows unable to load videos error?

There is no single reason for video loading error. Usually, videos saved in iCloud would display unable to load error on iPhone, if the Internet is off or you have slow connection.

Another common reason behind videos not loading on iPhone is that the ‘optimize storage’ option is enabled on your iOS device. Apple offers this feature to save space on your iOS device and stores the full resolution videos to iCloud. However, this often results in the video loading problem on the device.

Its’ also possible that your iPhone has insufficient space, which prevents videos from loading. There could also be a bug that can be fixed with iPhone update.

Right 9 ways to Fix ‘Unable to load Video, an error occurred’ on iPhone, iPad

Method 1: Restart iPhone

Restart, also called soft reset can fix error in loading video on iPhone or iPad. Close all the applications and restart your iPhone or iPad.

Method 2: Turn on Internet of the iOS device

If you are watching YouTube, Netflix, or other online videos, ensure cellular data of your device is turned on. In case you are facing the error ‘unable to load video: an error occurred’ while loading a higher quality version of the video on iPhone, try by switching to uninterrupted Wi-Fi connection. Note that high speed Internet is necessary for streaming videos on iOS device.

Method 3: Update your iOS device

You can update the device to fix ‘unable to load video’ error on iPhone or iPad. To update your iPhone or iPad follow the given steps. Before that make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Click Download and Install followed by Install Now.

Method 4: Turn off the Optimize Storage option

When ‘optimize storage’ option is enabled on your iOS device, all the full-resolution high quality videos and photos get saved in iCloud while only the compressed space-saving versions are on your iPhone.

Thus, when you try to open a video on the iOS device, it takes time eventually to load it from iCloud. While sometimes, the video may not load at all. Try to fix unable to load video on iPhone by turning off this feature. Here are steps to disable optimize storage’ option:

• Open Settings. Click on your name.
• Tap on iCloud > Photos.
• Below Optimize iPhone Storage, tap on Download and Keep Originals option.

Figure: Disable Optimise iPhone Storage Option

Wait until the iPhone downloads all the videos from iCloud. You should now be able to open videos without loading error.

Method 5: Update the app that shows video load error on iPhone

If the video loading issue error pops up in a particular app like YouTube, Instagram, then update the application. If the update doesn’t help, you can reinstall the app also. This should fix videos not loading error or buffering issues. App update are available in App Store. To update any iPhone app follow the given steps:

• Open the App Store.
• Now click on your profile icon on top.

Figure: Update app in App Store

• Scroll to find your app and click on the Update button next to it. You can also click on Update All on top.

Method 6: Create free space on your iPhone

High quality videos may not load and show error if there is no space on your iPhone. Check your iOS device, if it has enough free space. Its’ essential to have 2GB free space available in the device to play high quality and large size videos.

You can check the available space on your iPhone or iPad by navigating to: Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

Figure: iPhone storage screen

On the top right, you will see the amount of space used on your iOS device. If the space is less, remove the useless videos, photos, apps and other data on your iPhone or iPad.

Method 7: Access video from iCloud.com

If the videos don’t load on iPhone and show error, try to access them via iCloud.com on your computer by following the below steps:

• Open iCloud.com and enter Apple ID credentials to sign in.
• Click on the Photos or iCloud Drive app where the video is saved.
• Find your video and click on it to open.

There’s also the options in icloud.com to share the video via email or download to save it on your computer.

Method 8: Repair video not loading on iPhone

If you face ‘unable to load video’ an error occurred in Camera Roll videos of iPhone, the file may have corrupted.

Copy or transfer the problem video to your PC or Mac. Download and install a video repair software—Stellar Repair for Video . It can fix file corruption in the error throwing iPhone video. The software is compatible with MP4, MOV, HEVC, video files formats used in iPhone and iPad.

The software also offers a free trail wherein you can repair the corrupt video and watch its preview.

Method 9: Restore iPhone to factory settings

If ‘unable to load video’ error is perpetual on your iPhone or iPad, in spite of trying the above methods, then factory reset can be your last bet.

As all know, factory reset will delete everything on your iOS device , make sure you create the latest backup of the iPhone in iCloud or iTunes.

Follow the below steps to factory reset iPhone and fix unable to load video error:

• Open Settings > General > Reset.
• Click on Erase All Content and Settings.
• Enter Apple passcode. Click on Erase iPhone and follow the prompts.

Now check if the video error problem is resolved or not.

Wrapping Up & FAQ

Usually one of the methods shared in this post fixes the error – ‘unable to load video‘, an error occurred’ on iPhone. However, unfortunately if none works and you cannot play videos on iPhone, contact Apple support .

FAQ

1. Why does my iPhone say ‘an error occurred while loading a higher quality version of this photo’?

High quality photos/videos require more storage space to open. Less free storage is one of the for the media file loading error.

Hence, delete some useless photos, videos, or apps to free up space. Now you can open the high quality photo/video smoothly without any error.

2. Why my iPhone videos not playing on PC?

Your iPhone videos may not play on Windows PC due to many reasons— the media player doesn’t support videos file format; virus in your PC; or the video has turned corrupt during transfer. However, you can fix the problem and play iPhone videos on Windows .

3. Why I cannot view my video in icloud.com?

In iCloud.com, select the Photos app and click Photos. In the side bar, you will see the thumbnails of all your photos and videos. Find your video and click on it to view.

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How to Restore iPhone from Backup when iTunes Backup is Corrupt or not compatible

Summary: Are you receiving the error, ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or not compatible’ while trying to restore iPhone? iPhone recovery is not possible from a corrupt backup file. This post shares how you can resolve corrupt iTunes backup file issue and restore iPhone’s lost data.

‘I dropped my iPhone and broke it. I got it repaired and formatted to factory settings to fix the various issues caused due to the fall. Since I had a backup in iTunes, so was not worried about my data. But had least idea that my iTunes backup file was corrupted! As I tried to restore iPhone from iTunes, a message appeared –: ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible.’ Now I don’t know how to restore my iPhone. Please help.’ –  Simon, UK

It’s not new when users get bowled over by iTunes when trying to restore their iPhone. iTunes sometimes shows a message that it could not restore iPhone because the backup was corrupt or not compatible with the iPhone that was being restored.

It may be because iTunes does incremental backup by updating the previous backup. It’s possible that some old backup data was corrupt, which results in the error message.

Whatsoever, it’s a fact that there’s no recovery possible from a corrupt backup file.

So how to fix such corrupt iPhone backup in iTunes and restore iPhone in such cases?

Here we share the best ways to fix corrupt iTunes backup file and efficient methods to restore iPhone’s lost data.

You can apply these methods on all iPhone models including series of iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6S Plus, 6S, 6 Plus, 6, 5S, 5c, 5, 4S and 4 with latest iOS 16.x.

What you can do to fix ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible’

Since you can’t repair or recover from a corrupt or incompatible iTunes backup file, it is best to delete such corrupt files and next try to create a new backup in iTunes.

How to delete your corrupt iPhone backup file in iTunes

1. Launch iTunes on your PC or Mac
2. Windows users click Edit > Preferences (on Windows PC). Mac users click iTunes Menu > Preferences
3. Select Find your iPhone backups
4. Select the corrupt or incompatible backup. Click Delete Backup
5. Close the iTunes Preferences window

How to delete the old iTunes backup files manually

If you don’t see the old backup in iTunes, then delete the backup manually.

1. In iTunes, under Summary click on Serial Number. You will see the iPhone’s UDID. Note it down.
2. Navigate to the iTunes backups folder on your computer.

On Mac follow: Finder > Option> Go menu> Library> Application Support >MobileSync> Backup

On Windows 11/10/8 follow: In Search box type %appdata%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. Press Enter key

If you installed iTunes from the Microsoft Store, follow: In Search box type %userprofile%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup. Press Enter key.

3. You will see the backup folders named by your device UDID
4. Select the folders with your device UDID and delete them
5. Next go to iTunes and take the backup again

How to backup iPhone in iTunes again

1. Connect your iPhone to computer via lightning cable
2. Launch iTunes
3. Click on Back Up Now The backup process begins.

| Did you get a message — iTunes can’t back up your iPhone because an error occurred? Here’s what you should do…
• Update your iOS to the latest version
• Update your iTunes to the latest version
• Disable antivirus software on your computer
• Now create backup in iTunes

|
| — |

How to restore iPhone when iTunes backup file is corrupt

Method 1: Restore iPhone from iCloud backup

Method 2: Recover from iCloud backup without erasing existing data

Method 3: Restore lost data directly from iPhone/ iPad

Method 1: Recover from iCloud backup

Instead of iTunes, you can restore iPhone by using the alternative backup solution, iCloud.

Steps to restore iPhone with iCloud

• Click to follow Settings > General > Reset> Erase all Contents and Settings

• A dialog box pops up, choose Erase Now
• Follow the instructions until you get on to the Apps & Data screen
• Tap Restore from iCloud Backup

• Sign in to your iCloud account
• Choose the recent backup and click Restore

Method 2: Recover specific files from iCloud without losing existing iPhone data

In case you want to restore specific data from backup, instead of complete backup, use an iPhone recovery software.

Steps to restore specific files from iCloud:

• Download and launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your computer.

• Select Recover from iCloud Backup on main screen of software.

• Select what you want to recover. Click Next
• Enter the Apple ID and password
• Select the relevant iCloud backup and click Scan

• Select the data in the iCloud backup files list on left and preview

• Click Save
• In the dialog box select computer or iPhone to save the recovered data. To save directly onto your iPhone, connect your iPhone to the computer.

Method 3: Recover data from iPhone

If iTunes could not restore iPhone or iPad because the backup was corrupt and neither iCloud is able to restore backup, recover data from the device directly. You can easily restore lost photos, videos, messages, calendar, voice memos, Safari bookmarks, etc., with this method. It works in cases of broken/ water-damaged iPhone, factory reset, iOS crash etc.

Steps to recover lost data from iPhone/ iPad

• Connect your iPhone to computer
• Launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
• On the home screen select Recover from iPhone

• Select the data you want to restore
• Click Next

• Preview the data and click Save. You can save the recovered data on computer or iPhone

Conclusion

You cannot repair or recover data from corrupt iTunes backup file that gives — ‘iTunes backup was corrupt or Not compatible’ message.

However, the situation can be tackled by deleting the corrupt backup file and creating a fresh new backup in iTunes.

To restore iPhone, you may use either the new iTunes backup or bypass iTunes by using alternative recovery methods. Other than iTunes, iCloud or Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone are the effective ways to restore lost data on your iPhone. Among these too, if you wish to restore specific data like photos, videos, voice memos, or contacts etc., Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone would be the best solution.

7 Ways to Fix iTunes Error 9

Summary: The iTunes error 9 appears when iPhone update through iTunes gets failed. It’s annoying as the error doesn’t let you use your device further. Learn 7 quick methods to fix iTunes error 9 and update the device without any issue.

Trying to get the new iOS on your iPhone but facing iTunes Error 9?

The iTunes error 9 usually occurs while updating your iPhone via iTunes. The error annoyingly neither lets you update the iPhone nor do any activity on your device. Thus, it urgently requires a fix so that you can work on your iPhone and also update the device.

In this post, we will share with you 7 best possible ways to fix iTunes Error 9. But before that let’s know what is causing the iTunes error on trying to update your iPhone.

Why does iTunes Error 9 occur?

It is difficult to determine the exact reason of your iTunes Error 9. But it may be due to any of the reasons given below :

• USB port or cable is damaged
• You have jailbroken your iPhone
• Corrupt network settings
• Security software prevents access to Apple server

How to fix iTunes error 9?

Since it is usually, regarded as a hardware issue, you should begin with hardware-related workarounds and later move to other software troubleshooting methods.

Going by the order, try below methods to fix iTunes Error 9

1. Check USB cable & port
2. Restore iPhone with iTunes on another computer
3. Force your device to restart
4. Check Anti-Virus & Firewall on your computer
5. Update iTunes to the latest version
6. Use Recovery Mode to Fix iTunes Error 9
7. Choose to update iPhone wirelessly

Solution 1: Check USB cable and port

Make sure your iPhone USB cable and port are properly connected and working fine. Do the below checks and fix:

• USB cable is not loosely connected to the computer
• You are using the USB cable that you got with your iPhone or another certified cable
• The USB port is not damaged. Try by shifting to another USB port

Solution 2: Restore iPhone with iTunes on another computer

iTunes error 9 is generally regarded as a hardware-related problem. Sometimes it is difficult to detect the issue. The easier way out is to restore iPhone using iTunes on another computer or laptop. If still the error persists, move on to the other workarounds.

Solution 3: Force restart your device

Apple suggests trying once force a restart of iPhone to fix iTunes error 9.

iPhone X, iPhone 8, & iPhone 8 Plus users: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus users: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo.

Solution 4: Check Anti-Virus & Firewall on your computer

Antivirus or Firewalls in your computer may prevent iTunes to connect with Apple server.  Check the security software settings, and tweak them if required to allow iTunes to access the network servers.

Solution 5: Update iTunes to the latest version

Updates usually bring in new features, fix existing bugs and make the application smarter. If the iTunes error 9 is due to outdated iTunes, installing the latest version may help to fix the error.

How to update iTunes to the latest version?

For Windows users: Launch iTunes on PC. On the menu bar, click Help > Check for Updates and follow the given instructions

For Mac users: Launch iTunes on Mac. On Menu bar go to iTunes > Check for Updates and follow the on-screen instructions.

After updating iTunes, reboot your computer and check if the iTunes error 9 is fixed.

Solution 6: Use Recovery Mode to fix iTunes Error 9

iPhone in Recovery Mode

All the above methods fail to fix iTunes error 9? As last resort choose Recovery Mode to restore iPhone in iTunes. Choosing this option means you will lose all your iPhone data. Thus, first take backup in iCloud or iTunes before applying this fix.

How to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode? (For iPhone 8, 8 Plus, & X users)

• Update your iTunes
• Press and release the Volume Up button and then the Volume Down button
• Press and hold the Side button till connect to iTunes screen appears
• Once the iPhone is in Recovery Mode, connect your computer with iPhone via USB cable. You will see the white Apple logo screen.
• When iTunes asks you to update or restore, click Update to reinstall iOS

Lost iPhone data after restoring iPhone in iTunes via Recovery Mode?

Losing iPhone data after update through Recovery mode is a panicky situation. It gets even more serious if you are unable to restore from iCloud or iTunes backup. In such situation, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone comes as big relief**.** The software restores complete iPhone information from iPhone, iCloud and iTunes.

Stellar iPhone data recovery software quickly and safely restores all iPhone data including photos, videos, music, contacts, messages, Safari bookmarks, etc. It also recovers the lost WhatsApp, WeChat, Line, Viber, Tango, and Kik messages. The software is extremely easy to use. Simply launch it on your Mac or PC, connect your iPhone to the computer and follow the on-screen instructions.

 

Solution 7: Choose to update iPhone wirelessly

Select Software Update in Settings on iPhone

Alternatively update iPhone wirelessly, without using iTunes.  Make sure you have a continuous Internet connection. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap on Download and Install.

Conclusion

Although iTunes Error 9 rarely occurs but is a frustrating situation as you are unable to do any other activity on your device.

You can sometimes easily fix the Error 9 by doing a simple check if your USB cable, port connection, and firewall settings are appropriate. Restarting the device and updating iTunes to the latest version can also resolve Error 9. As a last resort, update iOS in iTunes through Recovery Mode. Nevertheless, you can also choose to bypass iTunes and update your device wirelessly.

One of the above methods is surely going to help you out. Also do not forget to share with us in the comment box below, which of these methods helped you to fix iTunes Error 9.