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qsch1

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 30, 2013
44
1
Someone deleted a very important file in the notes app and then also deleted the recently deleted folder. I dont have time capsule with me, and the icloud was already over written. There are no recently deleted files within it. I have both iphone and macbook pro synching the files with my icloud account, and my emails are tagged to include notes backup (but prob same as icloud backup?). What are my options thanks?
 

randomgeeza

macrumors 6502a
Aug 12, 2014
624
460
United Kingdom
If you haven't opened either of your iPad notes or iPhone notes app, turn on Airport mode, open either app and fingers crossed the note will still be there, you can then copy/paste or hand write its contents and make a new note.

If all device Notes have been synced since the deletion, you are FUBAR'd. Good luck.
 

YatBob

macrumors 6502
Apr 23, 2014
273
74
Louisiana
Are you sure someone deleted it, I have recently found notes missing, and not in the recently deleted folder either, these were locked notes and if someone else deleted them they would of needed to know the lock code but I am the only one with access to notes, the were gone and I found out they are also not backed up to iCloud, you cannot go to iCloud dot com and restore like you can do with other folders like contacts. etc.
 
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qsch1

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 30, 2013
44
1
Yes, I know someone deleted it, as that person didnt want me to have that note and accessed my device when it was open. Unfortunately I had already turned on my laptop and also my phone and used it before I realised it was deleted, hence icloud would have restored all updates (excl. the file). My notes do not have a lock key and are accessible once my device is unlocked.
 

sahnert

macrumors 6502
Oct 20, 2003
499
61
Seattle
You might have a local snapshot if you use time machine


Restoring notes from Time Machine is tricky, but possible (haven’t tried this in Catalina)

 

qsch1

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 30, 2013
44
1
You might have a local snapshot if you use time machine


Restoring notes from Time Machine is tricky, but possible (haven’t tried this in Catalina)


Thanks, I dont know how to see the snapshots from that article (it doesnt say)? The time capsule is not with me currently, in a different country. This happened a few days ago so doubt would even still work.
 
Last edited:

me55

macrumors regular
Jul 26, 2019
131
62
You do not need the Time Capsule, your Mac makes backups on its own SSD/HDD in between.
 

qsch1

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 30, 2013
44
1
You do not need the Time Capsule, your Mac makes backups on its own SSD/HDD in between.

How do I do that. Bear in mind all backups in icloud have been overwritten. Hence my file does not exist as also recently deleted was deleted. Regards
 

matram

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2011
781
416
Sweden
Assuming TM has been running you can ”Enter Time Machine” from the menu bar TM icon. This will allow you to go back in time to a point before the delete happened.
 

sahnert

macrumors 6502
Oct 20, 2003
499
61
Seattle
Assuming TM has been running you can ”Enter Time Machine” from the menu bar TM icon. This will allow you to go back in time to a point before the delete happened.

Yes this is the first step. Unfortunately it’s not immediately obvious how to search Notes in this view (I haven’t used Catalina, maybe this has improved?).

this article describes how to recover notes via time machine

 
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