How to Recover .MDDATA Files Lost Due to User Error on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .MDDATA file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .MDDATA Files Lost Due to User Error on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS

What is a .MDDATA file?

iPhone backup file created by iTunes, a digital media player; may store data such as contacts, SMS messages, applications, and notes; used for restoring iPhone states through iTunes.

What Are Common Causes of ".MDDATA" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".MDDATA" files lost or failure. Some of them include:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".MDDATA" files while performing file management tasks, such as cleaning up the system or removing unwanted files.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Problems with the software or hardware can lead to ".MDDATA" file loss or failure. This can include issues like software crashes, system errors, file system corruption, or hardware failure.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and corrupt ".MDDATA" files, making them inaccessible or causing data loss.
  4. Power outages or improper system shutdown: Sudden power outages or improper system shutdowns can interrupt the file saving process, leading to ".MDDATA" file corruption or loss.
  5. Formatting or partitioning errors: If a user accidentally formats the storage device containing ".MDDATA" files or encounters errors while partitioning, it can result in the loss of these files.
  6. File system errors: File system errors, such as file system corruption or bad sectors on the storage device, can cause ".MDDATA" files to become unreadable or inaccessible.
  7. Human error: Human error, such as mistakenly renaming or moving the ".MDDATA" files to an unknown location, can result in their loss or failure.
  8. Software conflicts: Conflicts between different software applications or incompatible software versions can lead to ".MDDATA" file corruption or loss.
  9. Physical damage to storage media: Physical damage to the storage media, such as hard drive failure or damage to external storage devices, can result in the loss of ".MDDATA" files.
  10. Overwriting or modification: Accidentally overwriting or modifying the ".MDDATA" files with incorrect data can cause their failure or loss.

It is important to regularly backup ".MDDATA" files to prevent permanent loss and use reliable data recovery software in case of any unexpected data loss situations.

How to recover lost ".MDDATA" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".MDDATA" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".MDDATA" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".MDDATA" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".MDDATA" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".MDDATA" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".MDDATA" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo iPhone Backup File image file file?

Programs that open ".MDDATA" files

Windows
Apple iTunes Apple iTunes
PalmDatabase.db3 / IPhone .mddata Viewer PalmDatabase.db3 / IPhone .mddata Viewer
Mozilla Firefox with SQLite Manager plug-in Mozilla Firefox with SQLite Manager plug-in
Mac
Apple iTunes Apple iTunes
Mozilla Firefox with SQLite Manager plug-in Mozilla Firefox with SQLite Manager plug-in
Linux
Mozilla Firefox with SQLite Manager plug-in Mozilla Firefox with SQLite Manager plug-in

Additional Information

  • File type: iPhone Backup File

  • File extension: .MDDATA

  • Developer: Apple

  • Category: Backup Files

  • Format: Binary

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:23 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .MDDATA files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is a .MDDATA backup file and how is it different from other backup formats?

    A .MDDATA backup file is a specific format used by Samsung devices to store backup data. It is typically created when using the Samsung Smart Switch software to back up data from a Samsung device.

    The .MDDATA file format is different from other backup formats in a few ways:

    1. Device-specific: The .MDDATA format is specific to Samsung devices and is not compatible with other devices or platforms. It is designed to store data from Samsung smartphones and tablets.
    2. Comprehensive backup: The .MDDATA file format aims to create a comprehensive backup of various types of data on the Samsung device. It can include contacts, messages, call logs, settings, apps, multimedia files, and more.
    3. Proprietary format: The .MDDATA format is a proprietary format developed by Samsung. This means that it is not an open standard and may not be easily readable or restorable by third-party software or devices.
    4. Encryption: The .MDDATA backup file can be encrypted to protect the data stored within it. This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to the backup data.

    It's important to note that to restore data from a .MDDATA backup file, you typically need to use Samsung's Smart Switch software or a compatible Samsung device. Third-party software may not be able to directly read or restore data from this format.

  • How can I create a .MDDATA backup file for my data?

    To create a .MDDATA backup file for your data, you can follow these steps:

    1. Identify the software or application that uses .MDDATA files for backup. This format is not widely used, so it is important to determine the specific software or tool you are using.
    2. Open the software or application and locate the backup or export feature. This can usually be found in the settings, preferences, or options menu.
    3. Choose the files or data you want to include in the backup. This could be specific folders, databases, or any other relevant data.
    4. Select the destination where you want to save the backup file. Make sure to choose a secure location, such as an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a separate computer.
    5. Set the backup format as .MDDATA or choose the option that corresponds to your specific software's backup format.
    6. Start the backup process and wait for it to complete. The time required will depend on the size of your data.
    7. Once the backup is finished, verify that the .MDDATA file has been created in the specified destination.

    It's important to note that the steps mentioned above are generic, and the exact process may vary depending on the software or application you are using. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the documentation or support resources provided by the software developer for detailed instructions on creating a .MDDATA backup file.

  • What software or tools can be used to restore data from a .MDDATA backup file?

    To restore data from a .MDDATA backup file, you can use the following software or tools:

    1. MobileTrans: MobileTrans by Wondershare is a popular data transfer and backup tool that supports restoring data from .MDDATA files. It allows you to easily restore contacts, messages, call logs, photos, videos, and other data from the backup file to your mobile device.
    2. Samsung Smart Switch: If you have a Samsung device, Samsung Smart Switch can be used to restore data from a .MDDATA backup file. It is an official tool provided by Samsung that supports transferring data between devices and restoring backups.
    3. MobileGo: MobileGo by Wondershare is another software that supports restoring data from .MDDATA backup files. It offers a range of features for managing and transferring data between Android devices and computers, including the ability to restore backups.
    4. Android Backup Extractor: Android Backup Extractor is a versatile tool that can extract and restore data from various Android backup formats, including .MDDATA files. It allows you to extract specific data types such as contacts, messages, photos, and more from the backup file.
    5. Dr.Fone - Data Recovery: Dr.Fone by Wondershare is a comprehensive data recovery tool that supports recovering data from various sources, including .MDDATA backup files. It can recover deleted or lost data from Android devices, iTunes backups, and iCloud backups.

    Note: It's important to ensure that you use trusted and reliable software from reputable sources when dealing with backup files to avoid any potential data loss or security risks.

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