Losing important files on Mac can be distressful – whether it’s your work document, family photos, or critical folders. When you find any file lost from your macOS device, it is important to proceed with the recovery workarounds immediately. Apple provides various built-in options, and there are several third-party Mac data recovery software tools, as well, which can help you recover data easily and quickly on a Mac.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss various easy methods to recover lost files on macOS, whether you accidentally delete them, format the drive, or experience an unexpected system crash. Keep reading this article to know in detail!
Where Do Deleted Files Go on Mac?
When you delete any file on Mac, either accidentally or intentionally, it goes to the Trash Bin, located on your Dock. The deleted file remains on the disk until permanently deleted or you manually empty the Trash. However, deletion of a file from the Trash bin doesn’t mean it is immediately erased as macOS marks the space available for new data.
However, if the file is deleted from external drives or USBs, it may be stored temporarily in a hidden .Trashes folder on that device. Some external devices don’t support the Trash system from where the files get permanently deleted right away. In such cases, you need to use advanced methods such as Terminal commands for data recovery on Mac.
How do I Recover Lost Files on macOS?
In this part of the blog, we’ve outlined various methods for data recovery on Mac which will help you restore lost files.
Method 01: Check the Trash Bin
As mentioned above, every deleted file is moved to the Trash folder before getting permanently erased. It is important to check the Trash bin before you apply any other Mac data recovery method. Here’s how to restore files from Trash:
- Firstly, double-click on the Trash Bin icon from the dock to open it.
- Manually browse through the deleted files and select the ones you need to restore.
- Right-click the file you want and select “Put Back”.
If the deleted file is not in the Trash folder, try the following methods to recover it.
Method 02: Use Time Machine Backups
macOS provides a built-in Time Machine backup utility which, when enabled on your device, creates an automatic backup of the stored files. If you have set up Time Machine backup, follow the below steps to restore lost data:
- Start the process by connecting your Time Machine backup drive to the Mac.
- Now, launch the folder where your deleted file was originally located.
- Click the Time Machine icon from the menu bar, then select Enter Time Machine.
- Use the arrow keys to browse through timelines of all the previously created versions.
- Select the file you want to restore and click Restore.
Method 03: Use iCloud Drive Backups
If your lost file was previously backed up using iCloud Drive, you can recover them directly from the iCloud account. All you have to do is:
- Open a web browser on your Mac and visit http://icloud.com/.
- Log in using your Apple ID and password.
- Once logged in, go to iCloud drive and browse through stored files.
- Select the file you wish to recover and click “Recover” to restore them to your iCloud Drive.
Method 04: Recover Lost Data Using Mac Data Recovery Software
If built-methods or backup options fail, third-party Mac data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac can help you. It can help you recover deleted files of various types, including photos, videos, documents, and many more in a few simple clicks. The software is 100% safe and secure, allowing recovery of lost files in a few simple clicks.
Whether your files are deleted from Mac due to accidental deletion, system failure, or unexpected power loss, the Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac is the best choice. It is a reliable, easy-to-use Mac data recovery software which can effectively recover files from any internal or external storage device, including hard drives, SSDs, pen drives, and many more.
So, how to recover lost files on macOS using the Stellar Data Recovery Professional software? Let us tell you:
Step 1: Download and install the Stellar data recovery professional software on your Mac. Launch the software and from the homepage, select the type of file you need to restore and click Next to continue.
Step 2: Now, from the Recover From window, choose the storage drive where the deleted files were earlier stored and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
Step 3: Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable files and choose whatever you want. Click Recover to save the selected file at desired location.
Preventive Tips to Avoid Data Loss on Mac
Though the aforementioned methods for data recovery on Mac are quite easy to implement, try preventing such instances from your end. Here are a few additional tips that you can consider:
- Enable Time Machine or cloud backup services such as iCloud, Google Drive, etc. to maintain frequent backups.
- Avoid downloading apps on your device from unauthorized sources.
- Maintain proper power backup to prevent data loss instances due to sudden shutdowns.
Final Thoughts
When you find any important file lost or deleted from your Mac, go with the aforementioned methods for quick and easy data recovery on Mac. Start by checking the Trash bin, then check whether you have previously created a Time Machine or iCloud backup of your lost file. If nothing works, escalate to third-party recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac. With a bit of patience and the right tools, your lost files may be easily recoverable.
FAQs on Mac Deleted File Recovery
How to recover permanently deleted files on Mac?
Trash bins may not be enough to recover your permanently deleted files. You can use previously created Time Machine backups, iCloud recovery, or professional Mac data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac or Disk Drill to restore lost data effectively.
How to recover files from SD card on Mac?
Files deleted from SD cards are not stored in the Trash folder and chances are quite low that they may be recoverable using Time Machine since it backs up only the hard drive. In such cases, you can use third-party Mac data recovery software like Disk Drill or Stellar.
Which is the best tool for data recovery on Mac?
There are several recovery software tools available online to recover your lost files on Mac. It is important to check and compare the features of these tools before opting for one. We recommend Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac as it offers an intuitive user interface, powerful data recovery algorithms and is available in multiple versions.