Video tutorial: how to recover deleted files on Mac with iBoysoft Mac data recovery software
Recover data with data recovery software:
1. Download and install iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac.
The first step is to download the free iBoysoft Data Recovery installer on Mac running Mac OS X 10.9 to macOS 12. Double click the installation file in your Downloads folder to open it. Drag the iBoysoft Data Recovery icon to the Application folder when prompted.
2. Launch iBoysoft file recovery software on Mac.
Once the installation is complete, find iBoysoft Mac recovery tool from Launchpad or Finder and launch it. You will be brought to the data recovery home window listing all detected internal volumes. If you need to recover deleted files from an external device, connect it to Mac and wait for a few seconds to be detected by the data recovery software.
iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac supports recovering deleted files from Mac's internal hard drive or SSD, external hard drives, flash drives, and memory cards.
3. Select the drive or volume to be scanned.
Give iBoysoft Data Recovery the Full Disk Access permission with your admin password if you need to recover deleted files from Mac's internal hard drive or a Time Machine backup disk.
You can either select the entire disk or a partition that you want to recover deleted files from.
4. Click Scan to start searching for deleted files.
Use quick scan for deleted files: Quick scan can find recently deleted files quickly and display them with full file names, file extensions, file types, and date created.
Use deep scan for lost files: Deep scan scans your entire disk or partition in a binary level and can dig out files that have been deleted or lost a long time ago. Use deep scan for a more powerful and thorough scan, which takes a lot more time.
The scanning will start immediately without extra configuration.
5. Preview deleted files.
When disk scanning is done, a list of folders iBoysoft Mac file recovery software has found will be shown. To avoid recovering unnecessary files, you should use pre-recovery filters and preview to find only valuable files.
Select a file and click the Preview button. That is the only way to know if the file is fully recoverable.
6. Recover deleted files on Mac.
Once you have identified deleted files you want to recover, click the box in front of the files to select them. Then click the Recover button to restore deleted files to a new location.
iBoysoft Mac data recovery software supports recovering all file types and can recover deleted photos, documents, videos, audio files, etc.
Tips for increasing the success rate of Mac deleted file recovery
To increase the chances of successful data recovery, here are a few tips to help you find your lost data and get it back to the fullest extent possible before the data recovery process.
Stop using the device immediately
Continuing to use the disk where data loss is suspected could result in new data overwriting the recoverable files. This includes turning off the computer, safely ejecting the external hard drive, shutting down the camera or any digital device with an inserted SD card, avoiding unnecessary data transfer operations, and downloading data recovery software to a different partition.
Be aware of a failing drive
Before a storage device stops working, it usually gives some signs of failing such as grinding noises, random missing files, failed auto-mounting, getting unusually hot, or very slow data transfer speeds. You should get your data off this drive as soon as possible because the situation will only get worse and your drive could become completely corrupted at any time.
Watch for inadvertently deleted files
One single careless human error can cause huge data loss. Accidentally deleting a wrong folder or formatting a hard drive can cause the deletion of a lot of important information. Take time to verify and double check files and locations, especially before a mass deletion, and you will reduce the risk of lost files and folders.
Back up data regularly
The most effective method of recovering lost files and folders is to use the existing backup media. All professional data handling and restoration service providers suggest that you should back up your computer and important files regularly. Then you will have a recent backup to help you recover accidentally deleted files on your main disk. You can either back up your valuable data to a physical disk or cloud storage.
Eliminate malware and viruses
Malware attacks and virus infection are another two reasons for lost data. Run a reliable anti-virus tool on your Mac frequently to get rid of any viruses that might be stealing your information or destroying your data. In addition, do not click any spammy download link that might install unverified programs on your Mac without your permission.
Common reasons for lost data
Identifying the root causes will prevent you from losing the recovered files again. Here are the most widespread reasons for lost data.
Accidental deletion
When you have multiple files with a similar file name, or you want to delete several folders together to free up storage space, it is very common that you mistakenly delete the wrong files and folders.
How to Delete Files from Seagate/WD/Toshiba External Hard Drive on Mac?
This post discusses different ways to delete files from external hard drives on Mac, including permanent deletion, and solutions to try when you fail to delete files. Read more >>
Malware and viruses
Malware and viruses usually are distributed by cybercriminals through links in emails or on untrusted websites. Once you click on them, they steal, delete, and even overwrite your data and then cause data loss.
File system corruption
Interrupted data transfer, improper disk ejection, unexpected power outrage, failed OS update, and other unexplained factors might cause the file system of a storage device to become logically corrupted. Files can then become inaccessible and lost.
Software malfunction
A software installation or update package may be corrupted when you download it. Sudden and frequent software crashes and shutdowns will delete data you haven't saved or even lead to serious damages to your existing files on Mac's internal hard drive or connected external hard drives.
Hardware breakdown
Another majority of data loss occurs due to mechanical issues. The fragile parts such as platters and magnetic heads of a mechanical hard disk drive or the flash memory of a solid-state drive can be damaged by drops or other physical events or wear out over time. However, physical damages on a device don't necessarily indicate that your files are permanently lost. It is often best to contact a professional data recovery service to help you recover data from a seemingly-dead hard drive.
What you can do to protect your data in the future?
Now that you know how to restore deleted files on Mac, you may have come to the unfortunate conclusion that some of your files won't be able to be easily recovered. To avoid completely losing important files again, what can you do to protect them in the future?
Back up your Mac
Creating automatic backups of your Mac is one of the best ways to prevent permanently losing your data. You can easily restore deleted files on Mac as long as they have been backed up.
You have two options.
Back up your Mac with Time Machine. Time Machine is a free solution that can handle backups automatically on a Mac computer. It backs up the macOS (or Mac OS X), computer settings, applications, and created files to a connected external storage device on an hourly basis for the last 24 hours.
Back up your Mac with third-party backup software. If you need a more frequent and flexible backup of your Mac, Mac backup software or service can help you. You can set up smaller intervals between two backups and choose what types of files you want to back up with a specific file extension.
Sync your external hard drive to the cloud
Syncing your external hard drive to the cloud has many benefits. It gives you easy access to files and a convenient way to share files as well.
Most importantly, syncing the data on an external hard drive to the cloud helps you recover deleted files even if you have emptied the Trash can or your disk itself is lost.
Conclusion
You have a good chance to get back your deleted files on Mac if you follow the various Mac files recovery techniques mentioned above.
Don't wait to start the recovery process as soon as you notice a missing file. Prompt action can undelete files with a single undo command shortcut. On the other hand, deleted file recovery on Mac may not be successful if files have been deleted for months with the best Mac data recovery software.
This comprehensive data recovery software supports retrieving deleted files from internal hard drives, external hard drives, USB flash drives, SD cards, and other disk-based storage media.
To protect your data in the future, use Mac backup software or drive sync service to store another copy of your important Mac files.
How to recover deleted/disappeared notes on Mac? (Verified solutions)
If you've deleted notes by mistake or notes are missing after you upgrade to macOS 12 Monterey. This post offers useful methods to recover your deleted notes on Mac. Read more >>
FAQ about deleted file recovery on Mac
QHow to recover deleted files on Mac? ASteps to recover deleted files on my Mac:
1. Download, install and launch iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac.
2. Select the disk or partition containing deleted files.
3. Click the Scan button to search for deleted files on Mac.
4. Preview recoverable files and select files you want to restore.
5. Click the Recover button and select a new location to store recovered files.
Several solutions allow you to retrieve deleted files on Mac without software. They either require an unemptied Trash can or a previously created backup device.
1. Recover from Trash with Put Back option
2. Use Command - Z to undo the deletion
3. Recover with Terminal command
4. Recover with a Time Machine backup
5. Recover from iCloud backup
6. Go to a professional data recovery service
Yes. Follow the steps below to recover deleted files on Mac for free:
1. Open Trash can from the Dock.
2. Right-click the deleted file you want to restore.
3. Choose Put Back in the menu and the deleted file will be restored to its original location on Mac.
Commercial data recovery software and data recovery cleanrooms usually charge for unlimited data recovery, of course.