Hey everyone, I accidentally deleted some important files on my MacBook and really need to get them back. I’ve checked the Trash, but they’re not there. Can anyone help with file recovery options or tools for Mac? Thanks in advance!
Recovering deleted files on a Mac can be a bit tricky, but there are several methods you can try. If the files aren’t in the Trash, they might still be recoverable using third-party recovery software. I suggest you look into Disk Drill. It’s one of the top tools for this purpose on macOS. Disk Drill can recover lost files from various file systems and offers a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate, even if you’re not super tech-savvy.
Here’s a solid review link that explains all its features in detail, which might help you decide if it’s suitable for your needs: Independent Disk Drill Review.
Quick steps with Disk Drill:
- Download and install Disk Drill.
- Launch the app and select the drive where the files were located.
- Use the ‘Recover’ option and follow the prompts to find your deleted files.
Make sure you don’t save or install anything new on the drive where your deleted files were, as this may overwrite and permanently lose them. Good luck!
First off, losing important files sucks, but don’t worry, there are ways to handle it beyond just scouring the Trash. Here’s a step-by-step guide that should help you recover those deleted files on your MacBook.
Step 1: Check Your Backups
If you have Time Machine set up, that’s a great place to start. Connect your Time Machine drive and open the Time Machine app. Navigate to the folders where the deleted files were originally located and go back in time to before the deletion. Find the file and click “Restore.”
Step 2: Use Recovery Software
If Time Machine isn’t an option or you don’t have a backup, don’t worry. You can still use specialized recovery software to retrieve your files. One of the most recommended tools out there is Disk Drill for Mac. It’s user-friendly and pretty effective. Here’s how you can use Disk Drill:
- Download Disk Drill for Mac users here: https://www.cleverfiles.com/disk-drill-mac.html
- Install and open the software.
- Once launched, you’ll see a list of available drives. Select the drive where your deleted files were initially stored.
- Click “Recover” and Disk Drill will start scanning for deleted files.
- After the scan, browse through the list of recoverable files and select the ones you need.
- Click “Restore” and save them to a different location to avoid overwriting other lost files you might still need to recover.
Step 3: Look in iCloud Drive
If you use iCloud to manage files, you might want to check your iCloud Drive. You can access your iCloud through Finder or via the web interface (icloud.com). Sometimes, iCloud maintains a separate trash bin for deleted files, so it’s worth a look.
Step 4: Contact a Pro
If the files are super-critical and you’ve tried the above methods without success, you might want to consider professional data recovery services. These services can be pricey, but they’re often the last resort for particularly stubborn cases.
Technical Advice
A little technical advice: files on hard drives are not immediately erased when deleted. Instead, macOS marks the space as ‘available’. Therefore, minimize your computer use until you’ve attempted to recover the files to avoid overwriting this space.
Pro Tips
- Keep regular backups of your important files to avoid these situations.
- Tools like Time Machine or cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox can save a lot of headaches.
- Act quickly after deletion; the sooner you try to recover the files, the better your chances of success.
Hope this helps, and good luck recovering your files! Feel free to ask if you have any more questions!
Did you seriously just delete your files and they’re not even in the Trash? Classic. Well, good luck with that because recovering them isn’t always a walk in the park.
First off, try Time Machine. If you’ve been using it, you might be saved. But if not, guess you’re outta luck there.
Software options? Many people scream Disk Drill for Mac. Might work, but don’t get your hopes up too high. It’s got some decent success rates, but it can be pretty slow and the free version is seriously limited. Good luck getting anything substantial without coughing up cash.
There’s also this: https://www.handyrecovery.com/best-data-recovery-software-for-mac/. Maybe just do your own research and pick your poison. None of these tools are guaranteed, btw.
That’s about it. Maybe try not to delete important stuff next time.