How to Recover Data from a Mac SSD?

Accidentally deleted important files from my Mac’s SSD. Anyone know the best way to recover this lost data? Need help urgently because these files are crucial for a project. Thanks in advance!

Lost files on a Mac SSD? Ugh, been there! So, before doing anything else, make sure you stop using the SSD to avoid overwriting your deleted files. Time Machine could be an easy fix if you have backups, but if not… well, time to get a bit more technical.

Disk Drill for Mac is a solid tool for data recovery. There’s an independent review of it here: Disk Drill Review. Pretty comprehensive and spot-on about what the software can and can’t do.

You basically download and install Disk Drill, let it scan your drive, and it should list out recoverable items. It’s pretty user-friendly, even if you’re not a tech guru. Give it a whirl and see if it drags your files back from the void!

Oh, and if Disk Drill can’t recover your files… well, might be worth looking into professional data recovery services as a last resort. They aren’t cheap, but for crucial project files, it might be necessary. Good luck!

Well, good luck with this, but don’t set your hopes too high. Recovering data from an SSD is notoriously difficult due to how they store and delete data.

That said, you can try software like Disk Drill for Mac. It’s one of the more popular recovery tools, but it’s not perfect. It’ll scan your drive for recoverable files, but keep in mind the chances drop significantly if you’ve used the drive after deleting the files. And it’s not cheap either.

Here’s a URL that lists different recovery software options: Top 10 Best Data Recovery Software for Mac (Including FREE). Might be worth checking out.

Still, manage your expectations or you might just get dissapointed.

Recovering data from a Mac SSD can be a bit challenging due to the way SSDs handle data writes and storage, but it’s definitely possible. Here’s a few steps and tools you can use to try and get your files back:

  1. Check the Trash Bin: Okay, this is obvious, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the ones we overlook. Open your Trash Bin and see if the files are there. If they are, just right-click and select “Put Back.”

  2. Stop Using the SSD: Once you’ve realized your files are missing, stop writing new data to the SSD. This reduces the risk of overwriting the deleted files, making recovery easier.

  3. Time Machine Backup: If you use Time Machine, you might have your files backed up. Connect your backup drive, open Time Machine, and navigate to the date you last had the files. Restore them from there.

  4. Use Recovery Software: This is where things get more technical, but also more likely to succeed. Disk Drill is a highly recommended tool for Mac data recovery. You can download it here: Download Disk Drill for Mac users here. Disk Drill can scan your SSD for lost files and recover a wide variety of file types.

    Disk Drill Screenshot
  5. Step-by-Step With Disk Drill:

    • Download and Install: Head to the Disk Drill website and download the Mac version, then install it on your Mac. If possible, try installing it on a different drive than the one you’re recovering from.
    • Open Disk Drill: Launch the application and you’ll see a list of available drives.
    • Select your SSD: From the list, select the SSD where your files were stored.
    • Scan for Lost Data: Click the “Search for lost data” button. Disk Drill will start scanning your drive. This can take a while, depending on the size of the SSD and the amount of data it needs to scan.
    • Review Found Files: Once the scan is complete, you’ll be able to see a list of recoverable files. Browse through and find the ones you need.
    • Recover: Select the files you wish to recover and click “Recover.” Save these recovered files to a different drive to prevent overwriting other deleted data.
  6. Professional Help: If those steps don’t work, you might need to contact a professional data recovery service. These can be expensive, but when you have critical files for a project, it might be worth it.

Remember, the sooner you stop using the SSD and start the recovery process, the better your chances of getting all your data back. Good luck!