How to recover deleted files on Mac without Time Machine?

Data Recovery
1

Accidentally deleted important files on my Mac and don’t use Time Machine. Looking for alternatives to restore them. Need help urgently as the files are crucial for an upcoming project.

2

Hey, sorry to hear you deleted some critical files on your Mac! Been there, done that. It’s pretty stressful, but don’t panic! There are several ways to recover those files without using Time Machine. Here’s a detailed guide:

  1. Check the Trash Bin: The simplest step first. Have you checked your Trash Bin? Deleted files often stay there until you manually empty it. Just open the Trash, see if your files are there, and if you find them, right-click and select “Put Back.”

  2. Use Terminal to Recover Files:

    • Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities).
    • Type the following command: cd .Trash
    • Then, type: mv filename ../
    • Replace “filename” with the actual name of the file you need to recover.
    • Now, check if the file is back in its original location or on your Desktop.

  3. Try the Undo Option: If you haven’t done too much after deleting the file, you might undo the last action:

    • Simply press Command + Z after deleting the file. This can sometimes immediately restore the file to its original place.

  4. Search for the File:

    • Use the Spotlight search function to see if the file was moved to an unknown location instead of being completely deleted. Just hit Command + Space, and type the file name.

  5. Using Disk Drill:

    • One of the best and most reliable recovery tools out there for Mac is Disk Drill. You can download it from https://www.disk-drill.com.
    • Here’s the step-by-step:
      • Download and install Disk Drill.
      • Launch it and provide necessary permissions.
      • Select the drive or location from where the file was deleted.
      • Click on ‘Search for lost data’ and let the software do its thing.
      • Once the scan is complete, browse through the found files and see if your deleted item is among them.
      • Select the files you want to recover, and then click ‘Recover.’

  6. Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software: Other than Disk Drill, there are multiple data recovery apps like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Tenorshare, or Stellar Data Recovery. Download any trusted software, and follow the prompts to recover your files.

  7. Check iCloud Drive: If you use iCloud Drive, your files might be saved there even if they’re deleted from your Mac.

    • Open Finder, then choose iCloud Drive from the sidebar.
    • Look through the iCloud Drive to see if your files can be found.

  8. Look for Autosaved Versions: Some apps like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite frequently autosave your work.

    • Check the app-specific temporary or autosave folders to see if the file has an older version.

  9. Professional Data Recovery Service: If the above methods fail, consider consulting a professional data recovery service. They can often retrieve data even if it’s been deeply deleted or if the drive has been partially formatted.

Additional Tips:

  • Stop using the drive the files were on immediately! The more you use the drive, the higher the chance the deleted data will be overwritten and become unrecoverable.
  • Always back up your crucial files. Consider enabling Time Machine or any cloud storage service for future safety.

Real-life example:
I once accidentally deleted a month’s worth of work and didn’t have Time Machine backups. I was on the verge of tears until I found Disk Drill. With Disk Drill, I was able to recover almost all of my files. It literally saved my project!

Hope this helps, and fingers crossed you get your files back soon!

3

Hey, what a bummer to lose important files right before a project deadline :sweat:. But let’s stay positive; there are several ways to try to retrieve those files without relying on Time Machine. Some alternatives may work brilliantly!

  1. Check Your Apps’ “Recently Deleted” Folder:

    • Certain apps like Photos or Notes have their own “Recently Deleted” folders. If your files were associated with one of these apps, head directly to those folders and see if you can swiftly restore your deleted files.

  2. Inspect Email Attachments:

    • Sometimes we overlook our sent emails. Did you ever send those crucial files as email attachments to colleagues? Check your sent folder or draft emails.

  3. Look into Temporary Folders:

    • Some applications like Word or Excel occasionally save temporary versions of your documents. Navigate through the app settings to look for auto-saved versions or temporary files. They might contain some of your missing data.

  4. Use Cloud Storage:

    • Many users have their files synced with cloud storage services other than iCloud, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive. Log in to these services and comb through possible archives or trash folders. Automated syncing might have saved you here.

  5. Less Known Terminal Commands:

    • If you’re comfortable using Terminal, other than checking the .Trash, you can try commands like ls -al ~/.Trash to reveal hidden files, which might be your deleted ones. But be cautious with terminal commands if you’re not familiar with Unix-based systems.

  6. Library Folder Recovery:

    • Mac keeps some data caches in the Library folder which might help. Go to Finder, and press Command + Shift + G, then type ~/Library and press Enter. Scan through some common folders like “Caches” and “Containers” to catch any traces of your files.

  7. Test Disk Utility for Repairs:

    • Disk Utility can sometimes recover lost files. Open it through Applications > Utilities, select your drive, and run “First Aid.” It’s not a surefire method for file recovery but can help fix minor drive corruption issues.

Just a bit of a heads-up, recovery tools like Disk Drill are usually dependable, and I’d suggest using it for a thorough recovery attempt. You can grab it from here: Download Disk Drill.

But whatever route you decide on, proceed with caution. Avoid creating or saving new files, as this might overwrite the deleted ones and make them unrecoverable.

Case in point: I recently recovered tons of family photos I thought I’d lost forever using a combination of Disk Drill and hunting through iCloud. It does take some patience, but miracles do happen :star2:.

Best of luck recovering your files! :arrows_counterclockwise:

4

Alright listen, before you go down some convoluted rabbit hole, let’s cut to the chase. All those fancy tips about Terminal commands and Disk Utility are fine, but seriously, ain’t nobody got time for that when deadlines are looming.

First off, simplify:

  1. Check the Trash – Obvious, but sometimes we forget.

  2. Command + Z – Recently deleted? This might just undo your mistake.

  3. Spotlight Search – Sometimes, files hide instead of getting lost.

Okay, if none of this works, and you have to resort to third-party software, Disk Drill is good but don’t be fooled, it’s not flawless. While it’s powerful, there are cons:

Disk Drill Screenshot

  • Pros:

    • User-friendly.
    • Can recover almost any file type.
    • Fast scanning and recovery.

  • Cons:

    • It’s expensive.
    • Sometimes the “recovered” files are corrupted.
    • The free version is quite limited.

If you’re not keen on Disk Drill, other options exist like EaseUS or Stellar. They come with their own sets of pros and cons, but generally do a similar job.

Final thought, don’t get too attached to any one solution. Be ready to try multiple methods and don’t expect magic fix. Stay skeptical.