Macs are considered safe and secure devices due to their robust security features, regular updates, built-in encryption, and strong protection against malware.
However sometimes due to accidental deletion, formatting errors, or software crashes, you may encounter data loss issues on your Mac. Losing data on Mac can be a distressful experience, but the good news is that there are several free Mac data recovery tools and manual workarounds available online that you can try for hassle-free data recovery.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various methods, including manual workarounds and a free Mac file recovery tool that you can try for easy and quick data retrieval. Just apply the methods one by one to restore your deleted files. Let’s get started!
What Causes Deletion of Files on Mac?
Before you apply any free Mac data recovery method to restore lost or deleted files, it is important to understand why data loss usually occurs. Some common reasons for deletion of files on Mac are:
- Accidental Deletion: Files might have been deleted mistakenly while cleaning up storage or managing other files.
- Formatting Errors: Formatting a drive or partition can cause data loss if not done properly.
- Software Crashes: Unexpected application crashes can cause unsaved work to be lost.
- System Updates: Occasionally, updating macOS can result in data loss if something goes wrong during the update process.
- Virus or Malware Attacks: Although less common on Macs, malicious software like viruses or malware can still corrupt or delete data.
- Physical Damage: Hardware failures such as a damaged hard drive can also cause the deletion of data from your device.
Recover Lost Files Using Free Mac Data File Recovery Tool
If you are looking for the easiest approach to recover deleted files on Mac, then a Mac data recovery software will definitely work out. Tools like Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac allow you not only to restore deleted files in a few simple steps but also without any cost. The software supports recovery of deleted photos, videos, documents, and other types of files without too much of a hassle.
There are several features which make the Stellar Data Recovery Free tool best for your lost files recovery. This includes:
- Recover deleted files even from the emptied Trash bin.
- Supports recovery of files deleted from any internal or external storage device, encrypted devices, crashed computers, etc.
- Compatible with Mac devices powered with the latest M3 and T2 chips.
- Offers ‘Pause and Resume’ scan and allows restoring files while the scan is in progress.
- Supports Mac devices running on macOS Sierra 10.12 up till the macOS Sonoma 14 Edition.
- Recovers up to 1 GB of file for free. Several paid versions of the software are also available which vary in price and features.
Here’s how to recover deleted files on Mac using this free Mac File Recovery tool:
Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Free software on your Mac. Launch the software and from the homepage, select the type of file you need to restore and click Next.
Step 2: Now, from the Recover From window, select the storage disk where the files were stored before deletion and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
Step 3: After completion of the scan, preview the recoverable files and choose the ones you need to restore. Click the Recover button to save selected files at the desired location.
Other Alternatives to Recover Deleted Files on Mac
Along with the above free Mac data recovery software, you can apply the below-given manual approaches to retrieve deleted files:
Method 01: Recover Files from Trash
Every deleted file on Mac goes to the in-built Trash Bin where they are stored temporarily for 30 days before getting permanently deleted. Follow the below steps to recover your lost or deleted files on Mac directly from the Trash bin:
- Firstly, open the Trash Bin from the Dock.
- Locate and select the deleted files you need to restore.
- Right-click on any deleted file and select the Put Back option to restore them to their original location.
Method 02: Use Time Machine Backups
If the deleted file is not present in the Trash Bin, then it might have been permanently deleted from your Mac. In such cases, you can use previously created backups to restore your lost files.
Mac provides a built-in Time Machine backup feature that automatically backs up your entire system, including files, apps, and system settings. Here’s how to recover lost files on Mac using Time Machine backups:
- Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac.
- Launch Finder and go to the folder where the lost files were located.
- Click on the Time Machine icon from the menu bar and select Enter Time Machine.
- Use the timeline from the right pane to browse through different backup versions.
- Select the files you need to restore and click Restore to save them back to your device.
Method 03: Restore from iCloud Backup
Another backup alternative that you can try to recover lost files on Mac is via iCloud backups. If you’ve synced iCloud to back up your files on your Mac, follow the below steps to restore lost data using it:
- Open any web browser on your Mac and go to icloud.com.
- Log in with your Apple ID and password.
- Click on iCloud Drive and browse through the folder where the lost files were stored.
- Select the files you need to restore and download them on your Mac.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Data Loss on Mac
Here are some additional tips that you can consider to avoid deletion of files on your Mac:
- Regular Backups: Regularly backup your data using Time Machine, iCloud, or external drives to ensure you always have a copy of your important files.
- Use Reliable Antivirus Software: Install and regularly update antivirus software to protect your Mac from malware and viruses that can cause data loss.
- Avoid Physical Damage: Handle your Mac with care and avoid exposing it to physical damage, extreme temperatures, or moisture.
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your macOS and applications to the latest versions to ensure they are secure and have the latest features.
- Be Cautious with Deletions: Double-check before deleting files to ensure you do not accidentally delete important data.
Wrapping Up
Recovering lost data on a Mac can be a challenging task, but with the above-mentioned methods and free Mac data recovery software, you can easily restore lost data. Whether you’re restoring from the Trash Bin, using Time Machine or iCloud backups, or utilizing third-party Mac data recovery software, there are multiple methods to help you retrieve your valuable files. Additionally, implementing preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of data loss in the future.
