How can I recover permanently deleted files on a Mac?

I accidentally permanently deleted some important work files from my Mac. I’m really stressed as they are crucial for an upcoming project. Can anyone guide me on how to recover these files? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry to hear about your situation. Recovering permanently deleted files on a Mac can seem daunting, but it’s not entirely hopeless. Here are some steps and tools that might help you in recovering your lost files:

Check the Trash

First, double-check the Trash to make sure the files aren’t sitting there. You might have missed something.

Time Machine Backup

If you have Time Machine set up on your Mac, you can restore the files from a backup. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Time Machine by clicking the clock icon in your menu bar or finding it through Spotlight (Cmd + Space).
  2. Navigate to the folder where the deleted files were originally stored.
  3. Scroll back in time using the arrows to the date before you deleted the files.
  4. Select the files and click Restore.

Data Recovery Software

If you don’t have a backup, third-party data recovery software might be your best bet. One popular choice is Disk Drill

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Disk Drill

Pros:

  • User-friendly Interface: It’s really easy to use, even for those not very tech-savvy.
  • Free Scanning: It allows you to scan for lost data without purchasing the software initially. You only pay if you need to recover files.
  • Comprehensive: It supports a wide variety of file types and storage devices, which means chances are it can recover your specific files.
  • Recovery Vault and Guaranteed Recovery: This feature helps protect your files and can double the chances of recovery.

Cons:

  • Expensive: The Pro version costs around $89, which can be a bit steep.
  • Not Always 100% Effective: Like all data recovery tools, success isn’t guaranteed. Your chances of recovering files decrease the longer you wait.

Steps to Use Disk Drill:

  1. Download and install Disk Drill from their website.
  2. Open Disk Drill and select the disk or partition you want to recover files from.
  3. Click the Recover button.
  4. Wait for the scan to complete. This could take some time depending on the size of the disk.
  5. Review the found files and select the ones you want to recover.
  6. Click Recover again to retrieve them.

Alternative Software

If you don’t want to use Disk Drill, other reputable alternatives include:

  • Data Rescue: Another user-friendly software but it’s also on the pricier side.
  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Also effective and easier on the wallet.
  • Stellar Data Recovery: A robust solution but often found to be slower compared to others.

Again, no tool can provide a 100% guarantee, but these tools are worth a try.

Professional Data Recovery Service

If the files are extremely critical and nothing else works, consider reaching out to a professional data recovery service. This is usually the most expensive option, but it can be worth it for irreplaceable data.

Pro Tips

  1. Stop Using the Drive: One key thing if you’re trying to recover files - keep the data from being overwritten. The moment files are deleted, they’re marked as free space, so any new data written could permanently overwrite them.
  2. Regular Backups: Going forward, set up regular backups with Time Machine or another backup service like Backblaze or Carbonite. It can save you a lot of stress in situations like this.

Hopefully, one of these methods will help you recover your important work files.

Hey, sorry to hear about the lost files! Adding to what @techchizkid has mentioned, I’ll throw in a few additional tips and alternatives that might give you better chances of getting back those crucial files.

Use Terminal for File Recovery

Sometimes you can try recovering files using Terminal commands. This isn’t guaranteed to work for permanently deleted files but worth attempting. Here’s a classic command that sometimes does the trick:

  1. Open Terminal (use Spotlight search: Cmd + Space, then type “Terminal”).
  2. Type this command and hit Enter:
    sudo lsof | grep deleted

This will list open files marked as deleted. If your files appear, you might still have a shot at recovery using more command-line magic or third-party recovery tools.

Check iCloud Drive and Third-Party Cloud Services

If you use iCloud Drive or any third-party cloud service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive, see if your files might be recoverable from there. Sometimes these services keep backups or have a version history feature.

Use Disk Utility - First Aid

One often overlooked method is using the Disk Utility’s First Aid. Though it’s more of a ‘hail mary’ and typically used for disk errors, it sometimes can miraculously recover lost files:

  1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
  2. Select your disk and click First Aid.

This might fix some underlying issues and potentially bring back some files. Although it’s a long shot, it’s still worth a try.

Alternative Data Recovery Software

If you’re not keen on using Disk Drill or it’s a bit out of budget, you might want to consider some open-source or budget-friendly software. Here are a few options:

PhotoRec

Pros:

  • Free: Completely open-source, no cost.
  • Powerful: Supports a wide range of file types and systems.

Cons:

  • Difficult interface: Not user-friendly, can be tricky if you’re not tech-savvy.

TestDisk

Pros:

  • Free and Open-source: Like PhotoRec, but more oriented towards partition recovery.
  • Effective: Known to be really efficient for restoring lost partitions.

Cons:

  • Complex UI: Very technical interface, may not suit everyone.

Steps for Using TestDisk or PhotoRec

  1. Download TestDisk or PhotoRec from their official site.
  2. Unzip the file and run the utility via Terminal.
  3. Follow the step-by-step prompt to scan your drive and recover files.

Professional Data Recovery Services

If DIY methods don’t cut it, professional data recovery services can be the last resort. Companies like DriveSavers and Secure Data Recovery offer professional-grade solutions that have a higher success rate—even for physically damaged drives. However, they can be quite expensive.

Consider the Future

After you’ve (hopefully) recovered your files, here’s what I’d recommend for the future:

  1. Set Up Time Machine: Already mentioned, but it’s worth reiterating. Time Machine is very reliable for incremental backups.
  2. Consider a Cloud Backup Solution: In addition to Time Machine, services like Backblaze or Carbonite provide automated, off-site backups, adding an extra layer of protection.

Some Innovations on the Horizon

As a sidenote, there’s been increasing interest and development in AI-based recovery solutions. These emerging technologies aim to have higher success rates by predicting and reconstructing lost file segments even when data seems irretrievable. Something to keep an eye on as it develops.

Disk Drill Data Recovery Software

For those willing to spend a little extra and want an easier-to-use interface, Disk Drill might still be your best bet. They also provide extensive guides and tutorials, and it can scan virtually every type of storage device. Check out more info and download options here: Disk Drill Data Recovery Software.

Hope this helps and wish you luck recovering your files!

Hey there. I get your stress. Losing important files is a nightmare. Here’s my take on this situation.

Explore System Snapshots

If you’re running macOS High Sierra or later, you might want to check if there are system snapshots that could recover your files. Snapshots are taken periodically and might have the files you need. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type in tmutil listlocalsnapshots / and press Enter.
  3. This will show you available snapshots. If there’s one before the deletion date, it might save your bacon.

Dive into Hidden .Trashes

Sometimes, the macOS system holds on to deleted files in hidden trash folders within external drives. If you deleted files from an external drive, connect it and use the Finder to reveal hidden files:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Navigate to the external drive.
  3. Press Cmd + Shift + . to reveal hidden files.
  4. Check the .Trashes folder to see if your lost files are hiding there.

Disk Drill (If You Haven’t Tried Yet)

One of the best tools out there is Disk Drill. You can grab it from the Disk Drill website. It’s fantastic for recovering lost files and it’s super user-friendly. You can run the scan for free and only shell out the cash if it finds your files. Definitely worth a shot for something as crucial as work documents.

Check for Email Attachment Copies

This might sound odd, but sometimes, we’ve sent those important files to clients or colleagues. Dig through your sent emails or even your messaging apps to see if you can find the attachments. Before you press that panic button, give this a shot.

Recover Files from Another Mac User Account

Use Target Disk Mode or another Mac OS user account to see if the files are accessible elsewhere. Here’s how to try it:

  1. Restart your Mac and boot into macOS Recovery (hold Cmd+R while restarting).
  2. From the Utilities menu, select Terminal.
  3. In Terminal, type resetpassword — this brings up the utility to change your user account’s password.
  4. Log into another account or create a new one and check if the files are available.

Document Restoration Services

If your files are paramount and the DIY methods fail, you could consider professional document restoration services, specifically folks who specialize in file recovery. They can often retrieve files from the direst conditions but be prepared; it’s going to cost a chunk of change.

Avoid Quick Fix Online Tools

I see a lot of “miracle” apps pop up each time someone loses files. Tread carefully with these quick fixes as many either do a shallow scan, provide limited recovery, or even worse, risk malware. Stick with reputable names like Disk Drill or the other recommended tools.

Proactive File Management for Future-proofing

Once you get through this crisis, it’s time to rethink your backup strategy. Consider the following:

  1. Bootable Backups: Clone your system using tools like Carbon Copy Cloner. A bootable backup means if something messes up, you can boot directly from your backup drive.
  2. Cloud Sync: Use cloud services like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to keep real-time backups of your documents. I know, internet speed might be a factor, but it’s secure and always accessible.
  3. Redundancy: Backup your backups. Invest in multiple external drives, network-attached storage (NAS), or even other cloud services. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Whatever the method, ensure you’re not working on the same drive where recovery is needed. Every write operation on that disk might make data unrecoverable. Stop using it immediately and switch to another system or drive until you’ve recovered your data.

A Different Approach: Data Recovery Professionals’ Advice

Believe it or not, sometimes hitting up data recovery specialists for advice even before trying home remedies pays off. Many provide initial guidance free of charge. Look up DriveSavers or Secure Data Recovery and give them a call to see their recommendations before you start any DIY procedures.

Hope something here helps you get those crucial files back. Best of luck!