How to recover deleted files on Mac?

Data Recovery
1

Accidentally deleted some important files on my Mac and can’t find them anywhere, even in Trash. Are there any methods or tools to recover these files? I really need them back for a project.

2

Hey, I feel your pain with losing important files—it’s frustrating! There are several ways you might be able to recover those. Check these out:

  1. Time Machine Backup: If you’ve set up Time Machine, you’re in luck. Connect the backup drive, open the folder where your files were, and click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar. Browse into the past to locate the deleted files, then click “Restore.”

  2. Check iCloud: Sometimes, if you have iCloud Drive enabled, your files might be saved there. Head to iCloud.com, log in, and check the “Recently Deleted” folder.

  3. Third-Party Software: This is your best bet if the files are not in Time Machine or iCloud. I’ve personally used this tool called Disk Drill

    . It’s seriously a lifesaver when it comes to recovering lost files. Disk Drill offers a pretty robust recovery system for Mac. You download it from here. It scans your drive and can restore files even after they’ve been deleted from the Trash.

  4. Built-in Mac Terminal: For those who are a bit comfortable with the Terminal, you might want to try using some Unix commands to see if the files can be found in any lost directories. Use commands like sudo lsof | grep '/Users/' to look for files that might still be in an open state or not completely overwritten yet.

  5. Check Other Drives: Sometimes we save files in other drives/external storage or even on network drives. Double-check all other sources.

  6. Rebuilding the Directory: Occasionally, drive directory issues cause files to disappear. Tools like Disk Utility can help you run First Aid on the drive, but this isn’t the same as file recovery—it’s just a general health check.

Remember, if you’re going with Disk Drill, follow the instructions carefully. Install it on an external storage device if possible, to minimize the risk of overwriting your deleted files.

Lastly, practice preventive measures in the future—regularly back up your data using Time Machine, iCloud, or other cloud services. Also, keep your Trash in check; you can prolong the time files stay in Trash before they get permanently deleted.

Good luck! Hope you get your files back!

3

codecrafter gave a lot of solid advice there. Just adding a couple of more bits based on my own experiences.

First thing that comes to mind—don’t panic. Sounds cliche, but panic often leads to mistakes that can further diminish chances of recovery. Specifically, avoid installing anything new directly on your Mac’s main drive. This can help ensure you don’t overwrite the areas of the drive where your deleted files reside.

Now, let’s take it one step further. Verbose Logging: Sometimes, verbose logging enabled on your Mac can capture system activity logs that could hint at where the files were last seen or where they might’ve gone. You should check the Console.app, but be wary—it’s a bit like finding a needle in a haystack.

SIP (System Integrity Protection): If you’re a bit tech savvy, temporarily disabling SIP can sometimes unlock tools or processes that might help in the recovery process. However, this should be your absolute last resort as it opens up your system to potential vulnerabilities.

For the more technical approach, employing commands in Terminal like find paired with specific criteria (e.g., file type, date modified) might uncover hidden gems. Beware, Terminal commands can be tricky and one wrong move can make matters worse.

Recover from External Drives and Cloud Services: If you have any habits like me, sometimes you’ve randomly saved important docs to USBs, external HDDs, or even odd cloud services. I learned the hard way that disorganization can occasionally save your hide!

Disk Drill is indeed a robust tool and a popular one. However, bear in mind it’s not foolproof. One con I found while using it is that extensive scanning can take a lot of time and may not guarantee full recovery—sometimes the files come back incomplete or corrupted. Pros include its user-friendly interface and comprehensive recovery algorithms. I’ve also heard of folks having good success with Stellar Data Recovery and EaseUS, though I can’t vouch for them personally.

Here are a few last-minute pointers to improve your odds:

  1. Run Disk Drill from a Bootable USB:
    Creating a bootable USB drive with Disk Drill minimizes the risk of contaminating the data sectors where your deleted files might be residing.

  2. Secure Backup Habits:
    Develop a habit of backing up project-critical files not just on Time Machine but also on another medium—manual snapshots stored in cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox can be a fallback.

  3. Seek Professional Help:
    If these DIY methods don’t work and the files are absolutely crucial, consulting with professional data recovery services might be a steep, but sometimes essential, step. However, these services can be expensive and sometimes involve shipping your drive, leading to potential privacy concerns.

Lastly, it may be an overkill, but DR (Disaster Recovery) Plans are worth looking into if you manage highly sensitive data. Tools like Carbon Copy Cloner can be employed to create regular bootable backups of your entire system.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure, keeping your Trash hygiene in practice might seem petty but really, it’s a lifesaver in moments like these. A couple of times I’ve been able to retrieve files by remembering an obscure, second copy I made somewhere!

Good luck with the retrieval. We’ve all been there and come out fine!

4

Ok, you’ve already gotten some good advice, but let me throw in my 2 cents. File recovery can be tricky, so buckle up and let’s get practical:

  1. Boot in Recovery Mode: Sometimes, your Mac’s built-in recovery mode can help. Reboot your Mac and hold Command + R as it starts up. Once in Recovery Mode, you can use Disk Utility to see if your lost files are still accessible. This is basic, but it might work.

  2. Look for Hidden Files: Files can sometimes be marked as hidden. Use Terminal to uncover these. Open Terminal and type defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE; killall Finder. This makes all hidden files visible. Browse through your directories after enabling this to see if your files resurface.

  3. Encrypted or Time-Stamped Backups: Some cloud services or even local backups provide encryption or timestamp features. Check your backup provider—sometimes you might have previous versions saved without even knowing it.

  4. Single User Mode: If you’re slightly tech-savvy, boot into Single User Mode by restarting your Mac and holding Command + S. You’ll see a black screen full of white text. Type fsck -fy and hit Enter. This command checks the file system for errors. Follow it up with reboot to restart your Mac normally. It’s a long shot, but sometimes it irons out file system hiccups that make files seem deleted.

  5. Log Analysis with Console: As mentioned by others, Console.app can be invaluable. However, narrowed-down keyword searches make it more manageable. Filter logs using specific keywords relevant to your missing files. There’s a lot of noise, but patience might pay off.

  6. Network Drives and Emails: Files often sneak their way into emails or collaborative tools. Check your sent items or any cloud service integrations like Google Drive or Dropbox you might’ve used unconsciously. Sometimes collaboration tools have version history you can revert to.

  7. Professional Tools: Disk Drill (yeah, it’s a favorite around here) is pretty solid. But in case you’re skeptical, you might want to check out Stellar Data Recovery or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard as well. They boast strong algorithms and user-friendly interfaces. You can find Disk Drill here: Disk Drill Data Recovery Software.

  8. System Integrity Protection (SIP): Temporarily disabling SIP to use advanced recovery tools isn’t for everyone, but it can help. Boot in Recovery Mode, open Terminal and type csrutil disable; reboot. Then use advanced recovery software. Don’t forget to re-enable SIP afterwards (csrutil enable; reboot).

  9. Run Disk Drill from an External Drive: Minimize overwriting of deleted files by running recovery tools from an external drive. If Disk Drill is your weapon of choice, install it externally first.

  10. File Recovery Services: When all else fails, don’t feel too bad about resorting to professional data recovery services. It’s costly, but businesses like DriveSavers offer thorough recovery services with high success rates—definitely a last resort but a lifesaver in dire situations.

  11. Verbose Logs and SIP Checks: While verbose logs are great, they can be overwhelming. Focus on file system operations around the time you remember deleting the files. After disabling SIP, inspect if additional files or directories emerge.

In a nutshell, the key is acting swiftly yet cautiously. Overwriting is the enemy of data recovery! Avoid downloading or installing new programs on your main drive. Double-check cloud services, mess around with some Terminal tricks, and keep third-party recovery tools handy. If nothing bites, professional help is your last beacon. Fingers crossed you get back your files and don’t forget—lesson learned: BACKUP!

Good luck, really hope you nail this!