Data loss on a Mac hard drive can be a daunting experience, but there are several free Mac data recovery software and manual methods available that you can try to restore lost data. Whether your file is deleted due to accidental deletion, data corruption, or a system failure, you can easily get your lost or deleted data back. This comprehensive guide will explore free hard disk recovery software for Mac to restore your files effectively, ensuring your data is not lost forever. So, let’s get started!
Common Reasons for Deletion of Data from Mac Hard Disk
Before you use any Mac data recovery software or apply other workarounds to restore your files from a hard disk, it is important to find the exact cause of your data loss. Here are some common reasons for the deletion of data on a Mac hard disk:
- Accidental Deletion: One of the main reasons for data loss is simply accidental deletion. You may have mistakenly deleted files while emptying space, organizing files, or performing some disk operations.
- Formatting: Accidentally formatting the wrong partition or drive can also cause data loss. Such instances generally occur due to system updates, disk management activities, or while fixing disk-related errors.
- File System Corruption: Sometimes, the file system can become corrupted due to improper shutdowns, software conflicts, or hardware failures. Corruption can make the entire drive or certain sections of it inaccessible.
- Malware and Viruses: Though Macs are less prone to malicious programs like viruses and malware as compared to Windows PCs, but can still infect macOS systems, leading to data corruption or deletion.
- Power Failures: Sudden power outages or surges can lead to the deletion of unsaved data and potentially corrupt open files or even the file system.
Recover Files from Mac Hard Disk Using Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac
If you are looking for an easy and quick approach to recover deleted files on Mac, then a Mac data recovery software will definitely be the best choice. You can use a free hard disk recovery software for Mac to restore your files easily and effectively. Tools like Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac allow you to restore lost data of any type, including photos, videos, documents, etc.
- You can use the Stellar Data Recovery Free software to restore data lost or deleted due to any reason, including accidental deletion, formatting, virus attacks, etc.
- The software is compatible with macOS like macOS Monterey, macOS BigSur 11.0, macOS 10.15 and below.
- The software supports data recovery from multiple storage devices including HDD, USB, SD Card, SSD, digital camera, and more.
- It is a 100% safe and secure tool. Also, offers a user-friendly interface for easy recovery of lost files.
- Allows you to preview the repaired files before saving them on your Mac.
- The software is also available in multiple paid versions which offer amazing features.
Here’s how to restore your files on a Mac hard disk using the Stellar Data Recovery Free software:
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 data you need to restore and click Next.
Step 2: Now, choose the storage location where your deleted data was earlier stored and click Scan. Wait till the scanning process is completed.
Step 3: Once the scan is completed, preview the recoverable files and choose the files you need to save back on your Mac. Click the Recover button to save selected files at the desired location.
Other Alternatives to Restore Your Files from Mac Hard Disk
Along with the above-mentioned free Mac data recovery software to restore lost files on Mac hard disk, there are several manual methods that you can use for quick recovery of lost data. In this part of the blog, we’ll discuss some manual methods to restore those lost files:
Method 01: Use Time Machine Backups
Time Machine is macOS’s built-in data backup utility, which allows you to create a backup of important files on Mac and then restore them when data loss occurs. To restore lost files on Mac using Time Machine backups, you need to:
- Firstly, connect the Time Machine backup drive to your Mac.
- Click on Time Machine icon from the menu bar and select “Enter Time Machine”.
- Use the timeline on the right pane to choose a date before the files were deleted or corrupted.
- Now, go through the Finder-like interface to locate the files or folders that you need to recover.
- Select all the required files and click the Restore button to recover selected files at their original location.
Method 02: Use Terminals to Recover Lost Data
For advanced users who are comfortable with command-line tools, Terminals can be the best option for quick recovery of lost files. All you have to do is:
- Go to Application > Utilities > Terminal.
- Now, type the command: diskutil list to display a list of all connected disks and partitions.
- Select the volume where your deleted files were earlier stored.
- Use the command: sudo dd if=/dev/diskX of=~/Desktop/backup.dmg bs=512 (replace diskX with the correct disk identifier) to create a disk image of the affected volume.
- After that, mount the disk image using Disk Utility.
- Once you are done with the above steps, use free Mac data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Free to scan the disk image for recoverable files without any cost.
Conclusion
Restoring files from a Mac hard disk can be achieved through various methods, each depending on different data loss scenarios. Whether you leverage built-in macOS features like Time Machine or use any third-party free data recovery software, the key is to act quickly and follow the steps carefully. For more severe cases, professional data recovery services are also available. By understanding these methods, you can effectively safeguard your data and ensure that accidental deletions or system failures don’t result in permanent data loss.
