I accidentally deleted important files from my external hard drive while using it on my Mac. I’ve tried a few recovery software tools, but none of them seem to be working. Can anyone recommend a reliable method or software to help me restore these files? Time-sensitive, as I need the data for an urgent project.
Hey there,
It sucks when you accidentally delete files from an external hard drive, especially on a Mac. Recovering data can be a hit or miss, but it’s worth giving another shot with some reliable tools.
First, make sure you haven’t written new data to the external drive after the deletion. This prevents the deleted files from being overwritten. Maybe you have already tried these steps but it’s crucial to reiterate.
Your Mac naturally has some built-in backups if you were using Time Machine, so that’s the first place you should check. If you had Time Machine turned on, plug the drive back into your Mac and use Time Machine to go back to the state before the file deletion happened.
Now, since you mentioned recovery software didn’t work for you, I’d suggest giving Disk Drill
a try. Many folks here seem to have good experiences with it, plus it’s specifically designed for Mac. It’s a powerful tool that often successfully retrieves files that other software may miss out on. Disk Drill provides deep scanning abilities and offers various recovery methods depending on how the data was lost.
You can find Disk Drill here if you want to check it out: Disk Drill. The software isn’t overly complex, which is a plus if you’re not super tech-savvy, but it’s robust enough to handle deep file recoveries.
To use Disk Drill:
- Download and install it from the official site.
- Connect your external hard drive.
- Launch Disk Drill and select the external hard drive.
- Choose the recovery method you want to use—I’d recommend starting with a quick scan and, if it doesn’t work, go for a deeper scan.
- Once the scan is complete, review the files that can be recovered. You can filter files based on type which can save some time.
- Recover the files you need and make sure you save them on a different drive.
Someone else here might have a different perspective or suggestion, but Disk Drill has consistently been a solid recovery tool.
It’s also worth mentioning that if your deleted files were fairly recently removed, your chances of recovery are decent. The longer you wait or the more data you write to the drive, the slimmer your chances get because the space where those files were stored could get overwritten by new data.
If Disk Drill still doesn’t work or you’re looking for a non-software solution, there are data recovery services that can recover files for you, although they can be a bit costly. They’re more appropriate for critically important data when software solutions fail.
You might also want to check out forums such I here and Apple Discussions for user experiences, someone might have found a unique trick or lesser-known software.
Good luck!
I get that you’re frustrated when recovery software doesn’t work—been there, done that. Luckily, nowadays, there are several effective strategies for situations exactly like that.
First, @codecrafter is on the money about avoiding writing new data to the external drive. That’s essential, but let’s dive into more alternatives too, since multiple attempts with the same approach might lead to diminishing returns.
Disk Drill is solid, hands down. It’s got deep scan capabilities, user-friendly interface, and strong Mac compatibility. But, a big downside to Disk Drill is that its advanced features are locked behind a paywall, which might be a turn-off if you’re looking for a completely free solution.
Assuming Disk Drill didn’t pan out for you, have you tried PhotoRec? It’s an open-source program, not exclusive to photos despite the name. Its strength lies in the fact that it can recover numerous file types and handles file systems quite well. However, it’s not the most intuitive in terms of user interface—actually, it’s downright clunky, especially if you’re not a command-line enthusiast.
Here’s a high-level outline for using PhotoRec:
- Download and install PhotoRec.
- Select your external hard drive from the list of available drives.
- Choose the partition where the files were located.
- Opt for the types of files you’re looking to recover.
- Start the recovery process and let PhotoRec do its thing.
The con here is that the learning curve is steep, and it operates in the console, which can be daunting for some.
Another one worth mentioning is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. It’s got a pretty sleek interface compared to PhotoRec, making it more user-friendly for folks who aren’t super tech-savvy. The scanning process is similar to Disk Drill in terms of user flow, but its deep scan isn’t as thorough. Still worth a shot if other methods haven’t worked.
It’s also important to note that you’re balancing the risk of overwriting the deleted data any time you use the same drive. So, it might be prudent to clone the drive before any further recovery attempts. Software like Clonezilla can help with that. Cloning your drive ensures that the original state is preserved, and you can attempt recoveries on the clone instead.
Keep in mind these steps when cloning:
- Download and set up Clonezilla.
- Clone your external hard drive to another drive.
- Disconnect the original drive to preserve its state.
- Use your recovery tools on the cloned drive.
There’s always the option of professional data recovery services. Depending on how vital your files are, it might be worth biting the bullet and paying for the service. These services tend to have more advanced hardware and software solutions that can sometimes retrieve data that’s out of reach for consumer-grade programs.
Lastly, @codecrafter touched on Time Machine. If you were using it, this could be an easier, albeit slower, route to getting your data back. No harm in retracing steps there.
In case all else fails, and you’re comfortable diving deeper into file system intricacies, looking up terms like “file carving” could lead to more flexible software options designed for forensic data recovery. These tools delve into file system structures and recover files in fragmented states.
In summary:
- Clone the drive first.
- Try PhotoRec if you haven’t.
- Give EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard a shot.
- Consider professional recovery services as a last resort.
Hope this helps!
It’s always a nightmare when you delete something important from an external hard drive, especially on a Mac. Given the responses from @techchizkid and @codecrafter, they’re solid but let’s think outside the box a bit for some alternative strategies.
First off, cloning the drive before you go for any more recovery attempts is gold. It’s like creating a safety net to avoid further data loss. Clonezilla was mentioned – consider it your first real safeguard.
Let’s dive into other tools you haven’t explored, possibly because they weren’t highlighted by others. One notable mention is ApowerRecover. This software has a reputation for being user-friendly while still packing a punch in terms of recovery capabilities. It supports all sorts of file recovery which makes it versatile for your current needs.
Here’s a brief walkthrough for ApowerRecover:
- Download and install ApowerRecover from their official website.
- Select the external hard drive you’re looking to recover data from.
- Choose the types of files you’re aiming to retrieve.
- Start the scan process and sift through recoverable items.
Another tool flying under the radar is R-Studio. This is particularly potent when dealing with Macs and can handle corrupted partitions quite effectively. It’s more of a professional-grade tool, often underrated but capable of delivering stellar results.
Using R-Studio:
- Download and install R-Studio.
- Connect your external hard drive and open R-Studio.
- Select the disk and choose the type of scan necessary (quick or deep).
- Once the scan completes, preview and recover the files.
Software aside, a vital aspect often overlooked is checking for system-level backups beyond Time Machine. If you’ve used any cloud services like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox, checking these might save you some hassle. Sometimes files get auto-synced there without you remembering setting it up.
Moreover, if none of these options seem appealing or sufficiently effective, you might want to consider file system-specific tools. For example, TestDisk, which is often bundled with PhotoRec, has remarkable efficiency at recovering lost partitions and making non-booting disks bootable again. However, note it’s more technical and might require a bit of a learning curve.
When utilizing TestDisk:
- Download and run TestDisk.
- Follow through the command-line options to select the affected hard drive.
- Let TestDisk identify the lost partitions and proceed to recover them.
Of course, let’s not completely rule out Disk Drill, as it remains a solid recovery tool, all things considered. It might be worth revisiting Disk Drill with a clean slate, making sure to follow the robust documentation they have to ensure the maximum retrieval results. You can check it out here: Disk Drill Data Recovery Software.
Beyond software methods, don’t forget the last resort being professional data recovery services. True, they can be costly but are equipped with advanced tools and expertise to recover even badly damaged files. Think of them as the final beacon if all else fails.
One last piece of advice: moving forward, consider implementing a more stringent backup routine beyond just relying on physical drives. Diversifying your backup methods by using a combination of cloud storage and redundant physical drives can safeguard against future data loss incidents.
Ultimately, data recovery is often about patience and methodical application of different tools. Sometimes, it’s the lesser-known tools that do the trick with just the right tweak or setting. Best of luck navigating this data-recovery rabbit hole – hope you retrieve those critical files sooner rather than later!