How to Recover Deleted Files on macOS: Easy Steps with Free Software | backup files macOS | Time Machine setup | cloud storage macOS.
Losing important files on your Mac can be frustrating, but don’t panic just yet! You can still recover deleted files, even if you’ve emptied the Trash. Whether you accidentally deleted a document, photo, or video, there are several ways to restore lost files on macOS. In this blog, we will guide you step-by-step on how to recover your deleted files using free software, even those that were removed from the Trash.
Let's explore the most effective ways to recover your deleted files and some free software options to help with the process.
Step 1: Check the Trash Folder
When you delete files on your Mac, they are usually sent to the Trash instead of being permanently erased. Before diving into recovery software, always check your Trash folder.
How to Recover Files from Trash:
- Click on the Trash icon in your dock.
- Browse through the deleted files and find the ones you want to restore.
- Right-click on the file and select Put Back to return it to its original location.
This is the quickest and easiest method to recover files that are not permanently deleted. If the files are not in your Trash, don’t worry—there are other options.
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Step 2: Use Time Machine Backup (If Enabled)
macOS has a built-in feature called Time Machine, which automatically backs up your system. If you’ve set up Time Machine, you can restore your deleted files from a backup.
How to Restore Files from Time Machine:
- Connect your Time Machine backup drive (if it’s an external drive).
- Open the folder where the deleted file was located.
- Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select Enter Time Machine.
- Use the timeline on the right side to navigate to a time before the file was deleted.
- Select the file you want to restore and click Restore.
This method works only if you have Time Machine set up before the file was deleted. It’s a great feature to have enabled for regular backups.
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Step 3: Use Free Data Recovery Software
If your files aren’t in the Trash and you don’t have a Time Machine backup, you can use free data recovery software. These tools can scan your Mac’s storage for files that are still recoverable, even after being permanently deleted.
1. Disk Drill
Disk Drill offers a free version that can recover up to 500MB of lost files. It’s a reliable tool for recovering various types of files, including those that have been emptied from the Trash.
How to Use Disk Drill:
- Download and install Disk Drill from its official website.
- Launch the program and select the drive where your deleted files were stored (usually your Mac’s internal drive).
- Click Search for Lost Data to begin the scan.
- Once the scan is complete, browse through the results and locate the files you want to recover.
- Select the files and click Recover to restore them to a safe location.
Disk Drill’s free version allows you to recover up to 500MB of data, making it a great option for small file recoveries.
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2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac
EaseUS offers a free data recovery tool that can help you recover up to 2GB of data for free. This tool is easy to use and can help restore files lost from the Trash.
How to Use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard:
- Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.
- Launch the program and select the drive where the deleted files were stored.
- Click Scan to begin the search for lost files.
- Once the scan completes, browse the results and select the files you want to restore.
- Click Recover, and choose a safe location to save the recovered files.
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3. PhotoRec
PhotoRec is a free, open-source file recovery tool that can recover various file types, including documents, photos, and videos. It works well with macOS and is a powerful tool for recovering permanently deleted files.
How to Use PhotoRec:
- Download PhotoRec from its official website.
- Install and launch the program.
- Select the drive you want to scan and choose the file type to recover.
- Start the scan. PhotoRec will look for recoverable files and display them as it finds them.
- Once the scan finishes, select the files to restore and choose a location to save them.
PhotoRec is great for recovering various types of files and is 100% free.
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Step 4: Prevent Future Data Loss
After successfully recovering your deleted files, it’s important to take preventive measures to avoid data loss in the future. Here are a few tips:
- Enable Time Machine: Set up Time Machine to back up your Mac automatically. This will give you peace of mind knowing your files are regularly backed up.
- Use cloud storage: Services like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox provide easy backup solutions. Storing files in the cloud ensures they are accessible from anywhere and recoverable if lost.
- Create manual backups: Use external drives or USB sticks to back up important files on your Mac.
Conclusion
Accidentally deleting files on macOS can be a stressful situation, but there are plenty of options to recover them. Whether you check your Trash, use Time Machine, or employ free data recovery software like Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or PhotoRec, you have several ways to restore lost files.
Remember, the key to avoiding data loss in the future is regular backups. Enable Time Machine or use cloud storage to ensure that your files are always safe and recoverable.
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By following these steps, you can easily recover deleted files on your Mac and take precautions to ensure they’re always safe in the future.
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