User Scenario: Oh No! Accidentally Formatted Mac Hard Drive, How to Recover Unformatted?

"Is there any way or software to recover formatted Mac hard drive? I accidentally formatted an 80 GB Fujitsu external hard drive while backing up my Mac with Time Machine. This drive contains thousands of family photos. How can I get them back? Please help!"

Have you ever encountered the same issue? If you are in such a situation, then you might be desperately looking for a way to recover data from formatted Mac hard drive. You may think that it is difficult, or even impossible, to retrieve data from a formatted hard drive. However, the truth is that you can do that with a high success rate.

For formatted Mac hard drive recovery, the most important thing is to find a professional and user-friendly Mac data recovery tool. We highly recommend that you try the Mac Data Recovery software, which has the highest success rate in recovering formatted hard drives on Mac.

Free Download Software for Formatting Mac Hard Drive Recovery

As long as the old data isn't overwritten, it's possible to recover data from a formatted hard drive. It's actually pretty simple to recover a formatted hard drive on a Mac.

Simply download and use the Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool, which has over a decade of experience in the field of data recovery. Its superior product quality and data retrieval capabilities set it apart from the competition, making it one of the best Mac file recovery tools available.

Tool Data Recovery Software allows you to:

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    • Recover deleted files on Mac from all formatted storage devices, like SSD, USB flash drive, SD/CF card, digital camera, and more.
    • Retrieve files under various data loss scenarios, including accidental deletion, formatting, system crash, emptied Trash, virus attack, and more.
    • Restore almost any type of image, video, audio, archive, or document file.
    • Retrieve files from APFS, HFS+, HFS X, FAT (FAT16, FAT32), exFAT, and NTFS partitions.

All in all, Data Recovery Wizard can help you not only recover a formatted hard drive and get your lost data back but also restore permanently deleted files on a Mac, retrieve lost data after reinstalling the operating system, and salvage files from a formatted USB drive, among other things.

How to Recover Formatted Mac Hard Drive in 3 Steps Step 1: Choose the Right Recovery Tool Before starting the recovery process, you need to select a reliable Mac data recovery software. We recommend using tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. This software effectively scans and retrieves data from formatted hard drives. Visit its official website to download and install the software. [Download tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Now](https://www.tools.com/datarecoverywizard/mac-data-recovery.htm) Step 2: Scan the Formatted Hard Drive 1. Launch the installed tools Data Recovery Wizard. 2. On the main interface, select the formatted Mac hard drive and click the "Scan" button. 3. The software will perform a quick scan and a deep scan to locate all lost files. 4. Preview and choose the files you want to recover after the scan is complete. Step 3: Recover the Data 1. Confirm that all the files you wish to recover are selected, then click the "Recover" button. 2. Choose a secure location to save the recovered files, ensuring you don't overwrite any other potentially lost data. 3. Wait for the recovery process to finish. Please note that it's crucial to perform the recovery as soon as possible after data loss to prevent overwriting deleted or formatted files. Additionally, regularly backing up your Mac hard drive can prevent such issues from occurring.

With this easy-to-use Mac Format Recovery software, you can recover data from formatted hard drive on Mac with simple steps:

Step 1: Select the location to scan

Run the Mac Data Recovery Wizard, select the hard drive, SSD, SD card, USB flash drive, or TF card from which you lost data. Click “Find Lost Files” to start scanning.

Note: It's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar to back up your Mac before data recovery, in case of further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data again.

Select the location, and then click “Search Lost Files”

Step 2: Filter Lost Mac Data

The software will automatically scan for lost data on your MacBook or iMac. Once the scan is complete, you can filter out the desired data using the “Type” and “Path” buttons.

Filter lost files by type

Step 3: Recover the lost data or files

Double-click a file to preview it, and then click the “Recover” button to restore your lost data to another location.

Click on the “Recover” button to restore the lost data.

You can also apply these steps to recover files from formatted external hard drive on Mac. Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a versatile tool that can meet all your needs. Since data loss happens frequently due to various reasons, it's a wise choice to equip your Mac with a data recovery tool so that it can help you restore lost data when accidental data loss occurs. Don't hesitate, give it a try.

How to Free Recover Formatted Hard Drive on Mac

To free recover data from formatted hard drive on Mac, you can use the free version of Data Recovery Wizard. This free data recovery software allows you to recover up to 2 GB of data. If your formatted data is less than 2 GB, you can use the free version. Otherwise, you'll need the pro version to recover more data.

Many users are searching for a free data recovery software for Mac, you can share Data Recovery Wizard for Mac with your friends and help them easily recover lost data.

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Why Can We Recover Data from Formatted Hard Drive on Mac?

Files can be recovered from a formatted hard drive due to the way operating systems remove data. When you delete a file or format a partition, you're only removing the entry – not the file itself. Whether it's Windows or macOS, files aren't immediately and completely erased after deletion; the space occupied by the deleted data is merely marked as available for the operating system to use later.

Ideally, you should stop using the hard drive after formatting or deleting files, then run a data recovery program to scan for and restore lost files. The sooner you attempt data recovery after deleting files, the more likely it is to be successful.

Bonus Tip: How to Protect Your Data on a Mac Hard Drive

Formatting leads to data loss only when new data is written to the space that has been marked as free. So, the key is to stop using the hard drive for any new data storage, in order to maximize the chances of recovery with software tools.

Backing up data is much simpler than recovering it. You can protect your files by copying them to an external hard drive or uploading them to a cloud drive. If your information changes frequently, use Mac backup and recovery software like Todo Backup to back up your data regularly. With it, you can back up your files easily and quickly. Follow the steps below to safeguard your Mac data:

Step 1: Launch and run the Todo Backup for Mac tool.

Click the “Backup” tab, or simply click the "+" button in the bottom left to create a new backup task – name your backup and click “OK.”

Set up Mac data backup

Step 2: Set up the backup destination to store your Mac's files as a backup, how often you want it backed up, etc., then click “OK.”

Back up Mac Data without Time Machine

Step 3: Add files and folders to the backup job. Click “File +” to select files and folders individually. Click the blue Start button to back up your Mac files.

Other useful ways to protect files on your Mac's hard drive

Format the hard drive carefully Formatting a hard drive will result in data loss. Exercise caution to avoid accidentally formatting the wrong drive.
Use antivirus software Install and update antivirus software to minimize the risk of virus and malware infections.
Avoid overusing your computer Prevent overheating and moisture to protect the hard drive from damage. Keep your device cool to ensure data safety.
Prevent data overwrite Stop using the hard drive immediately if data loss occurs. Otherwise, newly saved files might overwrite the lost data.
Utilize professional tools Employ a reliable Mac data recovery tool to restore a formatted drive on your Mac.

The bottom line?

You can use a data recovery software tool to help retrieve data from a formatted Mac hard drive. It can also restore data lost due to system crashes, corruption, inaccessibility, or HDD damage on both Mac and Windows systems for various reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions on Formatting Mac Hard Drive Recovery

Here are some common questions that might interest you. See if any of them apply to your situation.

Can you recover a formatted hard drive?

Yes, you can. If you reformatted the hard drive on a Mac with Quick Format, you can still recover all the data from the hard drive. As long as the lost files haven't been overwritten by new data, you can use a hard drive recovery tool to unformat the hard drive and retrieve your lost files.

How to recover files from a formatted Mac hard drive?

To format your Mac's hard drive and recover files, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch the Mac data recovery software. Select the disk location and then click on the “Scan” button.

Step 2: The software will immediately scan the disk volume you chose, and display the scan results in the left pane.

Step 3: Select the files you want to recover from the scan results and click on “Recover Now” to get them back.

How do I format an external hard drive on a Mac?

How to Format an External Hard Drive

Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to your Mac. Launch the Mac data recovery software, select the disk location, and click “Scan.”

Step 2: The software will scan your external hard drive and display the scanning results on the left.

Step 3: From the scan results, select the files you want to recover and click the “Restore Now” button to save them.

How to fix a damaged hard drive on your Mac? 1. Connect an external hard drive: First, attach a healthy external hard drive to your Mac to store any recovered data. 2. Shut down the computer: Make sure your Mac is completely turned off, not in sleep or hibernation mode. 3. Boot into Recovery Mode: Press the power button to turn on your Mac, and immediately hold down Command + R keys after hearing the startup sound. This will boot your Mac into Recovery Mode. 4. Select Disk Utility: In Recovery Mode, you'll see a Utilities window. From the left menu, choose "Disk Utility." 5. Scan the hard drive: In Disk Utility, select the internal hard drive you want to repair, then click "Verify Disk." If issues are found, try clicking "Repair Disk." 6. Erase the drive if unrepairable: If Disk Utility can't fix the hard drive, you might need to erase the entire drive and reinstall macOS. Select the drive, click "Erase," and follow the prompts. Note that this will delete all data. 7. Recover data: Attempt to restore lost files from the external hard drive using Time Machine backups or data recovery software like Disk Drill or Data Rescue. 8. Reinstall macOS: Back in the main Recovery Mode window, choose "Reinstall macOS." Follow the on-screen instructions to install the new operating system. 9. Migrate data: Once the new system is installed, use "Migration Assistant" to transfer backed-up data to the new system. 10. Prevent future issues: Regularly back up your data using Time Machine or another backup solution to avoid similar problems in the future. Exercise caution, and if unsure, seek professional assistance to avoid further damage to the hard drive or loss of data.

Before you attempt to fix a damaged hard drive on your Mac or an external one, it's best to back up and recover data from the damaged drive first to prevent any potential loss of information due to mishandling. Here are some methods you can try: 1. **Use Disk Utility:** - Connect the damaged drive to your Mac. - Open "Disk Utility" (found in /Applications/Utilities). - Select the problematic drive on the left sidebar. - Click on "First Aid" in the top menu, then click "Run" to start the disk verification and repair process. 2. **Reformat the Drive:** - If Disk Utility fails to repair the drive, you may need to reformat it. Be aware that this will erase all data. - In Disk Utility, select the drive, then click "Erase" in the top menu. - Choose a format (usually "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" for internal drives or "ExFAT" for external drives compatible with both Macs and Windows), give it a name, and click "Erase." 3. **Third-Party Tools:** - You can use third-party software like Disk Drill, Stellar Repair for Mac, or Data Rescue to scan and recover data before repairing the drive. - These tools often provide more advanced features for diagnosing and fixing issues. 4. **Hardware Issues:** - If the drive is physically damaged, it might require professional assistance. Contact the manufacturer or a data recovery service for help. 5. **OS X Recovery Mode:** - Restart your Mac while holding down the Command + R keys to boot into macOS Recovery. - From there, open Disk Utility and follow the steps mentioned earlier. Remember, always prioritize data safety by backing up important files before attempting any repairs.

  • Method 1: Make Sure the External Hard Drive Is Properly Connected to Your Mac
  • Method 2: Use Disk Utility's "First Aid" to Check and Repair Minor Logical Issues with the Damaged Drive
  • Method 3: Repair a Damaged External Hard Drive by Formatting It

How do I read a Mac-formatted drive on a Windows PC?

You can use a third-party tool on Windows called HFSExplorer to access drives formatted with Apple's HFS+ file system. This is a completely free way to access and read drives formatted for Mac on a Windows computer.

To use HFSExplorer, please follow these steps:

First, install HFSExplorer like you would any other Windows program.

Step 2: Connect the formatted drive to your Windows computer, and start HFSExplorer.

Step 3: Click the “File” menu and select “Load File System from Device.” It will automatically detect any connected drives, and you can load it from there.

Step 4: You'll then see the contents of the HFS+ disk. Select the files or folders you want, click “Extract,” and choose a folder to copy the files to.

Read a Mac-formatted hard drive on Windows with HFSExplorer