[2024] Recover Deleted Files on Mac Using Approved Guidelines by Professionals

How much do you know about data recovery? First, let me share some stats from the data recovery industry – almost every second user (46%) experiences data loss each year. Want to know the top reasons for data loss? Check out the chart below.

Yes, you read that right: in the collected data, the statistical distribution is:

Did you know that 50% of hard drives fail within 5 years? Without a doubt, hardware failure is the leading cause of data loss.

As a human, you're definitely no stranger to human errors! Most of the time, they are avoidable, but they just happen so unexpectedly. File deletion, accounting for 60% of human errors, is a persistent topic relevant to all kinds of devices: computers, Macs, SSDs, external hard drives, USB drives, cameras, SD cards, and many innovative storage devices in modern society: CCTV, dashcams, drones, etc.

As you can see from the chart, software bugs also cause data loss – and it happens every year. The lost files could be your Word documents, Keynote presentations, Excel spreadsheets, term papers, employment contracts, and the work you've put into Photoshop, Adobe or InDesign projects. Would you feel OK if these files were gone forever due to a software glitch? And while the chance of a burglary in any given year is 15%, ransomware is now the king of viruses that deletes your files!

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Ⅰ. Why Should We Care About Recovering Deleted Files from Mac

Based on unbiased data loss statistics, Windows users likely lose more than Mac users owing to the dominant market share of the Windows operating system. Nonetheless, with its growing market share in recent years, the Mac remains a mainstream device, known for its distinctive design and unparalleled user experience, particularly for designers across industries.

Moreover, ever since the introduction of the M1 chip and the recent release of the MacBook Pro 13 and MacBook Air with the M2 chip, Apple's System Integrity Protection (SIP) rules for accessing system drives have become more stringent than ever for most data recovery software. This makes it increasingly difficult for Mac M1 and M2 users to retrieve their precious files unless they rely on Trash. This is what we aim to help with in this article.

How to Understand "Delete" on a Mac

There are solutions to the problem of missing files on a Mac, but the best recovery method is the one that suits you best, at minimal cost and effort. First, let's figure out how you lost the file. By "file," we mean any type of file with various extensions on your MacBook or iMac: documents (DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, TTF, XLS, XLSX, etc.); images (AI, BMP, C4D, CR2, DJVU, ICO, JP2, JPG, NEF, PNG, PSD, SVG, TIFF, WMF); videos (3G2, AVI, CRM, FLV, M4V, MKV, MOV, MP4, MPG, OGM, RM, WebM, WMV); archives, and audio files...

Meet [Trash] or [Recycling Bin]

It functions similarly to the Recycling Bin on Windows and was previously called Trash, but is now referred to as Bin. It's where files are temporarily stored when they're removed from your Mac's built-in hard drive or an external flash drive, HDD, or camera SD card. The term "temporarily" is key here, as we'll contrast this method of deletion with the permanent one.

How do I move a file to the Recycle Bin or Trash?

• Drag the item to the Trash in the Dock
• Select the item, then press Command-Delete

What methods can be used to permanently delete a file without going through the Recycle Bin?

1. Select a file, then press Option + Command + Delete. Click Delete when prompted. 2. Choose the "Immediately" option. 3. Click the "Empty Trash" button. 4. Enable the "Empty Trash automatically after 30 days" option in Finder preferences.

3. Where Do Files Go When You Delete Them on a Mac?

Here's an oversimplified explanation: when you delete a file on your Mac, it doesn't immediately disappear from your computer. Instead, it's moved to the Trash, where it stays for 30 days until you empty the Trash. That's why sometimes when you open the Trash, you might see deleted files reappear.

Not quite. As noted, files deleted permanently bypass the Recycle Bin and are out of sight, out of mind.

However, this permanent deletion does not really mean that the file is gone for good. The deleted file doesn't actually disappear. When you permanently delete a file, what you lose is the pointer or link to access the file. So, in the first step, we lose the pointer to the location of the file on the storage device. The content of the file remains on the storage medium. However, the area is marked as “free,” allowing us to write new data over the “deleted” data. Technically, therefore, as long as the space has not been overwritten with new data, there is a chance that the deleted file can be fully recovered – provided you use the right tools and methods.

Having the basic know-how about file deletion is crucial, especially for Mac users who are currently going through the heartbreak of losing invaluable files. Now, you can confidently take the next step in preparing to recover deleted files from your Mac's Trash!

IV. Mac Trash Recovery: Recover Deleted Files from the Trash (Not Emptied)

As you read from the Part 3, the files deleted on Mac are kept in the Trash for 30 days. So, if the file you want to recover was deleted within 30 days and you haven't emptied the Trash, you just need to move the needed file out of it. Here's how.

#1. Drag and Drop Functionality

(Recover files from anywhere.)

Step 1: Open the Trash from the Dock.

Step 2: Check the Trash to see if it contains the files you want to restore. Locate and select them if they're there.

Step 3: Drag the recovered items out of the Trash (for example, to the Desktop) to save them.

#2. Restore from a backup option

(Restore the file to its original location.)

Another common approach is to use the “Put Back” option from the “Trash.” This feature allows users to change their minds after an accidental deletion.

Step 1: Open the Trash from your desktop or Dock.

Step 2: Right-click the file you want to restore and select Put Back.

Step 3. The selected file will be restored to its original location.

When we talk about recovering deleted Mac files from the trash, we usually mean content from within the internal drive. However, Mac creates a hidden Trash folder for external devices called “.Trashes.” Set your Mac to show hidden files and folders, then open the “.Trashes” folder and use the same steps you would to recover items from the main Mac Trash to restore content deleted from an external device.

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V. How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Mac Using Software

As mentioned above, once the files in the Mac Trash are expired or you empty the Trash, your deleted files are gone forever. The same goes for data wiped out with Terminal or other keyboard shortcuts. macOS does not entertain the scenario of data recovery in such cases. If you need to recover what seems like permanently lost files, you have to rely on a third-party recovery tool.

Here, we'll be using the Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool. Don't worry if you're new to this or have never tried to recover files on your own. We'll walk you through the steps of how to use this tool for deleted data recovery.

Note: You can create a backup of your Mac first by clicking "Disk Backup" on the left. The software will recover the deleted files from the backup image. It prevents further damage to your disk and data, making it safer and more reliable.

Step 1: Choose a location and scan it.

Launch the Mac Data Recovery Wizard, and select the disk from which you've lost data. Then click "Search for Lost Files" to begin scanning.

Select a location, then click "Search Lost Files".

Step 2: Preview Lost Files after Scanning

Once the scan is complete, you can use the file type filter in the top-left or top-right corner to locate the deleted files you need.

Step 3: Recover Lost Data or Files

You can double-click on a file to preview its content, or select multiple files to recover them all at once. Click “Recover” to restore the lost data to your local or cloud drive.

Congratulations! You have successfully recovered your permanently deleted file. This method also works for restoring files that you deleted from your Mac without using Time Machine.

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VI. Recover Deleted Files from Mac without Software

Using a third-party data recovery tool, you stand a better chance of retrieving data lost accidentally. Specifically, this refers to situations where the data itself or the disk storing the data is damaged unintentionally, without a backup in place. For instance, your Mac drive might have been accidentally formatted or erased, or the drive could be damaged – all instances of “accidental data loss.”

You can use any of the following alternative methods to recover permanently deleted files from a Mac without software.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Files Using the Terminal

(Recover Files Only from Mac Trash)

Mac Terminal is a command-line interface on macOS. It is typically used by network administrators and advanced technical users who wish to perform actions that are not supported by the operating system's graphical user interface. In the Terminal, users can directly input commands to execute various tasks, such as managing files, controlling system settings, running scripts, or interacting with remote servers. This is a powerful tool for users familiar with Unix or Linux command-line utilities.

You can recover permanently deleted files from Terminal on Mac, but this method only works for retrieving deleted files from the Trash on Mac. Just follow the steps in order, and you won't go wrong.

Step 1: Click on "Applications" -> "Utilities," and then double-click on "Terminal."

Step 2: Type the command cd Trash in Terminal, and press “Enter.”

Step 3: Type `mv xxx ../`. Replace "xxx" with the full name of the file you deleted. Press the "_return_" key.

This step is very important! You must enter the full name of the deleted file!

Step 4: Type Quit in the Terminal window.

Step 5: Open a new "Finder" window. Type the name of your deleted file in the search bar in the top-right corner of the window to locate your recovered file.

Method 2: Restore the Deleted File from Time Machine

(Only if you have backed up the deleted files)

When you make it a habit to regularly back up your files, using third-party software isn't the only way to retrieve your data. On macOS, the built-in backup tool is Time Machine. Apple recommends having an external hard drive on hand as a backup disk. You can use Time Machine to back up both your files and your operating system. If you had a backup of the file you lost, restoring from a backup can get you out of a bind. We'll show you how to recover a file from Time Machine in the steps below.

Step 1: Connect your Time Machine backup disk to your Mac.

On your Mac, open the window for the item you want to recover.

For example, if the deleted file was in the “Documents” folder, open that window. If the deleted file was on your desktop, you don't need to open any windows.

Step 3: Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar. If you don't see the icon, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Time Machine, and select Show Time Machine in Menu Bar.

Step 4. Use the arrows and timeline to browse your local snapshots and backups, then select the one that contains the deleted file.

Step 5: Select the item(s) you wish to restore (this can be a folder or an entire disk), then click “Restore.” The recovered files will be restored to their original location.

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VII. Use a Data Recovery Service to Retrieve Deleted Files

Upon seeing this title, you might ask, why do I need data recovery services? What can I get from them? Generally, manual data recovery services aim to help users with more severe data loss issues, such as formatted drives, RAW disks, lost partitions, failed repartitioning, system startup errors, and corrupted virtual disks. With this cost-effective one-on-one manual recovery service, you can consult experts and acquire a tailored data recovery plan.

The Data Recovery Wizard Pro Service Tool is one of the fastest and safest options to enjoy comprehensive data recovery anytime, anywhere. Since 2004, it has dedicated itself to providing high-end professional data recovery services to users. The platform boasts a highly qualified and experienced specialist team who distill their expertise into a flawless tool.

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Tool Data Recovery Services

Contact our experts for a free assessment.

Consult with our Tool Data Recovery specialists for one-on-one manual recovery services. After a free diagnosis, we offer the following services:

• Repair damaged external drives, unbootable macOS, and corrupted files
• Recover/repair lost partitions and reformatted drives
• Undo hard drive formatting and repair original drives
• Fix unmountable disks

8. Data Recovery Comparison: Which Method is Better?

As you can see, there're various methods for Mac data recovery. But which is the best? Which is better? Here we've made a comparison table of some common recovery options. Learn more about your choices for data recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I recover permanently deleted files from Mac without software in UTF-8 format?

There are two ways you can attempt to recover a permanently deleted file: with a command line in the Terminal, or from a Time Machine backup. With the Terminal, you can only restore files that were deleted from your Mac's built-in drive or emptied from the Trash. Time Machine only contains what you've chosen to back up.

2. Are files deleted from Mac gone for good?

When you delete files on a Mac, they're moved to the Trash and kept there for 30 days. So, as long as this 30-day period hasn't passed, your deleted files aren't gone for good. You can recover them from the Trash. However, if you've emptied the Trash, your deleted files are now considered permanently removed. But “permanently removed” doesn't mean “gone forever.” You can still recover them with a data recovery software like the Mac Data Recovery Wizard.

3. What is the best data recovery software for Mac?

Here are five of the most common free data recovery software for Mac:

1. Mac Data Recovery Wizard (Free) 2. Disk Drill 3. PhotoRec 4. TestDisk 5. Exif Untrasher

4. Where can I find my deleted files on Mac?

On your Mac's desktop, you should see a Trash icon in the Dock. Double-click it to open the Trash and view all the files that have been deleted from your Mac.

5. How to recover recently deleted files on Mac?

1. Open the Trash on your Mac's desktop. 2. Search for the name of the file you recently deleted. 3. Right-click the file you want to restore, then click Put Back. 4. The file will be restored to its original location.

6. Is there any way to recover an emptied Trash?

Yes! Once you've emptied the Trash on your Mac, stop using it immediately. Then download and install a data recovery tool, such as Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, to scan your Mac system drive and see if the deleted files show up in the scan results.

7. Does Apple have data-recovery software?

No, you can only recover deleted files from the Trash, a Time Machine backup (if one was made before the file was deleted), or using a third-party data recovery utility.

8. How do I undo a delete operation in the Terminal on a Mac?

1. Navigate to "Applications" > "Utilities," then double-click on "Terminal" to open the app. 2. In Terminal, type the following command: `cd .Trash` and press "Enter." 3. Input: `mv xxx ../`. Replace "xxx" with the complete name of the deleted file, and then press "Enter." 4. Type `Quit` in the Terminal window and press "Enter." 5. Open a "Finder" window. In the search bar at the top right corner of the window, enter the name of the deleted file to locate the recovered file.