How to Recover Lost Files on macOS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Instances like the sudden deletion of important files on your macOS can happen to you at any time. Whether your files are deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, or system errors, don’t lose hope as recovering deleted files is often easier than you think. Luckily, macOS provides several built-in tools and third-party free Mac data recovery software that can help you recover lost data. 

This comprehensive guide walks you through the steps to recover lost files on Mac. Just go with these methods one-by-one to recover lost files effectively!

Common Reasons for Files Deletion on MacOS

Though macOS is known for its robust security features, you may sometimes encounter data loss issues on your device. Identifying the cause of file deletion helps in applying the right recovery solutions. Some of the main reasons why files get deleted on macOS are:

• Accidental Deletion: You may have accidentally deleted files while performing other tasks on your Mac.
• Emptying the Trash: Deleted files usually go to the Trash folder; emptying the Trash can lead to permanent deletion.
• System Crashes: Unexpected shutdowns or macOS crashes cause sudden corruption or deletion of stored files.
• Hard Drive Formatting: Reformatting storage devices without ensuring proper backups of important data is also the main reason for data loss.
• Hardware Failures: Hardware components of your Mac get damaged due to instances like SSD wear, hard drive failures, or bad sectors resulting in data loss.
• Improper Eject of Drives: Disconnecting external storage devices improperly during data transfer.

How do I Recover Lost Files on Mac for Free?

Here are some quick and easy recovery workarounds that you can follow to restore lost files on Mac. Let’s begin:

Method 01: Check the Trash Folder

Every deleted file on macOS goes to the Trash folder and remains there until it is permanently removed or gets automatically deleted after a few days (say 30 days). Before diving into other recovery methods, it is important to check the Trash folder. Here’s how you can recover files from the Trash:

• Firstly, click the Trash icon from the Dock.
• Use the search bar at the top-right corner or manually browse through the files.
• Select and right-click on the file you want to recover. Choose the “Put Back” option to restore the file to its original location.

If the deleted file isn’t in the Trash, it may have been permanently deleted. In such cases, you can try other recovery methods given below.

Method 02: Use Spotlight to Find Missing Files

Sometimes, the file isn’t actually deleted on your Mac. It is just misplaced at another location. Spotlight, macOS’s powerful search tool, can help locate missing files. For this:

• Press the Command + Space keys to activate Spotlight.
• Type the file name, keyword, or file extension (e.g., .docx for Word documents) of your missing file.
• Once the required file is found, save it to a safe location on your Mac.

Method 03: Use Time Machine Backups 

macOS’s built-in Time Machine backup utility automatically saves versions of your files on a regular basis. If you have enabled Time Machine on your Mac, follow these steps to recover your files:

• Connect the Time Machine backup drive to your Mac.
• Open the folder where your deleted file was located, then click the Time Machine icon from the menu bar and choose Enter Time Machine. 

• Use the timeline on the right or the arrows to browse through previous backups.
• Select the file you need to recover and click Restore.

Method 04: Check Cloud Backup Services

If you use iCloud or other cloud backup services like Dropbox or Google Drive to sync your device, your lost file may be recoverable from there. To restore lost files:

• Launch Finder and choose iCloud Drive under the sidebar. 
• Use the search function to find your missing file.
• Open any web browser, visit iCloud.com and log in to your iCloud account. 
• Now, go through the Files or Recently Deleted section and choose the file you need to recover.
• Download the required files back to your Mac.

Many cloud services also retain deleted files for a limited time, giving you a chance to restore them before they’re permanently removed.

Method 05: Try Free Mac Data Recovery Software

If all the above methods fail, try using a professional Mac data recovery software to get your lost files back. Free Mac data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac offers a user-friendly interface and advanced scanning algorithm to recover lost files in a few simple clicks. This all-in-one data recovery software supports the recovery of files lost due to multiple reasons, including accidental deletion, formatting, system errors, etc. 

The Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac tool is known for several amazing features, including:

• The free version of the software allows you to recover up to 1 GB of files for free. To restore files of larger size, you can select their paid versions.
• Recover deleted files of multiple types, including photos, videos, documents, and more.
• Offers ‘Pause and Resume’ scan and allows restoring files while the scan is in progress. 
• Supports Mac devices running on macOS Sierra 10.12 up till the macOS Sequoia 15 Edition.

Here’s how to recover lost files on macOS using the Stellar Data Recovery Free software:

Step 1: Visit the Stellar website and install the Stellar Data Recovery Free software on your Mac. Launch the software and from the homepage, select the type of file you need to restore and click Next.

Step 2: Select the drive where your deleted file was earlier stored and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.

Step 3: Once the scan process is completed, preview the recoverable files and choose the ones you wish to restore. Click the Recover button to save the selected file at the desired location. 

What if All Recovery Methods Fail?

If you don’t have adequate backup of your lost file or the above methods for data recovery on Mac gets failed, professional data recovery services can be a life saviour. Companies like DriveSavers and Ontrack offer specialized services in recovering data from damaged drives. For this:

• Avoid using the drive: Stop saving new data on the affected drive to prevent overwriting data.
• Contact a Service Provider: Explain the situation to the external team and follow as instructed.
• Ship Your Drive: In a few cases, you might have to send your drive to the service centre.

While professional services can be expensive, they are highly effective in critical situations.

Conclusion

When you find any important data lost on your macOS device, go with the aforementioned methods for easy and quick data recovery. Whether you are recovering files from the Trash or using professional Mac data recovery software, it is important to carefully go with the steps outlined in this guide. Moreover, you can adopt preventive measures like maintaining regular backups and using cloud services to avoid such data loss issues in the future. File loss can be stressful, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can regain access to your valuable information.