Data loss on any device, including an external hard drive connected to your Mac, can occur due to various reasons, from accidental deletion to hardware failure. Whether you lose your photos, documents, or any other type of file, losing important data can be distressful. Luckily, there are various free Mac data recovery methods available online that you can try to restore your lost data.
This guide provides multiple methods to help you learn how to recover data from an external hard drive on Mac, detailing the processes and tools that you can try to recover your lost data easily.
Understanding the Causes of Data Loss
Before you use any Mac data recovery software or manual method to restore your lost data, it is important to understand the exact causes of data loss. The following are common reasons why data might be lost from an external drive:
- Accidental Deletion: You might have deleted files accidentally when organizing other files or folders or performing other operations on your Mac.
- Formatting Errors: Formatting the drive, either intentionally or by mistake, can lead to the loss of all stored data.
- File System Corruption: Corruption in the file system, caused by improper ejection or power outages, can make data inaccessible.
- Hardware Failure: Physical damage to the external drive, such as from drops or exposure to water, can cause data loss.
- Viruses or Malware: Malicious software like viruses or malware can delete or corrupt files on the external drive.
- Software Errors: Sometimes, system glitches or bugs in macOS can cause the system to lose track of files or render them inaccessible.
Preliminary Steps Before Recovery
Here are some prerequisites that you must consider before you proceed with methods to recover your lost data from an external drive on Mac:
Stop Using the Drive Immediately: When you realize data is missing from your external drive, stop using it right away. Continued use can overwrite the sectors where the lost files are stored, which makes recovery more difficult or even impossible. Once files are overwritten, recovery may become complex and even Mac data recovery software tools are far less effective.
Check for the Basics:
Before moving on to complex recovery methods, check if the data is truly lost:
Reconnect the Drive: Unplug and reinsert the drive into another USB port on your Mac. Sometimes connectivity issues or power problems can cause the drive not to show up properly.
Use Finder Search: In Finder, search for the missing files using keywords or file extensions. Sometimes, files are misplaced in unexpected directories.
If the above quick checks fail to resolve the issue, it’s time to consider recovery methods.
Quick Methods to Recover Lost Data from External Drive on Mac
Go through the methods mentioned in this part of the blog to get your files deleted from the External drive on your Mac back:
Method 01: Use Time Machine Backups
If you use Time Machine to back up your Mac, you can use it to recover data from an external drive. Time Machine automatically backs up external drives connected to your Mac if enabled. To recover your lost data using Time Machine backups, you need to:
- Firstly, connect the external drive containing your Time Machine backups to your Mac. Go to System Settings > Time Machine.
- Now, navigate through the available backups using the timeline on the right.
- Once you find the desired files, click Restore to bring them back to their original location on the external drive.
Method 02: Use Mac Data Recovery Software
Instances may occur when you don’t have any previously created backup of your deleted files. In such cases, you can use a professional Mac data recovery software to restore your lost files. Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac is a versatile free Mac data recovery software which allows you to restore your lost files without any cost. You can use this tool to restore files lost or deleted due to various scenarios, including accidental deletion, formatting, system errors, etc.
- The free version of the software allows you to restore up to 1 GB of files for free. You can use other paid versions to enjoy enhanced features.
- The software allows you to restore your deleted photos, videos, documents, and other types of files in a few simple steps.
- Offers ‘Pause and Resume’ scan option which allows you to restore files while the scan is in progress.
- Compatible with Mac devices powered with the latest M3 and T2 chips.
- Retrieves files from external storage drives, USB drives, SD cards, and other Mac storage devices.
Here’s how to recover data from an External drive on Mac using Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac:
Step 1: Firstly, download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Free software on your Mac. Also, connect your external drive to that Mac. Launch the software and from the homepage, select the type of data you need to restore and click Next.
Step 2: Now, from the Recover From window, choose the storage drive where your file was stored before deletion and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
Step 3: Once the scan is completed, preview the recoverable files and click Recover to save recovered files at the desired location on your Mac.
Method 03: Try Professional Data Recovery Services
If software methods fail, or if the external drive has physical damage, professional data recovery services might be your best option. There are several companies which help in recovering data from severely damaged drives. Most of these professional services offer a free initial assessment. They will examine the drive and let you know if the data is recoverable.
Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss
Recovering lost data using the above-mentioned free Mac data recovery methods can be stressful and time-consuming. To avoid future data loss, consider the following preventive measures:
- Regular Backups: Make regular backups using Time Machine, cloud storage, or another external drive.
- Eject Drives Safely: Always eject external drives properly before unplugging them from your Mac to avoid corruption.
- Use Antivirus Software: Protect your Mac and external drives from viruses and malware.
Wrapping Up
Hope, the aforementioned methods help you understand how to recover data from an external drive on Mac. By following the steps outlined above, including built-in Time Machine backups, third-party Mac data recovery software, or professional services, you can maximize your chances of recovering your lost data. Moreover, taking preventive measures such as regular backups and safe handling of external drives can help protect your data in the future.
