External hard drives are essential for storing large files and backups. However, data loss can occur due to accidental deletion, formatting, corruption, or hardware failure. Fortunately, Mac offers several ways to recover lost files, even from external drives. This article will walk you through the most effective methods to recover data from an external hard drive on a Mac using built-in tools, recovery software, and manual techniques.
Common Causes of Data Loss on External Drives
- Accidental Deletion: Files are mistakenly deleted while organizing or transferring data.
- Formatting Errors: Drives are formatted unintentionally or to fix issues, resulting in data loss.
- File System Corruption: Unexpected shutdowns, malware, or software conflicts may corrupt the file system.
- Hardware Failure: The external drive might develop faults that prevent access to stored data.
- Disconnection During Transfers: Removing the drive without ejecting it can lead to incomplete transfers and file corruption.
Step 1: Check for Basic Issues
Before starting any recovery process, ensure that your Mac recognizes the external drive.
- Reconnect the drive: Try a different USB port or cable.
- Check Disk Utility: Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility to see if the drive appears. If it’s greyed out, click Mount to make it accessible.
- Restart your Mac: A restart may fix temporary connection issues.
Step 2: Recover Deleted Files on Mac from Trash
If you recently deleted files from the external drive, they might be in the Trash.
- Open the Trash from the Dock.
- Search for the deleted file.
- Right-click the file and select Put Back to restore it to its original location.
If the file isn’t in the Trash, you may need advanced mac file recovery techniques.
Step 3: Use Time Machine Backup
If you use Time Machine to back up your Mac, you might be able to recover lost files from a backup.
- Connect your Time Machine drive to your Mac.
- Go to System Settings > Time Machine and open the Time Machine interface.
- Navigate through the timeline and locate the missing files.
- Click Restore to recover the selected files.
This option works well for previously backed-up data but won’t help if you didn’t back up the lost files.
Step 4: Use macOS Data Recovery Software
For files that were permanently deleted or lost due to corruption, data recovery software is your best bet. Several reliable tools are available for Mac SSD data recovery and external drive recovery.
Recommended Mac Data Recovery Tools
- Stellar Data Recovery:
- Works with external hard drives, SSDs, and even encrypted volumes.
- Allows file previews before recovery.
- Disk Drill:
- Offers a free version with limited recovery capabilities.
- Supports recovery from formatted or corrupt drives.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard:
- Simple interface and effective recovery for SSDs and external drives.
- Ideal for both novice and advanced users.
Steps for Data Recovery Using Software:
- Download and install a recovery tool on your Mac.
- Connect the external hard drive.
- Launch the software and select the drive for scanning.
- Use the preview feature to identify files to recover.
- Select and restore the required files.
These tools are particularly useful when files are lost due to formatting or if the drive isn’t recognized by macOS.
Step 5: Recover Trash on Mac with Software
If the files were emptied from the Trash, recovering Trash on Mac with dedicated software is possible. Data recovery tools like Stellar or Disk Drill can scan for remnants of deleted files, even after they’ve been removed from the Trash.
- Launch the recovery software.
- Choose the Mac hard drive or external drive to scan for deleted files.
- After scanning, browse the results and restore files emptied from the Trash.
This method ensures that even files you thought were lost forever can be recovered.
Step 6: Use Disk Utility for Repair
If the external drive is corrupted, macOS Disk Utility can help fix errors.
- Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
- Select the external drive from the sidebar.
- Click First Aid and then Run to scan for and repair disk errors.
Disk Utility can fix minor issues that prevent access to files, but it won’t recover deleted files. If the disk remains unresponsive, use recovery software to extract data.
Step 7: Use Terminal for Mac File Recovery
For tech-savvy users, macOS Terminal can be used to attempt Mac file recovery from external drives. However, this approach requires careful handling to avoid further damage to the data.
- Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
- Type the command:
sudo fsck_hfs -fy /dev/disk2s1 - Replace
/dev/disk2s1with your drive’s identifier (found in Disk Utility). - Press Enter and follow the prompts.
This method repairs the file system on the drive but won’t help with deleted file recovery.
Step 8: Recover Files from SSDs
SSDs differ from traditional hard drives because they use flash memory, and data recovery from them can be trickier due to how data is stored and deleted. When performing Mac SSD data recovery, consider the following:
- Act Quickly: SSDs overwrite deleted data faster than hard drives, so the sooner you attempt recovery, the better.
- Use Advanced Recovery Tools: Stellar Data Recovery or Disk Drill offer features specifically for SSD recovery.
- Disable TRIM: If TRIM is enabled, it may complicate recovery efforts, as it marks deleted data for immediate overwriting.
Step 9: Prevent Future Data Loss
While data recovery tools are helpful, prevention is always better. Here are a few tips to avoid future data loss on your Mac:
- Regular Backups: Use Time Machine or third-party tools to back up important files.
- Safely Eject Drives: Always eject external drives before disconnecting them.
- Update macOS: Keep your system updated to reduce the risk of file corruption.
- Monitor Drive Health: Use apps like DriveDx to monitor the health of your external drives.
Conclusion
Recovering lost files from an external hard drive on a Mac can be straightforward if you know the right steps. Whether you’re dealing with accidental deletion, corrupted files, or formatted drives, this guide offers multiple methods to restore your data. From using Mac data recovery software to recovering deleted files on Mac and even performing Mac SSD data recovery, the solutions are varied and effective.
Act promptly and choose the recovery method that best suits your situation. With a combination of built-in tools, third-party software, and best practices, you can recover lost data and prevent future data loss.
