Recover Data from Your Mac External Hard Drive with These Simple Steps

Have you accidentally deleted important files from your external hard drive on your Mac? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. With the increased use of external storage devices, it’s common to encounter data loss due to human error or technical issues. Fortunately, there are ways to recover data from an external hard drive on your Mac. In this chapter, we will guide you through the first step of the recovery process – checking the Trash Bin for accidentally deleted files on Mac. So, let’s get started and retrieve those lost files!

Step 1: Check the Trash Bin for Accidentally Deleted Files on Mac

If you have accidentally deleted files from your external hard drive on Mac, the first place to check for their recovery is the Trash Bin. In a Mac system, when you delete files from an external hard drive, these files are moved to a folder named .Trash on the external hard drive, which is the trash bin of the external hard drive. These files are not moved to the trash bin of the Mac system. Therefore, if you want to completely delete these files, you need to empty the trash while the external hard drive is connected.

To check the Trash Bin for deleted files on Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Trash Bin on your Mac by clicking on the Trash icon in the Dock or by searching for “Trash” in Spotlight.

Step 2: Once the Trash Bin is open, look for the files you want to recover. You can use the search bar at the top-right corner of the window to search for specific files.

Step 3: If you find the deleted files, select them by clicking on them while holding down the Command key.

Step 4: Once the files are selected, secondary-click (or right-click) on them and choose “Put Back” from the drop-down menu. This will restore the files to their original location on the external hard drive.

Step 5: Alternatively, you can drag the selected files from the Trash Bin and drop them onto the external hard drive to restore them.

Note: This method will only work if the Trash Bin has not been emptied while the external hard drive was still connected to your Mac. If you have already emptied the Trash Bin, move on to the next step to try and recover your deleted files from the external hard drive on Mac.

In case the deleted files are still not restored after following these steps, it is possible that they have been automatically removed from the Trash Bin. By default, the Trash Bin on Mac automatically deletes files after 30 days. To ensure successful recovery of deleted files from an external hard drive on Mac, it is important to check the Trash Bin as soon as possible after deletion.

Checking the Trash Bin for accidentally deleted files is the easiest and most common method for recovering data from an external hard drive on Mac. However, it is not always guaranteed to work if the Trash Bin has been emptied or if the deleted files have been automatically removed. In such cases, using Time Machine for data restoration is the next best option.

Step 2: Utilize Time Machine for Easy Restoration of Lost Data

If you have accidentally deleted or lost important files from your external hard drive on Mac, don’t worry. Time Machine, a built-in backup feature on Mac, can help you easily restore lost data. Follow these steps to utilize Time Machine for data recovery.

Step 1: Open the Finder and navigate to the folder where the photos were stored.

Step 2: Click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select “Enter Time Machine“.

Step 3: Use the timeline on the right side to go back to a date when the photos were still available.

Step 4: Select the photos you want to restore and click on the “Restore” button.

With these simple steps, you can easily recover your lost files from an external hard drive on Mac.

Once you have successfully restored your lost files using Time Machine, it is important to take preventative measures to avoid data loss in the future.

Step 3: Leverage Renee Undeleter for Comprehensive Data Recovery

Renee Undeleter is a powerful data recovery software specifically designed for Mac users. It can help you recover deleted or lost files from external hard drives, as well as other storage devices such as USB drives, memory cards, and more. With its user-friendly interface and advanced scanning technology, Renee Undeleter makes data recovery a breeze.

Step 1: Download, install and run Renee Undeleter on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Select the [Fast Partition Scan] option in the main interface.

Please avoid installing the software on the disk containing the data to be recovered in order to prevent data overwriting. Also, refrain from saving new data to the same disk partition after a file is lost to avoid further damage or complete loss of the lost file.

Step 3: Next, select the partition where the lost data is located, and click [Next].

Step 4: Select the [Fast Scan] option and click the [Next] button to scan.

The [Fast Scan] mode scans the initial 30GB of available space on the chosen disk. If desired files are not found, the [Deep Scan] mode can be used for a thorough scan of the hard disk partition, though it will require additional time.

Step 4: Wait for the scan to complete

you can double-click the file to preview, then check the files that need to be recovered, and click the [Recover] button to recover the files to other disks.

Note: If your external hard drive is physically damaged or cannot be recognized by your computer, Renee Undeleter may not be able to fully recover your data. In such cases, you may need to seek professional data recovery services.

In summary, Renee Undeleter is a reliable and easy-to-use data recovery software for Mac users. It can help you recover deleted or lost data from external hard drives and other storage devices. However, it may not be able to recover data from physically damaged drives, so it is important to regularly back up important files and consider professional data recovery services for complex situations.

Step 4: Use Disk Utility's First Aid to Repair External Hard Drives

Disk Utility’s First Aid is a built-in solution on Mac that can help repair simple corruption problems on external hard drives. This can be a useful first step in recovering data from a faulty external hard drive.

To use Disk Utility’s First Aid, follow these steps:

Step 1:Open Disk Utility by going to “Applications” > “Utilities” > “Disk Utility.“

Step 2:Connect your external hard drive to your Mac.

Step 3:In Disk Utility, select your external hard drive from the list of connected drives.

Step 4:Click on the “First Aid” button in the toolbar.

Step 5:Click on “Run” to start the repair process.

Disk Utility will then check and repair any errors on your external hard drive. If the repair is successful, your external hard drive should now be accessible and any lost data may be recovered.

It is important to note that Disk Utility’s First Aid may not be able to fix all types of external hard drive issues. If your external hard drive is still faulty, you may need to try using the FSCK command in Terminal.

FSCK, or File System Consistency Check, is a command that can help repair any inconsistencies in the file system of your external hard drive. To use it, follow these steps:

Step 1:Open Terminal by going to “Applications” > “Utilities” > “Terminal.“

Step 2:Boot your Mac into Single User Mode by restarting your Mac and pressing and holding the Command + S keys before the Apple logo appears.

Step 3:Type the commanddiskutil listand press Return to see all the connected hard drives.

Step 4:Find your corrupted external hard drive in the list and note its drive identifier (for example,/dev/disk2).

Step 5:Restart your Mac by typing the commandrebootand pressing Return.

Step 6:Before the Apple logo appears, press and hold the Command + S keys to boot your Mac into Single User Mode again.

Step 7:Type the command/sbin/fsck_hfs -fy /dev/[drive identifier], replacing the [drive identifier] with the one you noted in Step 3 and changinghfsto the actual file system of your external hard drive.

Step 8:Once the command finishes repairing your external hard drive, restart your Mac by typingrebootand pressing Return.

If both Disk Utility’s First Aid and the FSCK command are unable to repair your external hard drive or recover your data, you may need to consider using third-party data recovery software or consult a professional data recovery service.

Note: If your external hard drive has suffered physical damage, it is safer not to attempt any repairs yourself. In this case, it is best to find a reliable, professional external hard drive repair shop nearby and send it to them as soon as possible to avoid permanently losing your data.

Summary: Using Disk Utility’s First Aid or the FSCK command in Terminal can help repair simple corruption problems on external hard drives and potentially recover lost data. However, these methods may not work for all types of external hard drive issues, and if your external hard drive has suffered physical damage, it is best to seek professional help.

Next, we will discuss using Renee Undeleter, a comprehensive data recovery software, in “Step 4: Leverage Renee Undeleter for Comprehensive Data Recovery.”

Step 5: Professional Data Recovery Services for Complex Situations

While some data loss situations can be easily resolved using data recovery software, there are more complex cases where professional help is needed. This is where data recovery services come into play. In this chapter, we will discuss the importance of professional data recovery services and how they can help you recover lost data from your external hard drive on Mac.

Understanding the Scope of Work for In-Store Data Recovery Services

Before seeking out professional data recovery services, it is important to understand what kind of data loss situations they can handle. In-store data recovery services typically focus on recovering deleted photos, music, and files from a working drive, or data that was lost due to reformatting. However, it is important to note that not all data loss situations fall under the scope of in-store data recovery services. More severe cases may require higher levels of data recovery, which may not be possible at an in-store location.

Knowing When to Seek Professional Help for Severe Data Loss Cases

However, if your external hard drive has severe issues such as hard drive corruption with bad sectors, physical damage, or unusual noises, it may be time to seek professional help. In these cases, attempting to use data recovery software may not be effective and may even cause further damage to your hard drive.

Choosing Reliable and Secure Data Recovery Services

When selecting a professional data recovery service, it is important to choose one that is reliable and secure. EaseUS, for example, offers a team of experts who can provide one-on-one manual data recovery services if your hard drive has physical damage. It is also essential to check the data recovery cost and reviews to ensure you are choosing a trustworthy and reputable service.

Strategies for Preventing Future Data Loss on External Hard Drives

External hard drive data loss can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but it can be avoided with proper preventive measures. In this chapter, we will discuss various strategies that can help prevent future data loss on external hard drives.

Eject the Hard Drive Correctly

One of the simplest and most important ways to prevent data loss on external hard drives is to always eject the drive correctly. Many people make the mistake of pulling out the hard drive while it is still in use, which can cause data corruption and loss. Always make sure to click on the eject button or use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option on your computer before unplugging the hard drive.

Back Up Important Files Regularly

Another effective way to prevent data loss on external hard drives is to regularly back up your important files. This can be done using a variety of methods such as cloud storage, professional backup and recovery software, or manually copying the files to another storage device. By having a backup of your data, you can easily retrieve it in case of any data loss on the external hard drive.

Protect Against Physical Damage

Physical damage is one of the leading causes of data loss on external hard drives. To prevent this, always handle the hard drive with care and avoid dropping or mishandling it. Additionally, make sure to keep the hard drive in a dry and dust-free environment and use a protective case while transporting it.

Seek Professional Help for Complex Situations

If your external hard drive has suffered physical damage or the data loss is too complex for DIY recovery software, it is best to seek professional help. Data recovery experts have the necessary tools, knowledge, and experience to retrieve data from severely damaged or corrupted hard drives. They also follow proper procedures to avoid further damage to the hard drive while recovering the data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, recovering lost data from an external hard drive on a Mac can be a daunting task, but with the right techniques and tools, it can be easily accomplished. By checking the Trash for accidentally deleted files, utilizing Time Machine for easy restoration, using Disk Utility’s First Aid to repair drives, and leveraging professional data recovery software such as Renee Undeleter, you can retrieve your valuable data without hassle. However, prevention is always better than cure, so it is important to implement strategies such as regular backups and proper handling of external hard drives to prevent future data loss. With these tips and tricks, you can safeguard your data and have peace of mind knowing that even if something happens to your external hard drive, your important files are still recoverable. Remember to always be prepared and stay vigilant when it comes to protecting your data.