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Wideeaddd's avatar
Wideeaddd
Iron Contributor
Aug 07, 2025

What is the best data recovery software for macos?

10 years old Windows user and switched to Mac recently. I recently lost some important files due to accidental deletion (they're not in the Trash anymore), and I don't have a Time Machine backup. I ...
Linxfbbd's avatar
Linxfbbd
Iron Contributor
Aug 07, 2025

For deleted files stored in iCloud Drive, Photos, Contacts, Notes, or Mail, Apple keeps them in a "Recently Deleted" or "Trash" folder for a limited time before permanent removal. This is a free and helpful data recovery option for mac. Here's how to recover them on your Mac.

  1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in.
  2. Open "iCloud Drive".
  3. Click "Recently Deleted" in the bottom-right corner (or sidebar).
  4. Select the files/folders you want back.
  5. Click "Recover" to restore them to their original location.

Note:

If you emptied the iCloud Trash, recovery is not possible.

Files deleted from a Mac's local folder (not synced to iCloud) won’t appear here.

What If iCloud Recovery Fails?

If files were not synced to iCloud, try Time Machine or data recovery software on mac.

If iCloud’s 30-day window has passed, recovery is unlikely (Apple does not retain backups beyond this period).

How to Prevent Future Data Loss
✅ Enable iCloud Backup for critical files.
✅ Check "Recently Deleted" before emptying Trash.
✅ Use Time Machine for local backups.

 

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