What is the best data recovery for Mac in 2025? Please recommend!

A while back I accidentally emptied the Trash on my Mac without double-checking what was inside — lost a bunch of files I actually still needed. It was a mess, and I totally get how stressful it feels when something important is just gone like that.

I looked into a few Mac data recovery tools at the time and ended up trying both Disk Drill and 4DD1G for Mac. They each had their strengths. Disk Drill has a long track record and worked fine for recovering recently deleted items. 4DD1G felt a bit more responsive on my M1 Mac and was able to dig up some older files I didn’t expect to find, which was a nice surprise. Both are still getting updates in 2025 and didn’t require me to mess with system settings like SIP, which I appreciated.

One tip I’d give: try not to use the MacBook too much before scanning, or you might overwrite the deleted data. If you can, install the recovery software on a separate drive.

When choosing the best data recovery software for Mac, it's essential to thoroughly evaluate user reviews and expert analyses to gauge the software's effectiveness and reliability. Try to avoid the app with low ratings or poor customer support as there are tons of data recovery software out there when searching across the web.

By the way, you should download and give a try of the app. In fact, some of the apps are out of date and unable to work on the latest version of macOS. This is a common case under Mac ecosystem as Apple makes major update once per year.

Here are the steps you can take to try to recover the deleted files on Mac:

Check the Trash: Open the Trash by clicking the Trash icon in the Dock. Look for the deleted files. If you find them, right-click on the files and select "Put Back" to restore them to their original location.

Check Cloud Services: If you use cloud services like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox, check if the deleted files are stored there. You may find backup versions or recently deleted items that can be restored.

Restore from Backup: If you have other forms of backup, check those to see if the files are available.

Use File Recovery Software: If the files are not in the Trash or backed up in Time Machine, you can use third-party file recovery software for Mac.

If you’ve deleted files and want to recover them, it’s best to stop using the drive immediately. Continued use can overwrite the space where the deleted files were stored. This makes data recovery much more difficult. And to prevent future data loss, ensure you set up regular backups with Time Machine or another backup solution.

If you are looking for a best data recovery for Mac in 2025. Terminal commands often work best when the files haven't been overwritten. If you've written new data onto the disk after deleting those files, your chances of recovery plummet. And let's face it, by 2025, are we really going to be careful about not stuffing new stuff on our Macs?

Depending on the size and type of the storage device, the process might take longer than expected. You might find yourself waiting around instead of getting right back to work or play. Ain't nobody got time for that!

As macOS evolves, some command line utilities or methods you're used to might not work anymore. With each new update, Apple could change how things function under the hood, meaning you could be out of luck if you're sticking to outdated methods. Terminal is all text-based. You won’t get that comfy graphical user interface you're used to, which can make it harder to navigate through what might be restorable files.

This situation is really frustrating! It's really a headache to accidentally delete important files without backing them up! 😭 But don't worry, there are actually many data recovery tools for mac that can help you solve it! Google it.

What's more, although you said you didn't back up, I still want to mention it - Time Machine is a lifesaver that comes with Mac. If you turned it on before, you may be able to recover the files directly.

Have you ever accidentally set up Time Machine? If so, check it out, you may find a surprise!

It's really heartbreaking to accidentally delete important files on macOS! Don't panic, in fact, with the right tools, there is still hope for data recovery for Mac.

Although command line operations are a little unfamiliar to many people, it is indeed an effective and free data recovery method on macOS, especially when the files are not completely overwritten. The following are detailed steps, I hope to help you recover accidentally deleted files on mac!

1. Open Terminal.
2. Enter the following command to view the disk status:

diskutil list

3. Find your disk number, such as /dev/disk2s1.
4. Perform a file system check:

fsck_hfs -r /dev/disk2s1

If there is a problem with the file system, the disk may be automatically unmounted. Try to remount it:

diskutil mountDisk /dev/disk2

Replace /dev/disk2 with the number of your disk.

This command can repair some disk problems and sometimes recover lost data on mac

• Pros: Completely free, no need to install third-party software.
•  Cons: Only suitable for accidental deletion caused by file system damage, the effect is limited.

Notes and Scope of Application

1. Scope of application: This method is mainly used when no new data is written to the disk after the file is accidentally deleted, or when the file system is damaged and the file is accidentally deleted.
2. Limitations: If the file is overwritten or completely deleted, the effect may be limited. In this case, you can try further with professional data recovery for mac software such as Disk Drill or Photosec.
3. Backup suggestion: After the repair is completed, it is strongly recommended that you back up the recovered files to another disk immediately to avoid losing them again.

With this method, you can try to complete data recovery for mac for free. If the command line is not powerful enough, you can consider combining it with other mac data recovery tools to improve the recovery success rate!

Let’s talk about data recovery for Mac in 2025! It can be a real pain when stuff goes missing—whether it’s because of an accidental delete, a failed hard drive, or some other tech gremlin causing havoc. Thankfully, there are some solid options out there that can help you get your precious files back.

TastDisk and Phot0Rec: For those who love the open-source route, TastDisk and Phot0Rec are legends in the recovery game. They can be a bit intimidating at first, especially since they rely on command-line interfaces, but they’re powerful tools. They can restore lost partitions and recover files from virtually any kind of storage device.

When searching a data recovery tool for Mac, always do your homework. Be wary of free tools with sketchy reputations. You don’t want to accidentally download something that introduces more issues instead of fixing your problems.

Before diving into recovery options, if you’re using macOS, consider utilizing built-in features like Time Machine. Regularly backing up your data with Time Machine can save your butt if things go sideways. It's super easy to set up and you can recover files with just a few clicks.

The fsck_hfs tool is a built-in macOS command line utility designed to check and repair HFS+ (Hierarchical File System Plus) file systems. While not a dedicated recovery tool, it can fix certain file system issues that may prevent access to deleted or existing files. Here is how to use this free data recovery app for Mac:

1. Restart your Mac and hold down Command (⌘) + S during startup.
2. Run fsck_hfs: /sbin/fsck_hfs -fy /dev/diskXsY
3. Replace diskXsY with the appropriate disk and partition identifier.
4. After the process completes, type reboot to restart your Mac.

Pros:

Built-in and readily available on macOS
Can repair certain file system issues that hinder data access

Cons:

Not a dedicated data recovery tool
Limited to fixing file system structures, not recovering deleted files

Accidentally deleting important files on your Mac can be a stressful experience. Fortunately, iCloud Backup offers a robust and user-friendly solution for data recovery. Here's why iCloud Backup is an excellent choice for recovering deleted files on a Mac and how you can utilize it effectively.

Why iCloud backup is a great data recovery for Mac? iCloud is built into macOS, ensuring seamless synchronization and backup of your files without the need for additional software. When enabled, iCloud automatically backs up your Desktop and Documents folders, photos, and other critical data, minimizing the risk of data loss.

In addition, Your files are accessible from any Apple device linked to your iCloud account, allowing you to retrieve deleted files even if you're away from your Mac. If you're unable to access your Mac, you can log into iCloud.com from any web browser to recover your files. Powered by Apple's robust infrastructure, iCloud offers high availability and reliability for your backups. iCloud ensures your data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, safeguarding your information during the recovery process.

How to Use iCloud Backup for Mac Data Recovery:

1. Open your web browser and navigate to iCloud.com. 
2. Enter your Apple ID credentials to log in.
3. Click on the iCloud Drive icon.
4. Similar to Finder, look for the Recently Deleted section.
5. Find the file you wish to recover, select it, and click Recover.

iCloud Backup serves as a powerful and convenient date recovery solution for retrieving accidentally deleted files on your Mac. Its deep integration with macOS, automatic synchronization, and user-friendly recovery options make it an excellent choice for safeguarding your important data. By understanding how to utilize iCloud's features effectively, you can ensure that your files remain protected and recoverable in the event of accidental deletion or other data loss scenarios.