Forum Discussion
What is the best data recovery for Mac in 2025? Please recommend!
There was a time when I accidentally deleted important files on my macbook air, and I was in a panic. But I followed this tutorial: https://www.appleinsidez.com/recover-deleted-files-on-mac
I managed to recover everything — highly recommend giving it a try!
After accidentally deleting files last time, I desperately studied various methods of data recovery for Mac. Finally, I summarized several simple and useful tips to share with you! Some of them don’t even require tools, and can be solved by the system’s own functions.
1. Try the Snapshots function
Many people don’t know that macOS actually automatically generates local snapshots (as long as you use the APFS file system). This is also a hidden data recovery for Mac capability.
Steps:
- Open the Finder.
- Click the disk on the left (such as "Macintosh HD").
- Right-click the disk and select "Show Info" to see if it is an APFS file system.
If it is, you can try to view the snapshots and restore the data through the terminal command tmutil (this is a little more advanced, and you can check the detailed tutorial again).
2. iCloud Cloud Recovery
If your files were originally stored on the desktop or Documents folder, and iCloud synchronization is turned on, you can try to retrieve them from iCloud.
Steps:
- Open a browser and log in to the iCloud website (icloud.com).
- Click "Settings" and find "Advanced > Recover Files" below.
- Select the files you need and click Recover.
- iCloud is another powerful data recovery for Mac tool, especially the synchronization function of documents and desktop files, which saved me several times!
While Time Machine is a powerful and widely used backup solution for Mac users, it may not always be the most suitable option for everyone’s data recovery needs. Here are several reasons why relying solely on Time Machine might not be ideal.
1.Dependence on External Hardware
Time Machine requires an external storage device, such as an external hard drive, Network Attached Storage (NAS), or a Time Capsule, to store backups. This dependence on physical hardware introduces potential points of failure. If the external drive becomes damaged, lost, or disconnected, your backup process can be interrupted, potentially leaving you without recent backups. Additionally, managing and maintaining external hardware can be cumbersome, especially for users who prefer a more hands-off approach.2. Limited Offsite Backup
Time Machine primarily creates local backups. In the event of physical damage to your Mac—such as theft, fire, or natural disasters—both your device and the external backup drive could be compromised simultaneously. Without an offsite backup solution, recovering your data becomes significantly more challenging. Cloud-based backups, like iCloud or other third-party services, offer the advantage of storing your data in geographically dispersed data centers, providing an additional layer of protection against local catastrophes.3. Storage Capacity Limitations
While Time Machine can handle large amounts of data, the capacity is ultimately limited by the size of your external storage device. As your data grows, you may need to invest in larger or additional drives to accommodate ongoing backups. Managing multiple drives can become unwieldy and may incur additional costs. Cloud storage solutions typically offer scalable storage options, allowing you to increase your backup capacity seamlessly as your needs evolve.4. Potential for Data Corruption
If the external backup drive used by Time Machine becomes corrupted, your entire backup history could be compromised. Recovering from a corrupted Time Machine backup can be difficult and may require specialized tools or professional assistance. Cloud-based backups often include built-in redundancies and data integrity checks, minimizing the risk of data corruption and ensuring that your backups remain reliable.IMOP, iCloud is much better data recovery for Mac solution than Time Machine.
