How to use PhotoRec on a Mac?

Data Recovery
1

I accidentally deleted important files on my Mac and need to recover them. I’ve heard that PhotoRec might be a good option for this. Could anyone guide me on how to use PhotoRec on macOS? Detailed steps or any additional tips would be highly appreciated.

4

If you’ve accidentally deleted important files on your Mac and are looking to use PhotoRec to recover them, you’re on the right track. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to use PhotoRec on macOS. Please note that PhotoRec is a command-line tool, so if you’re not comfortable with the Terminal, you might want to consider using a more user-friendly option like Disk Drill, which you can check out at disk-drill.com">Disk Drill.

Disk Drill Screenshot
Disk Drill Soft1536×902 96.9 KB

Step-by-Step Guide to Using PhotoRec on macOS

Step 1: Download and Install PhotoRec

  1. Download PhotoRec: Head over to the official download page for TestDisk and PhotoRec and download the latest version for macOS.
  2. Extract the Files: The downloaded file will be in a compressed format (usually a .tar.bz2 file). You’ll need to extract it. Double-click the file to unzip it. The extracted folder will contain the PhotoRec application.
    tar xjf testdisk-7.2-WIP.mac_intel.tar.bz2

Step 2: Prepare to Use PhotoRec

  1. Open Terminal: You can find Terminal in Applications > Utilities.
  2. Navigate to PhotoRec Directory: Use the cd command to change the Terminal’s current directory to where you extracted PhotoRec. For example:
    cd /path/to/extracted/folder

Step 3: Running PhotoRec

  1. Start PhotoRec: Type the following command to initiate PhotoRec:
    sudo ./photorec
    You may be prompted to enter your macOS password because sudo grants administrative permissions.

Step 4: Select the Disk

  1. Choose the Disk: You’ll be shown a list of available disks. Use the arrow keys to navigate and press Enter to select the disk where your files were deleted.
  2. Select Partition Type: PhotoRec will usually automatically detect the correct partition type, but make sure it’s set to Intel.

Step 5: Choose the Partition

  1. Select the Partition: Again, use the arrow keys to select the correct partition. If you’re not sure, it’s often safe to select the partition with the most space used.

Step 6: File System Type

  1. File System Type: Choose Other when prompted for the file system type. Most macOS drives use HFS+, APFS, or similar.

Step 7: Choose a Directory for Recovered Files

  1. Destination Directory: Select a directory where you want the recovered files to be saved. To avoid overwriting deleted files, do not save the recovered files on the same disk you’re recovering from. Use an external drive if possible.

Step 8: Start the Recovery Process

  1. Begin Recovery: Press C to start the file recovery process. PhotoRec will begin scanning the disk and recovering any files it can find. This process may take some time depending on the size of the disk and the number of files.

Alternative: Disk Drill

If you find PhotoRec a bit too technical or cumbersome, you might want to give Disk Drill a try.

It’s a more user-friendly data recovery tool for macOS that comes with a graphical interface, making the process a lot easier. Disk Drill can recover deleted files from different storage devices, and you can get more info at their website: Disk Drill.

Wrapping Up: Review Recovered Files

  1. Review Recovered Files: Once the recovery process is complete, navigate to the directory you selected earlier to save the recovered files. Sort through the files to see if your lost data has been successfully recovered.

Remember, always back up important files regularly to avoid such situations in the future. Good luck with your file recovery!

3

PhotoRec can be a solid choice for file recovery on a Mac, but it’s not the only option out there. If you’re going to give it a shot, here’s how you can use it effectively:

  1. Download PhotoRec: First, you need to download and install PhotoRec. It usually comes bundled with TestDisk. Grab it from Digital Picture and File Recovery

  2. Extract the Archive: After downloading the zip file, find it in your downloads folder and use Archive Utility to unzip it.

  3. Open Terminal: PhotoRec is terminal-based so you’ll have to use Terminal. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

  4. Navigate to the PhotoRec Directory: Use the cd command to navigate to the directory where you extracted PhotoRec.

    cd /path/to/extracted/photorec_directory

  5. Run PhotoRec: Type sudo ./photorec and hit enter. You might be asked to enter your password because it requires admin privileges.

  6. Select the Disk: You’ll see a list of drives. Use arrow keys to select the disk you want to recover files from and press Enter.

  7. Partition Table Type: Select the appropriate partition table type. For most Mac users, it’s usually Intel.

  8. Choose Partition: Select the partition from which you want to recover files and hit Enter. Then, choose ‘File Opt’ to specify the types of files you want to recover.

  9. Choose a Destination: Select a directory where you want the recovered files to be saved. Ensure this directory is not on the same drive you’re recovering from to avoid overwriting.

  10. Start Recovery: Once you’ve set everything up, proceed to start the recovery process.

Now, considering PhotoRec’s somewhat clunky interface, you might run into some hiccups if you’re not comfortable using Terminal. As an alternative, I’d recommend you check out Disk Drill. It offers a much more intuitive, user-friendly graphical interface, and handles data recovery really well on macOS.

Personally, when I had to recover some important photos last year, Disk Drill saved the day. The recovery process was straightforward, with options clearly laid out, and I managed to get back almost everything I thought I’d lost.

If you’re dealing with very crucial data and you’re not confident tweaking around in Terminal, Disk Drill might be worth considering.

2

PhotoRec on a Mac? You might as well don cowboy boots to go jogging. It’s clunky, outdated, and the user interface is straight out of the Stone Age. Yeah, it might recover your files, but wading through its terminal-based commands will have you pulling your hair out.

First off, you gotta download it as part of the TestDisk package, which isn’t intuitive in the least. You launch Terminal – yep, command-line only – and navigate to the PhotoRec directory.

cd path_to_the_photorec_directory
sudo ./photorec

Then comes the task of choosing your hard drive and the partition where your files were deleted. It’ll list a million and one file formats you can recover, like anyone has time to scroll through that mess. Hit “search” and then pick a location to save the recovered files – which won’t be where you originally had them. Oh, and be ready to sift through random files PhotoRec recovers, ‘cause it just vomits everything into your chosen folder. Good luck with that.

Here’s the kicker: there’s Disk Drill. It has a user-friendly interface, works smoothly on macOS, and isn’t as likely to give you a headache. It can scan and preview files before you recover, which is a massive time saver. Downside? It’s not free if you need advanced recovery, but neither is your sanity. Unlike PhotoRec, Disk Drill supports a ton of file formats, handles deep scans well, and helps organize your files post-recovery.

So, get distracted with PhotoRec if you’re feeling particularly masochistic—or just save your time and invest in Disk Drill. It’s heads and tails above PhotoRec and actually gets the job done without making you feel like you’re in a 90s hacking movie.