How to use PhotoRec on a Mac?

Data Recovery
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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.

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