I accidentally deleted some important files from my Mac and realized that Recuva, a tool I’ve used on Windows, isn’t available for macOS. Is there an equivalent or alternative software for recovering deleted files on a Mac? I need to restore them quickly.
Recuva isn’t available for macOS, but don’t worry, there are some solid alternatives out there for file recovery. I’ve tried a few myself and can point you towards some of the better options.
First up, Disk Drill. It’s probably the closest thing to Recuva you’ll find for Mac. It’s super user-friendly and effective for recovering deleted files. I had to use it once when I accidentally wiped out an entire folder of documents, and it managed to retrieve most of them for me. You can download Disk Drill from the CleverFiles website here: Download Disk Drill. It’s pretty straightforward, and they even offer a free trial, which is nice if you just need it for a one-time recovery mission.
Another good alternative is PhotoRec. While the name suggests it’s just for photos, this open-source software handles a wide range of file types. It’s not as user-friendly as Disk Drill and lacks a graphical interface, so it might be intimidating if you’re not comfortable with command-line tools.
If you’re looking for something built into macOS, you could also try using Time Machine if you have it set up. It’s great for recovering files from backups. But, of course, this only helps if you’ve been regularly backing up your system.
Lastly, consider EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. It’s another paid software but comes with a free trial, just like Disk Drill. It’s pretty powerful and can recover files from various scenarios, from accidental deletion to disk formatting.
In short, if you want something easy and effective, go with Disk Drill. If you want a free option and don’t mind the learning curve, try PhotoRec. And always remember to set up Time Machine to avoid these situations in the future if you haven’t already.
Unfortunately, Recuva doesn’t have a version for macOS, but there are several alternatives out there to help you recover deleted files on your Mac. One of the most popular and effective tools you can use is Disk Drill. You might find it particularly useful because it combines ease of use with powerful recovery features. Here’s a quick guide to what you can do:
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Download and Install Disk Drill:
Go to Disk Drill’s official website, download the macOS version, and install it on your Mac. -
Launch Disk Drill:
Once installed, open the application. You’ll need to grant it permissions to access your storage to perform the recovery. -
Select the Disk:
The main window will show all available disks and partitions. Select the one where your deleted files were previously stored. -
Scan the Disk:
Click on the “Recover” button next to your disk. Disk Drill will give you a couple of scan options, including Quick Scan and Deep Scan. Quick Scan is faster but might not retrieve all files. Deep Scan takes longer but is more thorough. -
Preview and Recover:
After the scan completes, Disk Drill will list all the recoverable files. Use the preview function to confirm it’s the data you want to recover. Select the files you need and click on the “Recover” button again. It’s generally a good idea to save the recovered files to a different disk than the one you recovered them from to avoid overwriting any other deleted files.
Here are some more alternatives if Disk Drill doesn’t do the trick for you:
1. Data Rescue 5:
This is another reputable data recovery software for Mac. It offers thorough scanning options and a straightforward interface.
2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard:
Known for its easy-to-use interface and robust recovery capabilities, it’s another good alternative. It supports recovery from internal/external hard drives, USB drives, and more.
3. Stellar Data Recovery for Mac:
This has a reputation for recovering various file types, including documents, photos, and videos, from different storage media.
When choosing recovery software, keep in mind a couple of things:
File System Support:
Make sure the software supports the file system of your device. Macs typically use HFS+, and more recently, APFS.
Recovery Methods:
Good software should offer various recovery methods like Quick Scan, Deep Scan, and maybe photo or video recovery.
User Interface:
Unless you’re comfortable with technical jargon, go for something with a user-friendly interface.
Preview Function:
A preview feature is crucial to confirm you’re recovering the correct file before finalizing the recovery process.
Backup Strategy:
For future prevention of data loss, consider setting up a reliable backup strategy using tools like Time Machine or third-party cloud storage solutions.
Extra Tip:
Once you notice files are missing, avoid using the affected drive as much as possible. This minimizes the chances of overwriting the deleted files, which can make recovery significantly harder.
So, while it’s a bummer that Recuva isn’t available on macOS, Disk Drill and these other options are pretty solid. Just follow these steps, and you should be able to get back most, if not all, of your important files. If you have more questions or run into issues, feel free to ask!
Seriously? There’s no Mac version of Recuva and it’s 2023. How frustrating is that? Anyway, if you’re stuck looking for an alternative, you might want to check out Disk Drill.
Sure, it’s not perfect. Some say Disk Drill can be a bit slow and the free version’s recovery limit is pretty low, which is a scam as far as I’m concerned. But at least it’s something. It supports a range of file systems (which is a plus) and it’s pretty user-friendly—too user-friendly for those who assume that’d mean it’s actually effective.
There’s also Data Rescue, Stellar Data Recovery, and EaseUS, but they’ve got their own issues. Seems like every recovery tool out there has some kind of catch, particularly when you’re on a Mac. Isn’t it just typical?
In conclusion: Disk Drill might be your best shot, but don’t get your hopes too high.