This article will show you how to find and recover deleted files on a Mac computer. First, look for deleted files in the Trash. Then try to restore them from a Time Machine backup or use a third-party data recovery program.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Recycle Bin
Step 1. Open the Trash
To do this, double-click on the trash can icon in the dock. The Recycle Bin window will open.
Step 2. Search for deleted files
Scroll through the contents of the Trash to find files, or enter the file name in the search bar located in the upper right corner of the window.
If you cannot find the deleted files, use the method described in the next section
Step 3. Highlight deleted files
Hold down the left mouse button and drag the pointer over a group of files to select multiple files at once, or hold down ⌘ Command and click on each file to select them one at a time.
To select all files in the Trash, click on the file and then press ⌘ Command + A
Step 4. Click on File
This menu is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A dropdown menu will open.
Step 5. Click Check In
It's in the File drop-down menu. The files will be restored to their original folder.
If the Check In option is grayed out, drag the selected files from the Trash window to your desktop
Method 2 of 3: Using Time Machine
Step 1. Open Spotlight
Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner of the screen. The search bar will open.
Step 2. Enter time machine
The search process for Time Machine starts.
Step 3. Click on Time Machine
The icon for this program looks like a clock on a green background and appears at the top of Spotlight search results. The Time Machine window opens.
Step 4. Select a folder with files
Click on the file folder on the left side of the Time Machine window to open it.
Step 5. Use a backup that was created at a time before you deleted the files
Click the upward arrow on the right side of the Time Machine window to scroll through the list of backups to find the backup with the files you want.
If you cannot find a backup with the files you need, you cannot use the described method
Step 6. Select deleted files
Hold down the left mouse button and drag the pointer over a group of files to select multiple files at once, or hold down ⌘ Command and click on each file to select them one at a time.
Step 7. Click on Restore
It's a gray button at the bottom of the Time Machine window. The selected files will be restored.
You may need to repeat the described process to recover files in different folders
Method 3 of 3: Using data recovery software
Step 1. Stop using your computer
When working with data recovery software, it is important to stop using your computer's hard drive immediately. Do not download programs, and do not create folders and backups, because this will overwrite the space on the hard disk where the deleted files were stored.
Step 2. Download data recovery software
Most of these programs are paid. Download the program on another computer or on an external drive so as not to accidentally overwrite deleted files. Popular data recovery software are:
- PhotoRec (free);
- Disc Drill (paid);
- Data Rescue (paid);
- EaseUS (paid).
Step 3. Install the USB data recovery software
This will reduce the risk of files being overwritten on your computer.
If you cannot install the data recovery software on the USB drive, just copy the software installation file from the USB drive to your computer
Step 4. Scan your hard drive
Starting the scanning process depends on the selected program, but in most cases, you need to select the local drive from which the files were deleted, and then click "Scan".
The program may have additional options that you need to select in order to run a disk scan
Step 5. Select the files you need to recover
When scanning is complete, a list of files that can be recovered will be displayed on the screen. Highlight the files you want.
- File names are often destroyed, so go through each file to find the ones you want.
- Not all files can be recovered.
Step 6. Recover files
When you select the files, the program will offer to save them in a specific folder. If you are going to find and recover additional files, do not save the found files to the local drive from which they were deleted. Save the files to an external drive or another local drive.