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An Ultimate Guide To Recover Data From External Hard Drive on Mac

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In the bustling world of Mac users, external hard drives are lifelines, storing cherished memories, important documents, and essential backups. However, the dreaded scenario of data loss looms over its users. Whether it’s accidental deletion, hardware failure, or unforeseen mishaps, losing data from external hard drives can be distressing.

But fear not! This article will show you the simple but effective steps to recover data from an external hard drive on a Mac. From recovering deleted files to restoring your external hard drive, this guide has your back every step of the way. Let’s dive in and reclaim your precious data!”


Part I. Retrieve Files From External Hard Drive on Mac Professionally

If you’re facing the daunting task of external hard disk recovery on Mac and seeking a quick solution without needing professional expertise, look no further than Recoverit. This versatile hard drive recovery solution is your ticket to resolving the problem in seconds, even if you lack advanced technical skills.

Recoverit is your reliable partner in retrieving lost data, from formatting mistakes to unintentional deletions to more complicated problems like SD card corruption.


Key Features of Recoverit

Wondershare Recoverit is brimming with features that are intended to simplify the recovery process, including:

        User-friendly interface. With Recoverit, navigating through the data recovery process is a breeze. Its intuitive interface guides you effortlessly through each step, ensuring a stress-free experience for users of all skill levels.

        Compatibility with different file systems and storage devices. No matter the file system or storage device you’re dealing with, Recoverit has you covered. Whether it’s FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, or HFS+, or an external hard drive, SD card, or USB flash drive, Recoverit can seamlessly recover your lost data.

        Advanced scanning algorithms. Recoverit employs state-of-the-art scanning algorithms to ensure a thorough data recovery process. Whether your files were accidentally deleted, lost due to formatting, or inaccessible due to a corrupted drive, Recoverit can effectively retrieve your valuable data with precision and accuracy.


Steps To Use Recoverit for External Hard Drive Recovery

Even beginners may confidently go through the recovery procedure and quickly retrieve their valuable files because of Recoverit’s user-friendly interface and robust capabilities. See below to see how simple it is to use Recoverit:

Step 1: On your Mac device, download and install Recoverit.

Step 2: Before launching Recoverit, connect the external hard drive to your computer. Check first if the platform can recognize or detect it.

Step 3: Select the device as the storage location for deleted or misplaced files after recovery. Next, click the Start button to proceed. Even in cases when a device’s partition has been lost, data can still be recovered using Recoverit.

 

Step 4: A comprehensive scan will start on your external hard drive. It could take several minutes to complete the scanning process. You can locate the necessary files and stop or interrupt the process at any point.

 

Step 5: After the scanning process, preview the recovered data. If you’re using the free version, you can still see the first page of documents or the first ten seconds of videos from the scanning results. To restore the data, click Recover and save it to a safe location.

 

With Recoverit at your disposal, a reliable and efficient solution, you can confidently embark on your hard drive recovery journey. Say goodbye to data loss worries and hello to seamless recovery with Recoverit on your Mac!


Part II. How To Recover Data From External Hard Drive on Mac

If you’ve ever found yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing to recover data from an external hard drive on Mac, don’t fret! This section has got you covered with more methods to get your precious files back. Let’s dive into the four main approaches.


A. Check Trash and Time Machine Backup

Explore the simple yet effective method of checking Trash and Time Machine Backup to retrieve lost files.

Accessing Trash and Recovering Deleted Files

Start by checking your Trash for any recently deleted files. Double-click the Trash icon on your desktop to open it, then browse through the contents and restore any files you wish to recover by dragging them out of the Trash and onto your desktop or desired location.

Restoring Files From Time Machine Backup

If you’ve been diligent about backing up your data using Time Machine, you’re in luck! Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac, then navigate to the folder containing your backups. Open Time Machine from the menu bar or by searching Spotlight, select the files you want to restore and click Restore to bring them back to your external hard drive.

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B. Utilize Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a built-in macOS tool that allows you to manage and repair disk errors. Check out the steps below on how to use it to restore data from an external hard drive on Mac:

Step 1: To access Disk Utility, open Spotlight, and type Disk Utility, then hit the “Enter” key on your keyboard.

 

Step 2: Choose your external hard drive from discovered devices. Click the First Aid tab.

 

Step 3: Click Run to initiate the repair process. Disk Utility will then scan and fix any disk errors it detects, potentially resolving the issue causing data loss on your external hard drive.


C. Try Terminal Commands

Terminal is a powerful tool that executes commands directly on your Mac’s operating system. Check out how to use it below:

Step 1: To open Terminal, go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

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Step 2: Enter one of the following commands that are meant to recover external hard drive on Mac:

        `diskutil repairDisk /dev/diskX`. This command repairs the disk identified by “/dev/diskX”.

        `sudo fsck_hfs -r /dev/diskX`. This command checks and repairs an HFS+ file system.


D. Use Data Recovery Software

If the above methods haven’t yielded the desired results, it may be time to turn to third-party data recovery software specifically designed for Mac. Like Wondershare Recoverit! This software offers advanced features and algorithms tailored for Mac systems, increasing the likelihood of successful data recovery from your external hard drive.

Following these straightforward methods, you can confidently recover an external hard drive on a Mac and retrieve your valuable data easily. Whether you opt for built-in utilities or third-party software, rest assured that there’s a solution to suit your needs and get your files back where they belong.

Part III. Proactive Measures To Prevent Data Loss 

Implementing proactive measures is important to safeguard your data and avoid the need to recover files from an external hard drive on a Mac. Here’s a deeper dive into the preventive actions you can take.

 

          Regular Backups. Make it a habit to regularly back up your important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

          Antivirus Protection. Install reputable antivirus software on your Mac to protect against malware and viruses that may corrupt or delete your files.

          Handle with Care. Treat your external hard drives with care to prevent physical damage. Avoid dropping them, exposing them to extreme temperatures, or mishandling them.

          Disk Health Monitoring. Use disk diagnostic tools to check your external hard drives’ health regularly. Detecting and addressing potential issues early can help prevent data loss due to disk failure.

          Organize and Manage Files. Keep your files organized and avoid overloading your storage device with unnecessary data.

          Stay Updated. Keep your operating system and software current to ensure they get the latest security patches and bug fixes.

          Safe Ejection. Always eject external hard drives properly before disconnecting them from your Mac. Abruptly removing a drive without safely ejecting it can lead to data corruption and loss.

          Encryption. Consider encrypting sensitive data stored on your external hard drives to protect it from unauthorized access. Encryption adds an extra layer of security and ensures that your data remains protected even if your drive falls into the wrong hands.

          Compatible Systems. Avoid using external hard drives on multiple systems with incompatible file systems. This can lead to file system errors and data loss due to compatibility issues.


Conclusion

Recovering data from an external hard drive on a Mac doesn’t have to be daunting. This article covered various solutions, from checking Trash to utilizing advanced software like Wondershare Recoverit. Its user-friendly interface and advanced scanning algorithms ensure comprehensive hard drive recovery.

Remember, prevention is key. Regular backups, antivirus protection, and careful handling of your external hard drive can save you from the stress of data loss. You can protect valuable data and enjoy peace of mind knowing your files are secure.

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