Tips and Tricks to Recover Data from an External Hard Drive on a Mac

External hard drives are essential for many Mac users. They store irreplaceable photos, work documents, and other precious files. But what if your external drive malfunctions and your data disappears? In most cases, you can get your files back.

This guide will help you recover data from your Mac’s external hard drive. We’ll show you how to prevent further data loss, explore five recovery methods, and give you tips to avoid future disasters.

The Crucial First Step: Stopping the Harm

Your external hard drive might hold important files. If you think some data is missing, stop saving new things to the drive right away. Every new file you add could overwrite the missing ones, making them impossible to recover.

The good news is, you don’t have to completely disconnect the drive. You can still use it to view your existing files and move them safely to your computer or another external storage device. Just remember, no new files should be saved onto the potentially compromised drive.

Five Paths to Data Recovery: Choosing the Right One for You

Now that we’ve plugged the figurative leak, let’s explore the various paths to data recovery. The most suitable method depends on the nature of your data loss situation.

1. A Simple Check of the Trash: Sometimes the Answer is Obvious

Just like your Mac’s internal drive, external hard drives might have a hidden Trash folder. This folder acts as a temporary holding ground for deleted files, offering a second chance for easy recovery. Here’s how to check if your missing files are hiding in plain sight:

• Connect your external hard drive to your Mac.
• Open the Trash bin on your Mac’s dock.
• Look for the files you want to recover. They might be listed alongside deleted files from your internal drive.
• Right-click on the desired file and select “Put Back.” This will restore the file to its original location on the external hard drive.

2. Data Recovery Software: A Powerful Ally in the Fight Against Data Loss

Data recovery software can be your hero. First, find a trusted program. There are many options online, some even let you try them out for free to see if they can find your lost files.

• Download the software, but be careful. Install it on your main computer, not the external drive with the missing files. We don’t want to accidentally overwrite anything more.
• Open the program and choose your external hard drive from the list.
• Time to get started! Let the software scan the drive and search for those missing files.
• Once the scan is done, you can take a peek at the recovered files to make sure they’re the ones you’re looking for.
• Finally, pick the files you want back and choose a safe place to store them on your computer or another external drive. 

3. Time Machine: Your Mac’s Built-in Guardian Angel

If you’re a diligent Mac user who religiously backs up your data with Time Machine, you might be in luck. Time Machine creates periodic snapshots of your entire system, including external drives connected during backup sessions. Here’s how to use Time Machine to recover lost data:

• Ensure both your external hard drive and the Time Machine backup drive are connected to your Mac.
• Open a Finder window and navigate to the folder on your external drive where the missing files resided.
• Launch Time Machine by clicking its icon on the menu bar.
• Utilise the timeline and arrows to navigate through past backups until you find a point in time before your data went missing.
• Locate the desired files within the Time Machine backup.
• Select the files you wish to recover and click “Restore.” This will restore the files to their original location on the external hard drive.

4. Disk Utility: A First Aid Kit for Your Failing Drive

If your external hard drive exhibits signs of imminent failure – causing crashes when connected or refusing to mount – before attempting data recovery, consider using Disk Utility to see if it can be salvaged:

• Connect your external hard drive to your Mac.
• Open Disk Utility, located in the Applications > Utilities folder

• In Disk Utility, select your external hard drive from the list in the left-hand pane.
• Click the “First Aid” button. This initiates a process that checks the disk for errors and attempts to repair them.
• You’ll be prompted to confirm the action. Remember, the drive will be unavailable while the utility performs its work.
• Once the repairs are complete, it’s highly advisable to back up the drive or copy its data onto another device. This serves as a safety measure in case the drive failure progresses. Early intervention can prevent permanent data loss.

5. When All Else Fails: The Data Recovery Service as a Last Resort

Tried everything to get your files back from your hard drive? Data recovery services can be your last chance. But it’s kinda pricey and you gotta send the drive away. Here’s how it works:

First, call the external hard drive data recovery service. Tell them what happened to your drive and how bad it looks. They’ll give you instructions on how to ship it to them.

Once they have your drive, they’ll check it out and give you an exact price to fix it. The price can be high or low depending on how messed up your drive is.

If you say yes, they’ll use fancy tools to try and get your data back. They basically copy everything from your drive to a new one.

If all goes well, you’ll get your data back on a shiny new storage device!

Also Read: How to Increase Hard Drive Performance on Windows

Safeguard Yourself Future Data Disasters

The best approach is to prevent data loss in the first place. Take a look: 

• Use Time Machine or another service to have a copy of your data in case of trouble.
• Get a good quality external hard drive. Look for reliable brands with good warranties and reviews.
• Eject safely! Always eject your external drive properly before unplugging it to avoid damaging your files.
• Keep your Mac secure. Update your operating system and security software to protect yourself from malware.