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Can I retrieve files from damaged SSD on 2018 MacBook Pro?

Hi everyone, Water damage caused my 2018 MacBook Pro to suddenly die. Regarding the enclosed SSD, I have the following inquiries: I believe I understand that the SSD is encrypted by default. If so, are there any methods you know of to retrieve the data? I've previously tried searching for it on Google without luck; it appears that data cannot be read from the outside. Can I at least re-format the SSD to use it with an enclosure if I am unable to retrieve the data? Do you have a suggested USB-C/SSD enclosure?

Best Answered by

Amanda Wong

Answered on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Since 2015, the non-removable SSD chips have replaced the removable hard drives in the latest MacBook logic board designs. Therefore, on your 2018 MacBook Pro, the SSD is soldered to the logic board, and you can't disassemble it.

If the MacBook Pro won't turn on/die after the water damage, the only possible solution is to send your MacBook Pro to the Apple Center for repair, and if it's successfully fixed, you can recover your files back. 

If you can restart the damaged Mac computers, you can try third-party data recovery software such as iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to retrieve deleted/lost files. And, you'd better always create backups for important files on your Mac with Time Machine, iCloud, etc.