Can Data Be Recovered After Deletion on a 2019 MacBook Pro?

data recovery
1

I accidentally deleted data on my 2019 MacBook Pro and was told recovery is impossible due to the device model. Is this true? If so, why does this model prevent data recovery compared to others?

2

In many cases, yes, it really can be unrecoverable on a 2019 MacBook Pro.

That model includes the Apple T2 Security Chip and uses SSDs with hardware-based encryption enabled by default.

Here’s what’s happening under the hood:

  • Your data is always encrypted with keys stored in the T2 chip
  • When files are deleted (especially if the drive is erased or APFS space is reclaimed), the system may discard the encryption keys
  • Once those keys are gone, the underlying data is effectively cryptographically unrecoverable, even if raw bits still exist

Also:

  • Modern macOS uses APFS, which aggressively reuses freed space
  • SSDs use TRIM, meaning deleted blocks get wiped quickly

So unlike older spinning drives, there’s no practical way to “scan and recover” data.

However, data recovery becomes possible as long as you:

  • Have Time Machine backup.
  • Backed up the data using iCloud.
  • Your Mac has local snapshots or hidden copies of the deleted files.
    Then, you can use a data recovery tool. For me, I used iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to scan my Mac and found the copies of the deleted files.
1 Like
3

Truly, it is almost impossible to recover the permanently deleted files on a Mac using SSD, as the TRIM feature.