Recover Deleted Files on Mac Before or After Trash Has Been Emptied

File deletion is the most commonly used operation for any computer user to get rid of unwanted files and unsightly clutter to free up Mac storage space. Frequently users delete files and then regret doing so.

However, files will bypass the Trash bin and be permanently deleted in one of the following situations:

This article discusses 5 free and simple ways to recover deleted files on Mac computers before or after the Trash can has been emptied. Permanently deleted files without backups can only be restored by professional Mac file recovery software.

If you are trying to recover deleted Word documents, please read: How to recover unsaved, deleted and lost Word documents on Mac?

Table of Contents:

• 1. How to restore deleted files on Mac (Trash Not Emptied) 
• 2. 5 Ways to recover deleted files on Mac without software 
• 3. How to recover permanently deleted files on Mac (Trash Emptied)
• 4. Tips for increasing the success rate of Mac deleted file recovery
• 5. Common reasons for lost data
• 6. What you can do to protect your data in the future?
• 7. Conclusion
• 8. FAQ about deleted file recovery on Mac

How to restore deleted files on Mac (Trash Not Emptied) 

Files deleted on Mac's internal hard disk usually will be moved to Trash Bin, the macOS version of Windows Recycle Bin. The Trash folder will store these deleted files temporarily until they are emptied or removed after 30 days.

If you want to restore deleted files or desktop files that are disappeared on Mac, Mac Trash should be the first place to check to recover files. Files found in the Trash folder can be easily recovered by following the simple steps below:

Mac operating system will create a hidden .Trashes folder for each external device connected to it while deleting a file. If your files were stored on a USB flash drive, memory card, or external hard drive, you can check their Trash cans for deleted files but will need to make these hidden locations visible first.

How to enable hidden files in macOS Sierra or later? 

Step 1: Go to the Finder window and select the Mac disk or external device where you deleted data.

step 2: Press down Shift, Command, and . keys together and you should be able to see .Trashes folder.

Step 3: Open it, locate deleted files, right-click on them, and then choose Put Back to restore deleted files to the original location.

5 Ways to recover deleted files on Mac without software 

If you are attempting to recover recently deleted files on Mac without software, you will find the 5 methods below helpful. They either use previously created backup media or native macOS functionality. In fact, there is free Mac photo recovery software that can help you get back lost data. 

Method 1: How to recover deleted files on Mac with Undo command

The macOS hotkey combination of Command + Z can undo the last action you took. If you keep pressing them down more than once, it even can undo several sequential actions.

Method 2: How to restore deleted files on Mac with Terminal application

It is also possible to attempt a deleted file recovery using Terminal. This method uses the mv command to Mac recover deleted files.

Step 1: Go to Mac Launchpad, Other folder, and launch the Terminal app.

Step 2: Run the Terminal command below which means all operations will be related to Mac's Trash folder, and hit the Return key.

Step 3: Run another Terminal command and hit the Return key to undelete files. Recovered files will be moved to the desktop.

Merry\ Christmas is the file name and put a \ between two words if they have a space in the file name. .png is the file extension. ~/desktop/ is the folder which you would like to restore files to. If you want to undelete a bunch of files, you have to type a Terminal command for each file. Make sure you type in the complete file names and file extensions correctly.

All methods outlined above are meant to restore files from Trash. If all methods fail, don't despair as you can also try to find a duplicate on iCloud or Time Machine backup.

Method 3: How to Mac recover deleted files on Mac from cloud storage

iCloud is the cloud computing and storage service from Apple Inc. It allows you to store, update, and sync your photos, contacts, videos, apps, etc. across all of a user's Apple devices. Deleted files will be held on the iCloud drive for 30 days and then permanently deleted, so take a look to see if you can recover files from there.

Step 1: Open a web browser and visit the iCloud website: https://www.icloud.com.

Step 2: Log in to iCloud with your Apple ID and password.

Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the screen to find the Advanced section.

Step 4: Click on the Restore Files.

Step 5: Locate the files you want to restore that was previously deleted, tick the boxes in front of them, and then click Restore.

Method 4: How to restore lost files on Mac from Time Machine backup

Time Machine is one of the best backup software for Mac that introduces with Mac OS X 10.5. It is most commonly used with an external hard drive connected to Mac with a USB port or thunderbolt port.

Time Machine is extremely beneficial for data deletion recovery. Mac users can use Time Machine to restore Mac to a working Mac operating system or recover files of a certain type from Time Machine backups.

Follow the procedures below to restore missing files from Time Machine.

Step 1: Connect the storage device you use for Time Machine backup to your Mac or MacBook Pro.

Step 2: Open the folder where you accidentally deleted important files from the Finder.

Step 3: Launch Time Machine by clicking on the clock icon from the menu bar and choosing Enter Time Machine.

If you can't open Time Machine from there, you can also launch Time Machine by going to Launchpad > Other folder > Find Time Machine and clicking on it.

Step 4: Locate the files you want to recover from a set of Time Machine backups of the folder.

If your files were recently deleted, use the up/down arrow to find the deleted Mac files. If your files have been deleted for a long time, scroll up and down the timeline on the right side of your screen.

There might be multiple versions of a file because you have modified it a couple of times. You can select and preview it with the Spacebar.

Step 5: Select the lost files or folder and click Restore to recover data to the original location.

If you used a third-party Time Machine backup alternative, you can also restore deleted files on Mac by following the instructions from the specific service provider.

Method 5: Recovering deleted files on Mac with a data recovery service

Your external devices like a USB flash drive, sd card, or external hard drive may have been physically damaged. As a result, your Mac doesn't recognize the external device, and data recovery attempts will fail.

Technicians from third-party data recovery services like an Apple-certified workshop or recovery center can recover permanently deleted files and folders from a physically damaged hard disk. They take apart your device and clone it so that data can be recovered.

All work is completed in a dust-free environment by file recovery experts, so the recovery price usually is very high.

How to recover permanently deleted files on Mac (Trash Emptied)

Emptying Trash will make it impossible to restore lost or deleted files with the Put Back option, Terminal command line, and undo command. Without a recent Time Machine backup or other backup media, you can recover permanently deleted files by using Mac data recovery software.

Mac data recovery software requires no expert knowledge but only a few clicks.

Video tutorial: how to recover deleted files on Mac with iBoysoft Mac data recovery software

Recover data with data recovery software:

1. Download and install iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac.

The first step is to download the free iBoysoft Data Recovery installer on Mac running Mac OS X 10.9 to macOS 12. Double click the installation file in your Downloads folder to open it. Drag the iBoysoft Data Recovery icon to the Application folder when prompted.

2. Launch iBoysoft file recovery software on Mac.

Once the installation is complete, find iBoysoft Mac recovery tool from Launchpad or Finder and launch it. You will be brought to the data recovery home window listing all detected internal volumes. If you need to recover deleted files from an external device, connect it to Mac and wait for a few seconds to be detected by the data recovery software.

iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac supports recovering deleted files from Mac's internal hard drive or SSD, external hard drives, flash drives, and memory cards.

3. Select the drive or volume to be scanned.

Give iBoysoft Data Recovery the Full Disk Access permission with your admin password if you need to recover deleted files from Mac's internal hard drive or a Time Machine backup disk.

You can either select the entire disk or a partition that you want to recover deleted files from.

4. Click Scan to start searching for deleted files.

Use quick scan for deleted files: Quick scan can find recently deleted files quickly and display them with full file names, file extensions, file types, and date created.

Use deep scan for lost files: Deep scan scans your entire disk or partition in a binary level and can dig out files that have been deleted or lost a long time ago. Use deep scan for a more powerful and thorough scan, which takes a lot more time.

The scanning will start immediately without extra configuration.

5. Preview deleted files.

When disk scanning is done, a list of folders iBoysoft Mac file recovery software has found will be shown. To avoid recovering unnecessary files, you should use pre-recovery filters and preview to find only valuable files.

Select a file and click the Preview button. That is the only way to know if the file is fully recoverable.

6. Recover deleted files on Mac.

Once you have identified deleted files you want to recover, click the box in front of the files to select them. Then click the Recover button to restore deleted files to a new location.

iBoysoft Mac data recovery software supports recovering all file types and can recover deleted photos, documents, videos, audio files, etc.

Tips for increasing the success rate of Mac deleted file recovery

To increase the chances of successful data recovery, here are a few tips to help you find your lost data and get it back to the fullest extent possible before the data recovery process.

Stop using the device immediately

Continuing to use the disk where data loss is suspected could result in new data overwriting the recoverable files. This includes turning off the computer, safely ejecting the external hard drive, shutting down the camera or any digital device with an inserted SD card, avoiding unnecessary data transfer operations, and downloading data recovery software to a different partition.

Be aware of a failing drive

Before a storage device stops working, it usually gives some signs of failing such as grinding noises, random missing files, failed auto-mounting, getting unusually hot, or very slow data transfer speeds. You should get your data off this drive as soon as possible because the situation will only get worse and your drive could become completely corrupted at any time.

Watch for inadvertently deleted files

One single careless human error can cause huge data loss. Accidentally deleting a wrong folder or formatting a hard drive can cause the deletion of a lot of important information. Take time to verify and double check files and locations, especially before a mass deletion, and you will reduce the risk of lost files and folders.

Back up data regularly

The most effective method of recovering lost files and folders is to use the existing backup media. All professional data handling and restoration service providers suggest that you should back up your computer and important files regularly. Then you will have a recent backup to help you recover accidentally deleted files on your main disk. You can either back up your valuable data to a physical disk or cloud storage.

Eliminate malware and viruses

Malware attacks and virus infection are another two reasons for lost data. Run a reliable anti-virus tool on your Mac frequently to get rid of any viruses that might be stealing your information or destroying your data. In addition, do not click any spammy download link that might install unverified programs on your Mac without your permission.

Common reasons for lost data

Identifying the root causes will prevent you from losing the recovered files again. Here are the most widespread reasons for lost data.

Accidental deletion

When you have multiple files with a similar file name, or you want to delete several folders together to free up storage space, it is very common that you mistakenly delete the wrong files and folders.

Malware and viruses

Malware and viruses usually are distributed by cybercriminals through links in emails or on untrusted websites. Once you click on them, they steal, delete, and even overwrite your data and then cause data loss.

File system corruption

Interrupted data transfer, improper disk ejection, unexpected power outrage, failed OS update, and other unexplained factors might cause the file system of a storage device to become logically corrupted. Files can then become inaccessible and lost.

Software malfunction

A software installation or update package may be corrupted when you download it. Sudden and frequent software crashes and shutdowns will delete data you haven't saved or even lead to serious damages to your existing files on Mac's internal hard drive or connected external hard drives.

Hardware breakdown

Another majority of data loss occurs due to mechanical issues. The fragile parts such as platters and magnetic heads of a mechanical hard disk drive or the flash memory of a solid-state drive can be damaged by drops or other physical events or wear out over time. However, physical damages on a device don't necessarily indicate that your files are permanently lost. It is often best to contact a professional data recovery service to help you recover data from a seemingly-dead hard drive.

What you can do to protect your data in the future?

Now that you know how to restore deleted files on Mac, you may have come to the unfortunate conclusion that some of your files won't be able to be easily recovered. To avoid completely losing important files again, what can you do to protect them in the future?

Back up your Mac

Creating automatic backups of your Mac is one of the best ways to prevent permanently losing your data. You can easily restore deleted files on Mac as long as they have been backed up.

You have two options.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine. Time Machine is a free solution that can handle backups automatically on a Mac computer. It backs up the macOS (or Mac OS X), computer settings, applications, and created files to a connected external storage device on an hourly basis for the last 24 hours.

Back up your Mac with third-party backup software. If you need a more frequent and flexible backup of your Mac, Mac backup software or service can help you. You can set up smaller intervals between two backups and choose what types of files you want to back up with a specific file extension.

Sync your external hard drive to the cloud

Syncing your external hard drive to the cloud has many benefits. It gives you easy access to files and a convenient way to share files as well.

Most importantly, syncing the data on an external hard drive to the cloud helps you recover deleted files even if you have emptied the Trash can or your disk itself is lost.

Conclusion

You have a good chance to get back your deleted files on Mac if you follow the various Mac files recovery techniques mentioned above.

Don't wait to start the recovery process as soon as you notice a missing file. Prompt action can undelete files with a single undo command shortcut. On the other hand, deleted file recovery on Mac may not be successful if files have been deleted for months with the best Mac data recovery software.

This comprehensive data recovery software supports retrieving deleted files from internal hard drives, external hard drives, USB flash drives, SD cards, and other disk-based storage media.

To protect your data in the future, use Mac backup software or drive sync service to store another copy of your important Mac files.

FAQ about deleted file recovery on Mac