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How to retrieve hard drive data from dead Macbook?

My 2017 Macbook Pro died (could not get it to turn on). I replaced it with another 13" Macbook Pro (2020). Most of my files were in Dropbox, so I was able to get up & running right away. I was told I could get an adapter to retrieve files off the old hard drive. I carefully removed the hard drive from the dead computer and ordered what I thought was the correct adapter, but it doesn't fit. Obviously, I didn't choose the correct one. Can someone give me specifics of what I should look for to get the proper adapter for this?

Best Answered by

iBoysoft author Eudora Liu

Eudora Liu

Answered on Wednesday, May 31, 2023

First, you can check if there's any problem with your battery. Perhaps the battery is bad which is preventing MacBook from powering on (or even charging).

If there's no problem with your battery, you can try to take the following methods to fix your MacBook won't turn on.

  • Detach all external devices from your Mac 
  • Reset the SMC
  • Let your MacBook charge for a longer time
  • Perform a power cycle on your computer
  • Check the display brightness settings or try to use an external monitor 
  • Seek repair service

Besides, if you want to recover data from MacBook that won't turn on, you can use iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to give help. But you mentioned you take off the hard drive from the MacBook, so following the below ways to fix this issue.

Actually, Apple uses a proprietary SSD connector, and you can check which is the right adaptor for your hard drive on the official website.

After you take the right adaptor, you can put your hard drive in it and insert it into another Mac that can work normally. And you can use professional data recovery software like iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac which can help you to recover kinds of files from the hard drives.

  1. Free download and open iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac.
  2. Choose your hard drive and click Search for Lost Data.
  3. Preview the search results and click Recover.

After that, check if you get back all the data.

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