Compared to a thumb drive, the external hard drive offers faster read speeds, greater storage capacity, and greater stability. Therefore, many Mac users use it to transfer and share data between different computers or store Time Machine backups. However, data loss due to individual improper operations, external disk logical corruption, or mechanical failure happens regularly. When it happens, you are very likely to ask if it is possible to recover data from the external hard drive on a Mac. For sure, there are. Below, we explain why and share corresponding solutions.
Why Can Data Lost from An External Disk Be Recovered on the Mac, even If It's corrupted?
When you create or save a file on an external hard drive in Mac, the file system allocates storage space for it and creates an index entry. The index entry is like an "address label" for the file, recording information such as the file name, size, creation date, updated date, and storage location on the disk. Although it might be lost, disappear, or become inaccessible due to one of the following scenarios, in fact, the file still remains intact on the external hard disk. Why? We'll tell you the answer next.
❌ File loss due to deletion, copy-and-paste, or virus infection. When deleting a file on an external disk, the file system does not immediately erase its metadata. It only removes its index entry in the file directory. It is similar to removing the index card of a book from a library shelf, while the book itself remains on the shelf.
External hard drive partition deletion, loss, and more. It is similar to accidental file deletion, except that the partition table index information for the partition is missing or corrupted. The files themselves are still saved in their original sectors.
🩹 Formatting. It only resets the file allocation table and directory structure of the file system. Files on the external hard drive simply become invisible due to the loss of their index entries.
Please note that if you have used a third-party professional file erasing tool or selected "Fast" or higher secure way in the Disk Utility "Safety" settings to erase this disk, the files will be overwritten with zeros or blank entries, making them unrecoverable.
💢 Files disappear unexpectedly. If you are sure that a file was not accidentally deleted or cut to another location, then it is likely that its attribute was accidentally changed to "hidden".
⚠️ Malfunctions of the external hard drive or a volume within it. Corruption or missing configuration files in the external hard drive file system can prevent access to files or cause errors. This is similar to formatting storage media, where only the file system changes while the stored data remains intact.
⛓️💥 Physical damage. Although the external hard drive may become unrecognizable by the Mac due to a burned-out circuit board, damaged read/write heads, or scratches on the platter, the data stored within it is not actually destroyed. In this case, you can still recover the data from the external hard drive with the help of professional assistance.
Mustn’t Do Before External Disk Recovery on Your Mac
Now that you know the lost files are still on the external hard disk, do you want to retrieve them? Before beginning, you must understand some things that absolutely cannot be done.
Immediately stop all read/write operations on this external hard drive. Continuing to use it after data loss may overwrite the sectors containing the files you are trying to recover, resulting in permanent loss. Furthermore, if it is used to store Time Machine backups, please pause such automatic tasks, as this may write new data without your knowledge.
When your external hard drive loses files due to deletion or wiping, do not use applications like Disk Utilities or the CHKDSK for Mac command to scan it. These tools may attempt to rebuild directory entries, file allocation tables, etc., corrupting the data you are trying to recover. For example, rewriting a document into a fragmented file like FILE0001.CHK, or even rendering it useless.
When installing external HDD recovery software for Mac, do not install it onto this disk. If a file is deleted, the file system marks the sector as free to accommodate new data, while the original file is still there but invisible. At that time, installing any app on the external hard drive may overwrite the lost file, making it unrecoverable.
If you suspect there are physical problems, such as unusual noises, dents, cracks, etc., do not try any DIY recovery methods. It will prevent further damage and loss of data. In this case, please use a local service provider specializing in hardware repair and data retrieval.
Do not save recovered files to this external hard drive. It may overwrite other recoverable data, making them unrecoverable.
Once you follow the tips above, recovering deleted, lost, or formatted files from an external hard drive on your Mac will become very easy. Let's take a look at the applicable solutions.
How to Recover Data from an External Hard Drive on Mac by Yourself
Recovery Possibility: High
Applicable situations: Suitable for most data loss scenarios, such as accidental deletion, formatting, virus infection, partition loss/corruption, or the external hard drive logical failure (not recognized by Mac, not displayed in Finder, inaccessible, data access errors, etc.).
To recover these lost files on your own without a backup, your only option is to use external hard disk recovery software for Mac. While many people may feel uneasy about this, don't worry, as long as your external hard drive isn't physically damaged, it's usually viable; the only difference is the success rate. Below, we recommend several highly efficient tools.
We'll begin by showing you how to use iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac. It's one of the most popular choices for Mac users due to its complete features and simple interface. Its main functions are:
Supports over 1000+ file types, meaning you can recover various data from external hard drives on your Mac.
It lets you quickly scan for recently deleted files or perform a deep scan to recover data from formatted or damaged external hard drives.
Repairs errors in the recoverable image and video files through interpolation or replacement.
Previews various file types before recovery to verify the content.
The best external hard drive recovery software for Mac also offers other useful functions, such as file/ drive backup, advanced video repair, etc.
To recover files from an external hard drive on a Mac using iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, you need to follow the steps below.
Connect the external hard disk from which you need to restore files to a Mac. Usually, a USB cable will do the work.
Locate the iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac program icon in your Applications folder and double-click to run it. Afterward, enter your Mac login password to grant it the required permissions.
When you launch the program, you’ll see a list of all available storage devices. Select the external disk, and then click the "Search for Lost Files" button in the lower right corner of the page.
When the scan begins, all recoverable files will be placed into their corresponding tabs, such as photos, documents, and videos. You can view them immediately without waiting. Additionally, you can double-click the item to preview its contents.
Finally, select the files you accidentally deleted or lost. After that, click the "Recover" button in the lower-right corner of the page, then choose a location to save them.
#2: DMDE — Disk Editor & Data Recovery Software
It is also an effective data recovery software for Mac external hard drives. The only drawback is that, unlike iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, it cannot repair corrupted files. Here are the main features of DMDE.
Supports external disks with multiple file systems, including exFAT, HFS+, APFS, FAT, NTFS, and Ext.
Portable activation function, usable on multiple Macs.
Recovers accidentally deleted external hard drive partitions on Mac.
Able to retrieve external hard drive data via file signature mode, which is useful when the file system is severely corrupted.
The following steps demonstrate how to recover data from the external hard drive on a Mac with DMDE.
Go to the DMDE official website and download the macOS version. Double-click the .dmg file, then follow the instructions to launch it.
In the main interface, select "Logical disks" > "External hard drive where data needs to be recovered," and then click "Open Volume." If an error occurs, select "Full Scan."
Select the items you need and then click "Recover." If no missing files are found, you can always go back to the previous step to change the scan mode.
Other Popular External HDD Recovery Software for Mac You Can Try
In our testing, the following programs also deserve your attention. You can choose according to your needs.
Disk Drill for Mac
With its user-friendly interface and efficient scanning capabilities, Disk Drill supports a wide range of data loss scenarios. Furthermore, it can monitor your disk's health and provide a byte-by-byte backup of your damaged external hard drive, allowing you to restore its data.
TestDisk & PhotoRec
It is a combination of open-source software: TestDisk is used to recover deleted, lost, or damaged partitions in the external hard disk, while PhotoRec helps you recover files. Although they lack a graphical interface, they do come with detailed instructions.
Stellar Data Recovery
It functions similarly to Disk Drill, but it's the only option on the list that can help you recover files from an encrypted external hard drive on your Mac.
Other Methods for Recovering Deleted or Lost Files from the External Hard Drive on a Mac
Losing important files often happens unexpectedly. Fortunately, macOS's built-in features can also help you get them back, though they may only work in specific situations. Now, let's learn the details.
Method 1. Check the Trash Bin
Recovery Chance: Medium
Applicable for: Files accidentally deleted after an external hard drive is connected to your Mac
In earlier versions of macOS, as in Windows, files deleted from an external hard drive were permanently deleted instead of being placed in the Trash bin. Some careless users lost valuable data in this way. However, it is no longer the case in macOS 10.15 Catalina and later versions. When you realize you deleted some files by mistake, open the Trash to find them, then right-click and select "Put Back" to restore them to their original location. It's that simple!
Tip: If you are sure the file was accidentally deleted and it's not in your Mac's Trash, you can also open the external hard drive and press "Command + Shift + ." to look for items in the ".Trashes" folder. Your deleted file might be there.
Method 2. Using Time Machine Backup
Recovery Chance: High
Applicable for: You had backed up the files using Time Machine before they were lost.
Mac's built-in Time Machine can back up your data to prevent loss. If you find that some files on your external hard drive are deleted and the trash is emptied, or they are lost due to formatting, then a Time Machine backup is very helpful. Here are the steps for restoring lost files with a Time Machine backup:
Connect the disk you're using as a storage backup to the Mac and launch Time Machine.
Open your external hard drive and go to the location where the file was saved before it was deleted.
Click the timeline on the right side of the page to roll back to a point in time before it was deleted. The file should now appear on your screen.
Select it and click "Restore". If you need to restore multiple items, hold down the "Command" key and click each item to select it. After that, restore them.
Tip: Nowadays, many users prefer cloud storage for saving important files. If you have ever uploaded them to cloud storage, you should still have a copy here.
How to Repair an Unrecognized or Inaccessible External Hard Drive on a Mac to Retrieve the Data from It
In many cases, if your external disk is not recognized by the Mac or you encounter error messages when trying to access it, the problem is a file system failure or incorrect settings. The following steps may help fix these errors.
Method 1. Use Disk Utility
Recovery Chance: Moderate
Applicable for: When the external hard disk is not shown on the desktop or Finder sidebar after being connected to a Mac, provided there are no signs of physical damage (abnormal noises, overheating, broken heads, etc.).
Assuming the USB cable is intact, if your external hard drive doesn't appear on your Mac, the first step is to check it in the macOS Disk Utility application. If it is, the following methods can make it appear on your Mac.
Note: If it is not displayed here, it indicates a more serious connection or hardware problem, which requires professional help.
To show on the desktop: After opening Finder, go to Settings > General, and ensure that "External disks" is selected under the "Show these items on the desktop" option.
To display in the sidebar: In Finder settings, switch to the "Sidebar" tab, and under the "Locations" option, ensure that "External disks" is selected.
Method 2. Use First Aid to Repair File System Problems
Repair Chance: Medium
Applicable for: Error messages appear when accessing the external hard drive, such as "Cannot be read by Mac," "Access Denied," "Permission Error," Error -50/61, etc.
The file system is responsible for managing data on your external hard drive and communicating with your Mac. If it malfunctions, the above error messages will appear when you access the external hard drive. Fortunately, the "First Aid" in Disk Utility can repair these errors. Here are the steps:
Open Disk Utility app from the Utilities folder.
Select your external hard disk in the sidebar.
Click the First Aid button in the toolbar. Finally, click Run in the dialog box, confirm, and then begin checking and repairing errors in the file system.
Method 3. Recover Data and Repair Errors Using an External Hard Drive Image
Repair Chance: High
Applicable for: When the "First Aid" function in Disk Utility fails to repair file system errors.
If you suspect physical damage to your external hard drive, or if the above-mentioned methods do not work to repair the external hard drive, you can use an image of it to recover the files within. iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac can create a sector-level image of the external hard drive and then extract the data. In this way, you can work on the image without directly manipulating the original disk, thereby avoiding further damage to it or the data it contains.
To recover data from the corrupted external hard drive on a Mac, follow the steps below.
Open iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, and then click "File Backup" in the left-hand panel.
Make sure you see the "Create Backup" option, and then click "Next".
Select the damaged external hard drive, and then click "Create Backup".
In the pop-up dialog box, select a location to save the image of the external hard drive. Then click "Save" and wait for the process to finish.
Back to step 2, switch to the "Recover" option and click "Next".
Select the image created in step 4.
Select the files you need to save to another location.
Finally, open Disk Utility, select your external hard drive, and click "Erase" in the top menu to reset the file system and repair the error.
Tip: If you are unsure which file system is suitable for your external hard drive, please read this guide on APFS vs. HFS+ vs. exFAT.
How to Recover Data from a Physically Damaged External Hard Drive Using Data Recovery Services
As mentioned above, using a data recovery service is a better option when your external hard drive is physically damaged or in complex situations that software cannot work out. Although the process is time-consuming and much more expensive than software, we believe it is worthwhile for the precious data. If you are willing to try, please follow these steps to contact them.
Open Google, type "disk recovery service" and press Enter.
Usually, you can see service providers near you on the map in the results page. Then call the service provider and explain how the data on your external hard drive was lost.
Once you reach an agreement, take your external hard drive to the physical store.
After the service provider completes their assessment, you will receive a quote and a list of recoverable files.
After confirmation and payment, an engineer will begin external hard drive data recovery and send it to you via an encrypted drive or the cloud.
Note: If this external hard drive is still under warranty, please choose one that meets the manufacturer's certification requirements.
Summary
These are all the solutions for recovering data from an external hard drive on a Mac, even if it's physically damaged. When your important files are unexpectedly lost, and you don't have a backup, the first step is to use data recovery software. Based on our testing, tools like iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac are often your best choice. It is easy to use and can repair items damaged by deletion or formatting, as well as back up your current data. This not only offers a higher file recovery success rate but also prevents them from being lost again.
Afterwards, you can choose other external hard drive data recovery methods depending on your situation:
📑 Accidentally deleted files without emptying the Trash: Open the Trash, select the deleted files, right-click, and select "Put Back."
📤 Files were backed up using Time Machine or uploaded to cloud storage before being lost: You can retrieve them using the above methods without needing software.
⚠️ The external hard drive has logical errors: First, use Disk Utility's "First Aid" function. Second, use its image to recover the data and reset the file system.
⛓️💥 The external disk is physically damaged: Hiring a professional engineer is your last hope for file recovery.
Finally, regardless of which method you choose, we believe this guide can help you. To increase the success rate, please follow our tips before starting the external hard drive data recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, there isn’t. While Time Machine can help you recover lost files, it only works when you previously had backed them up. Otherwise, using a third-party tool, such as iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, is a better option.
It's simple! If you don't have a copy, you can recover the file with external hard drive recovery software for Mac. The data loss process only modifies the file's information in the file system, not its content. The metadata remains, and with the help of software, you can get it back.
Yes, there are many external disk recovery software for Mac you can try, including popular ones such as iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, Disk Drill, TestDisk & PhotoRec, etc.
First, stop all operations on the external hard drive, such as saving new data or reformatting, as any further operation will overwrite or destroy existing files, making them permanently lost. If you don't have a backup, use iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac to recover the erased files. If you do have them, please refer to the guide on how to restore an accidentally erased hard drive on Mac.