3 Ways for How to Undo Disk Utility Erase on Mac

For all its ease of use and functionality, Macintosh computers can turn out to be quite tricky to handle in some cases. This is especially true for software like Disk Utility which can cause issues for some users when deleting data. There are countless cases of people losing their data through Disk Utility erase and then wondering how to recover data erased from disk utility. Thankfully, the problem is very much solvable, and we will be sharing multiple methods that you can use to get the files back that you may have lost through the Disk Utility Erase process.

Part 1. Is it Possible to Undo Disk Utility Erase?

There is no doubt that seeing all your data suddenly vanish from your grip completely can be worrying. However, while the Disk Utility erases function does a good job of removing your files, it still relies on a hard disk that ultimately holds the files after deletion. However, keep in mind that the more time you spend overwriting the drive, the less likely it would become for you to recover files from erased hard drive on Mac. Therefore, if you want to recover data after disk utility erases, we recommend that you do so immediately.

As for the possibility to undo disk utility erase, not only can you do it, but we know three different ways that you can go about it. We will be sharing the details of each method with you below so keep reading to find out how each of them works.

Part 2. How to Undo Disk Utility Erase

Method #1. Undo Disk Utility Erase by Using Time Machine Backup

Apple offers its users the ability to back up their data to an external drive through software called Time Machine. This is an Apple proprietary software that allows users to create backups of their files and folders and their entire operating systems.

Depending on the type of deletion that occurred, you would be required to go by different steps. However, since we are talking about how to recover data erased from disk utility, we can safely say that the OS method does not apply here. As for recovering files and folders, here are the steps that you will need to take.

1. Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac.
2. On the top left corner of the screen, click on the Apple logo and select the "System Preferences" option.
3. In the window that opens, select the Time Machine icon. This will be a clock with an anti-clockwise arrow around it and "Time Machine" written under the icon.
4. In the next window, select the check box next to the text saying, "Show Time Machine in Menu Bar", and close the window.
5. In the menu bar, you will see a similar icon for Time Machine. Click on it and select the "Enter Time Machine" option in the dropdown menu.
6. Your Mac will open the Time Machine backup files that you have on your drive and from there, you can select the files and folders you want to restore. Once you have selected all the files you need, click on the "Restore" button to retrieve data to your Mac.

Method #2. Undo Disk Utility Erase by Using the "Restore" Feature in Disk Utility

Considering the fact that you used Disk Utility to erase data from your drive, the following question comes to mind automatically: does disk utility repair erase data? The answer to this question has always been yes. The Disk Utility feature is among the oldest applications on Mac, and it has always had the option to restore files from one disk to another. However, for it to work and let you find data, you need to have created a backup first. If you did, you could follow these steps to recover data after disk utility erase.

1. Go to Applications > Utilities folder and find the Disk Utility icon in the folder. Typically, this icon is represented by a hard drive with a stethoscope on top of it. Open the Disk Utility app.
2. You will see a list of internal and external drives connected to your Mac on the sidebar. Select the one you want to restore. This will be your destination hard disk.
3. Next, click on the Restore button on top of the screen.
4. Now the application will show a popup window where you will need to choose a source drive. This can be a Time Machine backup or other media as well. Once you have selected the correct option in the dropdown list, you can click on the "Restore" button in the popup and then click on "Done" when complete.

For anyone wondering, does disk utility repair erase data, the answer, as you can see, is yes. However, one thing that many people do not know is that this feature only deals with complete drives. That means once you select the restore option, whatever data you have currently in your destination drive will be wiped before the backup data is restored onto it. If you do not want that to happen, then the Restore feature is not for you. If you erase data, disk utility is not the place for you to find the solution.

Method #3. Undo Disk Utility Erase by Using Data Recovery Software

Sometimes when a problem is not solvable at the source, you need to call in specialists who can do the job well for you. While there is plenty of drive recovery software out there, we would recommend iBeesoft Mac Data Recovery for its ease of use, free storage option, and other great features. If you want to avoid using disk utility to recover deleted files or cannot do so, then iBeesoft Data Recovery can be extremely helpful.

In the case of disk utility erase, the software can easily scan the drive and get back all your valuable data. The process is extremely easy and takes only three steps to complete. To find out how to restore files erased from disk utility using iBeesoft, read the following steps carefully.

1. Download and Install the iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac on your computer
Free Download
2. Open it, you will see multiple data types that you can select to scan for. Select the ones you want to recover or select "All File Types" at the bottom for general recovery. Once selected, click on the "Start" button in the middle.
3. The window that appears in this step will ask you for the drive that you want to perform the scan on. You will be presented with a list of media connected to your Mac including internal and external drives. Select the drive from where you want to retrieve the data and then click on the "Scan" button on the top left of the screen.
4. The software will start scanning and populating the retrievable data on the next screen now. You can wait for the entire data to get recognized before doing anything. However, if you want selective data, you can go through the list of recoverable files and select all the files you need to copy. In case the files you are looking for are not showing up, you can opt for the "Deep Scan" option on the top left portion of the window. Once you have selected everything that you need, you can click on the "Recover" button on top of the window to restore the files to your computer.

It supports a host of different drive types and can recover permanently deleted files on Mac easily. It supports a wide range of file formats and is more than capable of recovering practically anything that an everyday user may want. The software also supports all kinds of systems apart from Mac, including external disk, Windows PC, and more.

This guide can also help you to find files after accidentally erased external hard drive with disk utility.

Part 3. Frequently Asked Questions for Undo Disk Utility Erase

1. Can an erased Mac be recovered?

Yes, it is certainly possible to recover an erased Mac if you have a backup available. This can either be a Time Machine backup or a local Disk Utility backup which you can access by taking your Mac into recovery mode. You can also use third-party software to install Mac recovery.

2. Can be erased data be recovered from a hard disk?

Yes, it is possible to restore data from a hard disk that has been wiped. The methodology can differ slightly depending on the type of drive and the medium it is being used in. Hard disks retain data on themselves even after it is deleted, at least if no other data is written on top of it. You can use the built-in tools of your OS to recover files or use third-party software like iBeesoft Data Recovery to do it more easily.

3. What happens if I erase Macintosh HD in Disk Utility?

To let Disk Utility recover deleted files, you must find it in your Applications > Utilities menu and open the Disk Utility app. From there, you can find the Restore option in the app, where you will be asked to select the source and destination drives. Keep in mind that your previous data on your destination drive will be wiped if you use Disk Utility for restoring data.

4. How do you undo erase on a MacBook?

While there is no Undo feature when it comes to data wiping on MacBooks, you do have the option of recovering lost data using different options like Time Machine backup, Disk Utility restore, or third-party recovery software.

Now that you know how to restore files erased from disk utility, you should be able to recover any data that you may have lost from a Disk Utility wipe, be it accidental or intentional. For most users, the last option would be the most suitable as it requires minimal effort and can scan for data lost through other ways too apart from Disk Utility