Disk Drill for macOS Review

When it comes to data recovery solutions for macOS, Disk Drill stands out as one of the most popular data recovery tools available, promises to effortlessly restore your lost or deleted data from various storage devices like internal drives, external HDDs, SSDs, USBs, and SD cards. Our goal with this review is to put Disk Drill to the test in real-world scenarios to determine whether it truly deserves its widespread acclaim.

Our Process of Evaluation of Disk Drill on macOS

To determine whether Disk Drill for macOS lives up to its reputation as a premier data recovery tool, we subjected it to a series of rigorous tests that mimic real-world data loss scenarios. Our evaluation focused on assessing Disk Drill’s performance, reliability, and versatility in recovering various types of data from different storage devices commonly used by Mac users.

Our testing was conducted on a high-performance Mac setup to make sure that Disk Drill operated under optimal conditions:

• Model: MacBook Pro (2023).
• Processor: Apple M2 Pro.
• RAM: 16GB.
• Storage: 1TB SSD.
• Operating System: macOS Sonoma.

This configuration provided the necessary resources to handle intensive data recovery tasks without bottlenecks, allowing for an accurate assessment of Disk Drill’s capabilities.

To evaluate Disk Drill’s versatility, we used a diverse range of storage devices with different capacities and file systems:

• 1TB MacBook Pro internal drive formatted with APFS.
• 2TB Seagate Backup Plus external hard drive formatted to HFS+ and exFAT.
• 32GB Kingston DataTraveler (initially FAT32, then reformatted to exFAT), 64GB SanDisk Ultra (initially FAT32, then reformatted to exFAT).
• 32GB SanDisk Extreme (used in a digital camera with RAW images and high-definition video files), 128GB Lexar Professional (used in a DSLR camera with RAW images and 4K video files).

Disk Drill’s ability to handle a wide array of file formats is critical for thorough data recovery. We tested the following file types:

• Documents: Pages (.pages), Numbers (.numbers), PDF, DOCX.
• Compressed files: ZIP, RAR.
• Disk images: DMG, ISO.
• Media files: MOV, MP4, AVI, RAW (CR2, NEF), JPEG, PNG, TIFF.
• Design files: PSD, AI.
• Miscellaneous: SQLite databases, EPUB ebooks.

Recovery Scenarios

To thoroughly evaluate Disk Drill’s effectiveness, we simulated common data loss situations that Mac users frequently encounter. These scenarios reflect real-world challenges and provide a broad assessment of Disk Drill’s capabilities. We replicated incidents to test how well Disk Drill can recover data under various conditions and from different types of storage devices commonly used in macOS environments.

• Accidental file deletion. We deleted a mix of documents, images, and videos from the internal and external drives to assess Disk Drill’s ability to recover recently removed items from an APFS-formatted drive.
• Partition formatting. The external HDD was formatted to both HFS+ and exFAT to test Disk Drill’s performance in restoring data from different file systems after reformatting. We also deleted a partition from the external HDD to evaluate Disk Drill’s ability to identify and restore lost partitions along with the data contained within them.
• Corrupted storage media. Both SD cards were deliberately corrupted by interrupting the write process during large file transfers. This simulated real-world data loss situations involving RAW images and 4K videos.

Is Disk Drill Safe to Install?

Before we go into the installation process and safety measures of Disk Drill for macOS, it’s important to address the security and reliability aspects of the software. First and foremost, always download Disk Drill directly from the official CleverFiles website. This guarantees that you are obtaining a genuine version of the software, free from any counterfeit or malicious modifications that could pose security risks to your Mac. Avoid third-party download sites, as they might host altered versions of the software that could contain harmful components.

During the installation of Disk Drill, you will be prompted to grant Full Disk Access. This permission is necessary for the software to scan and recover data from all areas of your storage devices. Full Disk Access is a standard requirement for advanced data recovery tools on macOS because it allows Disk Drill to access hidden and system files necessary for effective data retrieval. Rest assured that Disk Drill handles this access responsibly; it focuses solely on data recovery and does not interfere with your system’s normal operations.

Like most similar software, Disk Drill collects some anonymous data about how you interact with the application. This information is used to enhance its functionalities and improve user experience. However, Disk Drill respects your privacy by guaranteeing that no personal or sensitive data is collected. For users who prefer not to share any usage information, Disk Drill provides an option to disable analytics sharing.

1. Launch the Disk Drill application from your Applications folder or Launchpad.
2. Click on Disk Drill in the top menu bar and select Preferences from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Preferences window, go to the Privacy.
4. Uncheck the box labeled Share analytics with CleverFiles.
5. Close the Preferences window to save your settings.

Additionally, Disk Drill uses a non-destructive data recovery process that does not alter or overwrite existing data on your drive during recovery. This minimizes the risk of further data loss and maintains the integrity of your remaining files. We found it to be completely safe to install.

How to Use Disk Drill on macOS

No matter what storage device or file type you’re aiming to recover, the process with Disk Drill remains largely uniform and straightforward.

Our typical recovery process looked like this:

1. We opened the Disk Drill application from the Applications folder or Launchpad. The main dashboard displayed all connected storage devices, including internal drives, external HDDs, SSDs, USB flash drives, and SD cards. This overview made it easy to identify the target drive from which we needed to recover data.
2. Next, we selected the specific drive or partition where the data loss had occurred. Disk Drill supports various file systems like APFS, HFS+, FAT32, and exFAT, accommodating most Mac storage configurations.
3. After we selected the target drive, we clicked the “Search for lost data” button to begin the scanning process.
4. Once the scan was complete, Disk Drill presented a list of recoverable files categorized by type— Documents, Images, Videos, and more. We used the preview feature to inspect the integrity and relevance of each file before the recovery. This step helped us select the correct files without restoring unnecessary or corrupted data.
5. After we viewed the files, we selected the ones we wanted to recover by checking their corresponding boxes. We then clicked the “Recover” button and chose a safe destination to save the recovered data. It’s recommended to save the files to a different drive or partition to prevent overwriting any recoverable data on the original storage medium.
6. Upon completion, we navigated to the recovery destination to access and verify the restored files, checking if all important data had been successfully retrieved without any issues.

Our Findings on Disk Drill’s Performance

After conducting thorough tests across various data loss scenarios, the Mac version of Disk Drill demonstrated exceptional recovery performance, validating its reputation as a leading data recovery tool. Below are the detailed findings from our assessments:

Recovery Success Rate

Disk Drill consistently achieved high recovery success rates across all tested scenarios. In cases of accidental file deletion, the software successfully retrieved 100% of the deleted documents, images, and videos from the external drives. In partition format tests on the external HDDs, Disk Drill recovered over 95% of the files from both HFS+ and exFAT formats. Even in the more difficult scenario of corrupted SD cards, the tool managed to recover 90% of the data, which included all RAW images and most 4K video files. These impressive success rates underscore Disk Drill’s robustness and reliability in diverse data recovery situations.

File Integrity

The integrity of recovered files was meticulously maintained throughout our tests. All recovered files retained their original filenames, folder structures, and metadata. This allows users to seamlessly reintegrate them into their workflows or personal collections. In the case of large video files recovered from formatted partitions, a few instances of minor fragmentation were observed; however, these did not significantly impact the playability or usability of the files. Overall, Disk Drill excelled in preserving the quality and structure of recovered data.

Recovery Speed

Disk Drill demonstrated impressive efficiency in terms of recovery speed. The scan was completed within approximately 10 minutes for recently deleted files, while more complex recovery tasks, took around 20 to 50 minutes depending on the size and complexity of the data. In scenarios involving corrupted SD cards, the scan was completed in about 30 minutes per card. These swift recovery times make Disk Drill a practical choice for both urgent and routine data recovery needs.

User Experience

The user experience with Disk Drill was great. Unlike some other recovery tools, Disk Drill operates without intrusive popup windows and offers a clean, distraction-free interface throughout the recovery process. The intuitive and organized interface allowed users of all technical levels to navigate the recovery process with ease. We were able to preview and recover files even before the scan was fully completed, which significantly accelerated the recovery workflow. The preview functionality was one of the best we have seen in similar tools, and it provided clear and detailed previews that made it easy to verify the integrity and relevance of each file. The combination of these features resulted in a smooth and efficient user experience, which enhanced our overall satisfaction with the software.

Advanced Features

Disk Drill’s advanced features significantly enhanced its data recovery capabilities. Beyond the basic recovery tools, Disk Drill offers an impressive additional arsenal of functionalities designed to provide extensive data protection and management:

• Data Protection. Tools that help protect your data against future loss.
• S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring. Continuously monitors the health of your drives to alert you of potential issues before they lead to data loss.
• Data Shredder. Securely deletes sensitive files, making them unrecoverable.
• Find Duplicates. Identifies and removes duplicate files to free up valuable storage space.
• Clean Up. Helps optimize your system by removing unnecessary files and clutter.
• macOS Installer. Facilitates a smooth installation process tailored for macOS environments.
• Byte-to-Byte Backup. Creates a complete image of a failing drive, enabling safe and effective data recovery from the backup rather than the compromised device.

Pricing and Licensing

Like most tools on the market, Disk Drill for macOS is not entirely free. However, it offers a variety of pricing plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of its users, ranging from casual individuals to professional data recovery specialists. These plans provide different levels of functionality and support, let’s take a closer look:

• Basic (Free) version. The Basic version of Disk Drill is available at no cost, allowing users to preview recoverable files. While this tier includes features such as file previews, Data Protection, and Byte-to-Byte Backup, actual data recovery requires an upgrade to a paid plan. This makes the Basic version an excellent choice for users who need to assess the software’s capabilities before deciding to invest in a full recovery solution.
• PRO Version ($89). The PRO version unlocks unlimited data recovery for a single user, supporting up to three device activations. This plan includes advanced scanning methods. It is ideal for users who require exhaustive recovery solutions for multiple storage devices or more complex data loss scenarios. You can also opt for Lifetime Upgrades for an additional $19.
• Enterprise Version ($499). Designed for businesses and professional data recovery services, the Enterprise version supports up to ten users with unlimited device activations. It encompasses all features available in the PRO version, along with priority technical support and additional tools suited for large-scale data recovery operations. This tier is best suited for organizations that demand robust and scalable data recovery solutions.

These options keep Disk Drill accessible and competitive, providing value for a wide range of users from individual consumers to large enterprises. Whether you need a basic solution for occasional data recovery or a complete toolset for professional use, Disk Drill offers flexible plans to meet your needs.

Disk Drill’s Support

While Disk Drill for macOS is renowned for its ease of use and swift data recovery capabilities, encountering issues is always a possibility. Fortunately, CleverFiles provides support to help users navigate and resolve any challenges that may arise during the recovery process.

Disk Drill offers an extensive library of tutorials available on their official website. These guides cover a wide range of topics, such as data recovery from various device types, different platforms, and specific file formats. Whether you need to retrieve lost documents, photos, or videos, these tutorials provide step-by-step instructions to assist you effectively.

Additionally, Disk Drill’s detailed Knowledge Base is packed with valuable information, such as in-depth articles and guides that delve into advanced recovery techniques and best practices. A standout feature is its encouragement for users to first utilize their operating system’s built-in utilities before opting for Disk Drill. This balanced approach empowers users with foundational recovery skills and helps them make informed decisions about when to use Disk Drill’s advanced tools.

If the tutorials and knowledge base do not resolve your issue, Disk Drill provides multiple avenues for direct support:

• For immediate assistance, users can engage with Disk Drill’s support team through live chat on their website.
• Alternatively, you can fill out a support form detailing your problem. The Disk Drill team will respond with tailored solutions to help you overcome any obstacles in your data recovery journey.
• Disk Drill maintains an active presence on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These channels offer additional ways to seek help, share experiences, and stay updated with the latest features and updates.

Our Verdict

After a thorough evaluation, Disk Drill stands out as one of the best data recovery software solutions we have ever tested. It delivered excellent performance across all evaluated metrics. Its high recovery success rates, impeccable file integrity preservation, efficient recovery speeds, and user-friendly interface make it a top-tier data recovery solution. The seamless integration of advanced features further solidifies Disk Drill’s position as a versatile and reliable tool capable of addressing a wide range of data loss scenarios. Whether you’re a professional managing critical data or a casual user restoring personal files, Disk Drill offers the necessary tools to retrieve your valuable information.

👍 Pros

• High recovery success rate across various scenarios.
• Maintains original filenames, folder structures, and metadata.
• Fast recovery speeds.
• Intuitive and organized interface without intrusive popups.
• Impressive arsenal of advanced features including data protection, S.M.A.R.T. monitoring, Data shredder, Find duplicates, Clean up, and Byte-to-byte Backup.
• Excellent preview functionality, allowing file preview and recovery even before the scan is fully completed.
• Thorough support system with tutorials, and an extensive knowledge base.
• Non-destructive recovery process that does not alter or overwrite existing data on your drives.
• Dark mode.
• Session management.

👎 Cons

• The Free version only allows file previews without enabling actual data recovery.
• No ability to create custom boot disks, which can be useful in certain recovery scenarios.