How to Recover Deleted Folders on a Mac

Discovering that an important folder on your Mac is missing creates problems straight away. Whether it contained important work documents or cherished photos, losing it can disrupt your activities. However, Mac computers are equipped with systems that can sometimes allow you to recover these precious files, even after you think they’re gone for good. This guide aims to walk you through several effective methods to retrieve deleted folders on your Mac, providing hope and solutions in what may seem like a dire situation.

Is it Possible to Recover Deleted Folders on Mac?

When you delete a folder on your Mac, the likelihood of successful recovery depends on several critical factors. Identifying these can help you gauge your chances and inform the steps you should take immediately if you aim to retrieve your lost data.

  • šŸ—‚ļø File System Type: The file system (e.g., APFS or HFS+) significantly impacts how data deletion is handled. Systems like APFS are designed with features that can complicate recovery due to how they manage snapshots and space.
  • šŸ’¾ Device Type: Recovery chances vary depending on whether the folder was deleted from an SSD, an HDD, an external hard drive, or a USB flash drive. SSDs with enabled TRIM commands, which help manage free space but make recovery nearly impossible, are standard on newer Macs.
    Note that TRIM commands cannot be disabled on SSDs from macOS Big Sur onwards.
  • šŸ“ Usage After Deletion: Continuing to use your device after deletion risks overwriting the data, diminishing recovery prospects.
  • šŸ“„ File Size and Type: The size and type of the deleted files play a role; larger and more fragmented files are often harder to recover.
  • šŸ’½ Backup Availability: Having recent backups, such as those from Time Machine, can dramatically improve your chances of recovery, offering a straightforward way to restore lost data.
  • šŸ—‘ļø Method of Deletion: Files removed via the Recycle Bin can often be recovered directly from there, offering a simple restoration method. In contrast, files deleted permanently (e.g., using Command + Option + Shift + Delete) bypass the Recycle Bin, necessitating recovery through backup copies or specialized data recovery software.
Immediate Action After Data Loss: The first thing you should do after realizing a folder has been accidentally deleted is to stop using the device. Continuing to use the Mac can lead to data overwriting, which significantly reduces the chances of a successful recovery. Cease all activities that could write new data to the disk, such as installing software, downloading files, or even browsing the internet.

With this in mind, you can maximize your chances of recovering a recently deleted folder on your Mac, turning a potential disaster into a manageable hiccup.

How to Use Built-in Tools to Restore Deleted Folders

When it comes to retrieving a deleted folder on your Mac, several built-in tools offer straightforward solutions. These methods leverage the features of macOS to help you restore your data without needing additional software.

1. Recover Deleted Folder from the Trash Bin

If you’ve accidentally deleted a folder, the first place to check is your Macā€™s Trash Bin. This is often the simplest method for recovery, assuming the data hasn’t been permanently removed from the Bin. Here’s how to restore a folder from the Trash Bin:

  1. Open the Trash Bin: Click on the Trash icon located in the dock. This will display all files and folders currently in the Trash.
  2. Locate the Deleted Folder: Browse through the list of deleted items or use the search function at the top right of the Trash window to find your specific folder.
  3. Restore the Folder: Right-click on the folder you wish to recover and select “Put Back”. This action will restore the folder to its original location on your Mac.Put back folder from Trash bin

Restoring files from the Trash Bin is immediate and does not require any additional setup or tools. If your deleted folder is still present in the Trash, recovery is just a few clicks away.

Note: macOS is configured such that files and folders deleted in the usual mannerā€”from your internal drive, as well as external devices like hard drives, USB drives, or SD cardsā€”are moved to the Trash Bin. This universal handling makes the Trash Bin a central point for initial recovery efforts for nearly all connected storage devices.

2. Recover Deleted Folder with Time Machine

If the deleted folder is not in the Trash Bin or has been emptied from it, the next built-in tool to consider is Time Machine, macOS’s integrated backup feature. This method allows you to restore your files from a backup, assuming you have Time Machine set up and running before the data loss occurred. Hereā€™s how to recover your folder using Time Machine:

  1. Connect the Backup Drive: Attach the external drive that contains your Time Machine backups to your Mac.
  2. Enter Time Machine: Open Time Machine from the System Preferences, or click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and choose “Browse Time Machine Backups.”Browse Time Machine backups option
  3. Navigate to the Time of Deletion: Use the timeline on the edge of the screen to find the date before the folder was deleted. You can browse through the backups from different days to find the exact version of the folder you need.
  4. Select and Restore: Once you locate the folder, click on it to select it, and then click the “Restore” button to recover the folder to its original location or a new location of your choosing.restore folder from Time Machine backup

Using Time Machine for recovery is particularly effective because it not only restores the lost folder but also ensures that the version you get back is as close to the time of deletion as possible, depending on your backup schedule.

3. Restore Files from Deleted Folders with Local Snapshots

Local snapshots are a valuable feature of Time Machine, providing backup copies of your data stored directly on your Mac’s internal storage. While it’s not possible to restore an entire folder directly from local snapshots, you can retrieve individual files from within the folder. Hereā€™s how to use local snapshots to restore files:

  1. Check for Local Snapshots: Open Terminal and type tmutil listlocalsnapshots / to display any available snapshots from recent dates.check local snapshots on Mac
  2. Enter Time Machine with Local Snapshots: Without connecting an external backup drive, open Time Machine as you normally would. Your Mac will access the available local snapshots for file recovery.
  3. Select the Snapshot: Navigate within the Time Machine interface to a date that includes a snapshot before your files were deleted.
  4. Restore Files: Locate the files within the context of their folder, select each file you wish to recover, and press the “Restore” button to save them back to your Mac.restore files from local snapshot

Restoring files from local snapshots can serve as a quick solution for accessing your lost data, especially when regular backups aren’t available.

How to Recover Deleted Folders with Third-Party Software Solutions

If the deleted folder is neither in the Trash Bin nor recoverable through backup copies, third-party software becomes essential. These tools delve deeper into your Mac’s file system, offering a chance to retrieve files that seem permanently lost. Hereā€™s how to choose and use third-party recovery tools effectively:

  • šŸ—‚ļø Support of File Systems: Make sure the software can handle various file systems like APFS, HFS+, FAT32, or exFAT.
  • šŸ—‘ļø Handling Various File Loss Scenarios: The tool should be capable of addressing multiple types of data loss situations, whether due to accidental deletion or disk corruption.
  • šŸ’» Convenient Interface and File Preview Function: A user-friendly interface with a robust file preview feature is crucial for simplifying the recovery process.
  • šŸ’° Price: Consider the cost relative to the features offered. While free tools like PhotoRec provide extensive capabilities, they might lack the user-friendly interface or support that paid options offer.
In our experience, Disk Drill stands out as a particularly effective tool. We have extensively tested and used Disk Drill across various recovery scenarios, and it has consistently performed well. Its ability to be used on both Windows and Mac with a single license adds to its versatility and value. Furthermore, Disk Drill offers a free version that allows users to preview recoverable files before committing to a purchase, though it’s important to note that actual file recovery requires a paid license.

šŸ’ø Free Tools Highlight: For those looking for no-cost solutions, PhotoRec is a powerful free option that, despite a less user-friendly interface, offers extensive file recovery capabilities. Another notable free tool is TestDisk, designed to help recover lost partitions and make non-booting disks bootable again.

Following our discussion of third-party software, we’ll now guide you through using Disk Drill, a tool that has proven effective for retrieving lost data under a variety of circumstances. This detailed guide will walk you through the steps to effectively use Disk Drill to recover your deleted folders.

  1. Download Disk Drill for Mac: Visit the official Disk Drill websiteĀ and download the Disk Drill application for macOS.download and install disk drill
  2. Launch Disk Drill: Once the download is complete, open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install Disk Drill on your Mac. After installation, open Disk Drill from your Applications folder.launch disk drill
  3. Scan Your Hard Drive: Start Disk Drill and locate the drive or partition where the deleted folder was last seen. Select it, then click the ā€˜Search for lost dataā€™ button to initiate a comprehensive scan. Disk Drill will analyze the selected drive for any recoverable data.scan drive with disk drill
  4. Find Your Lost and Deleted Folders: After the scan completes, browse through the list of recoverable items. Use the preview feature to identify the exact folder you wish to recover. Once located, select all files within the folder and add them to your recovery queue by clicking the ā€˜Recoverā€™ button.Select folder for recover
  5. Specify Recovery Location: If you are using Disk Drill PRO, the software will prompt you to choose a recovery location. Select a recovery location on a different drive than the one youā€™re recovering data from to prevent potential overwriting. Once youā€™ve selected an appropriate location, click ā€˜OKā€™ to begin the recovery process.select recovery location

This process can take some time, depending on the size of the data and the speed of your Mac, let it run uninterrupted to maximize the chances of successful data recovery.

How to Prevent Future File and Folders Loss

After you address the challenges of recovering deleted folders, take steps to protect your data on a Mac. Here are several strategies to enhance data security:

  • Regular Backups with Time Machine: Configure Time Machine to perform automatic backups to an external drive. This setup enables straightforward restoration of your files and folders if necessary.
  • Cloud Storage Solutions: Use cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive to keep backups of important files. These services not only safeguard against local data losses but also provide access to your data from any location.
  • Using Disk Management Tools: Keep track of your disk space and health with tools designed to notify you of potential problems before they result in data loss.
  • Verify Before Deleting: Always double-check to confirm that you are deleting the intended files or folders. This simple precaution can prevent the loss of important data and the subsequent need for recovery efforts.

Implement these strategies to markedly decrease the likelihood of data loss and maintain the security and recoverability of your data in various situations:

FAQ

On a Mac, the Trash Bin, typically referred to as the Trash, is not a physical location but a feature within macOS that aggregates deleted files. Each storage device connected to the Mac, including internal and external drives, has a hidden .Trashes folder where deleted files are stored. The Trash Bin icon in the Dock is a graphical interface that displays all these deleted files from all connected devices, making it easier for users to restore or permanently remove them.
Yes, there are still ways to recover your folder even after the Trash Bin has been emptied. You can use Time Machine if you had it set up to backup your Mac before you emptied the Trash. If no backup is available, you might consider using third-party data recovery software like Disk Drill, which can scan your drive for recoverable data.
If the folder isnā€™t in the Trash Bin, it could have been deleted some time ago or the Trash might have been emptied. In this case, you can check if you have a backup available in Time Machine or another backup solution. If no backups are available, third-party recovery tools may be your next best option to attempt to recover the folder.
The process for recovering a folder from an external hard drive is similar to recovering one from the internal drive of your Mac. First, check if the folder is still in the Trash Bin, as deleted items from external drives often end up there. If itā€™s not there, use Time Machine if the drive was included in your backups. If not, third-party data recovery software like Disk Drill can be used to attempt to recover the deleted folder from the external drive.

Conclusion

Restoring a deleted folder on a Mac is possible through the methods and tools detailed in this guide. Understand the processes for both recovery and prevention to protect your data against future losses and avoid the need for recovery. Perform regular backups and handle deletions carefully to maintain your dataā€™s integrity and ensure its availability.

Oleksandr Lukashyn
Oleksandr Lukashyn is a QA specialist at InsanelyMac, ensuring technical accuracy across content for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. He recently began writing articles himself, drawing on his expertise to explain complex topics. Team members rely on him for clear explanations and solutions to technical problems.
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