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Free Image Format ConversionIf you've lost data on your Mac and are looking for ways to recover it, worry not. This article will delve into a comprehensive comparison of the top 5 free and open-source data recovery software for Mac that you can use to safely restore lost or deleted files.
Open-source data recovery tools aren't as easy to use as something like the Mac Data Recovery Wizard, so if you have no experience with data recovery, we'd still recommend starting with a tool like tools Data Recovery Wizard Free.
1. TestDisk for Mac
TestDisk is a free and open-source data recovery tool that works on macOS and various other operating systems. While TestDisk primarily operates through a command-line interface, it also includes a companion tool called PhotoRec, which features a user interface for performing data recovery on macOS.
On the other hand, TestDisk is more suitable for advanced users or those who need to perform data recovery without a graphical user interface. Here are some of the main features of TestDisk for Mac:
- This software specializes in data recovery from various storage devices, such as hard drive recovery, SSD, USB drives, SD card recovery, and more.
- It aids in recovering formatted hard drives on Mac, retrieving lost or deleted files and folders from formatted storage media.
- It excels in restoring lost or deleted disk partitions, effectively reconstructing damaged or overwritten partition tables, allowing users to regain access to their lost data.
- It is compatible with multiple file systems, including NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, HFS+, APFS, as well as the ext family (ext2, ext3, ext4), and others.
This extensive compatibility allows for data recovery across various file system formats. To make the data recovery process user-friendly, we've provided a reliable video guide for your reference:
Compared to the Mac version of Data Recovery Wizard, TestDisk for Mac has a steeper learning curve. Data Recovery Wizard for Mac offers a user-tailored experience optimized for ease of use. It empowers users to recover data without requiring specialized technical knowledge. For those seeking a guided approach to data recovery, it's a good option.
2. PhotoRec for Mac
PhotoRec is a renowned open-source data recovery tool that specializes in retrieving videos, documents, and archives from storage devices like hard drives and digital camera memory cards.
Its main advantage is that it works around the file system, allowing it to effectively recover data even in the case of a damaged or reformatted system. PhotoRec supports file systems and functionality on a variety of operating systems, including Mac OS X.
PhotoRec's command-line interface might be tricky for users not comfortable with using commands, and while it's great at recovering files based on their signatures, it doesn't restore filesystem details, which can result in lost filenames and paths.
While PhotoRec is a tool built for users comfortable with command lines, tools provides a more user-friendly and efficient data recovery experience for regular Mac users, including recovering files deleted permanently by Mac Terminal.
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3. R-Studio for Mac
R-Studio for Mac is a comprehensive data recovery solution designed specifically for macOS. It enables users to recover lost or deleted files from internal and external hard drives, USB drives, SSDs (solid-state drives), and RAID arrays, among other storage devices.
R-Studio for Mac employs advanced algorithms and techniques to scan storage devices and recover files that can be salvaged. It is capable of retrieving data lost due to deletion, formatting, partition loss, file system corruption, virus attacks, and other circumstances that lead to data loss.
The application supports various file systems, such as HFS/HFS+/APFS (Mac), FAT/FAT32/exFAT (Windows), and NTFS (Windows), ensuring data recovery from different file system formats. Download R-Studio from its official website at R-Studio.com and recover your deleted files.
But, if that doesn't help, consider using a utility to recover lost and deleted data.
4. DMDE – Disk Editor for Mac
DMDE (DM Disk Editor and Data Recovery) is a data recovery tool compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux. It offers disk editing, partition management, and data recovery from storage devices.
Here are the main features of DMDE Data Recovery:
- It can recover deleted partitions, including those that have been mistakenly formatted or damaged due to MBR issues.
- It can reconstruct the partition table and regain access to lost data, including creating, deleting, resizing, and formatting partitions.
- The tool allows users to perform in-depth disk editing, enabling them to observe and modify disk structures like partitions, file systems, and boot sectors.
DMDE can recover deleted or misplaced files from various storage devices, such as hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and RAID disk arrays. It supports multiple file systems, including NTFS, FAT, exFAT, HFS+, APFS, and the ext family. It features an inbuilt text data viewer that allows users to analyze and comprehend raw disk data or examine file contents at a lower level.
5. Scalpel Recovery for Mac
Scalpel is a command-line-based data recovery tool designed for macOS and various other operating systems. It is specifically tailored for file carving, which involves identifying and extracting file types by analyzing the data on storage devices. Scalpel is renowned for its precision and configurability.
The main advantage of this data recovery tool is its efficiency in identifying and retrieving deleted data; however, its downside is also evident – it requires operational experience and command-line knowledge, making it difficult for inexperienced users to locate the files they wish to recover.
If you have no experience with data recovery, consider using a Mac data recovery tool and follow the steps in the next section to quickly and safely retrieve your lost or deleted data!
Bonus Tip: How to Use Software to Recover Deleted/Lost Data from Mac?
tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac helps you retrieve lost data with just a few easy clicks. The sooner you use it, the higher the chance of successfully restoring your data. This powerful data recovery tool for Mac works seamlessly with Mac devices used as storage options and features a straightforward interface that guides users through the recovery process quickly after installation:
Step one: Search for the lost files.
Select the disk location where you want to search for lost files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or an external drive). Click on the “Search for Lost Files” button.
Note: Before data recovery, it's better to click “Disk Backup” from the left sidebar and create a backup of your HDD/SSD to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from your disk image, and then you can reuse the HDD or SSD.
Step 2: Check the scan results
The software will immediately scan the selected disk volume and display images, documents, audio, video, and email on the left.
Step 3: Select the files to be recovered
Click on the data to preview them and then hit the “Recover” button to get them back.
Conclusions
It's crucial to understand that data recovery can be a complex and delicate process. It's advisable to study the documentation and instructions provided with each tool and consider professional assistance when dealing with critical data recovery scenarios. We recommend downloading tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions About Open Source Mac Data Recovery Software
Here is more information about open-source data recovery software for the Mac.
1. Is there any free Mac data recovery software?
Yes, Mac users do have some tools at their disposal to recover lost files. Programs like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Free, Disk Drill, and PhotoRec offer free file recovery solutions. These utilities provide functionality and user-friendliness, serving as a starting point for those who wish to access their information without incurring any costs.
2. How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted Files for Free on My Mac?
If you want to recover permanently deleted files from your Mac for free, you can use tools like PhotoRec, TestDisk, or R-Studio. Additionally, if you had previously set up Time Machine backups on your Mac, you can utilize it to restore your files.
3. Does Mac Have Built-in Data Recovery?
Mac computers do have a built-in backup and restore feature called "Time Machine" that lets you back up your system and retrieve files from those backups. However, if you need to recover a file without a backup, there is no built-in tool on a Mac for this purpose.