The 12 Best Free Data Recovery Software for Mac in 2024

Now that Apple computers have a lot of users, what are the advantages of it? Is it convenient to use the Mac OS system? Here are some of the benefits of Mac sorted out for everyone; let's take a look!

• 🎓 Intelligent: Mac notebook/desktop comes with dedicated remote control. If users want to watch movies, play music or pictures, etc., they can use the infrared remote control receiver to control them remotely.
• 👸 macOS is stable and beautiful: Based on the principle of simplicity first, it realizes a near-perfect concept, which is easy to operate and has high system stability and security.
• 🎨 High Color Contrast: Mac's screen is rich in color and layers, can change from darker black to brighter white, and the color space conversion is sensitive.

In addition, Apple's specially designed motion sensor, when the Mac computer is accidentally dropped or changed in position, the hard disk head will be retracted to protect the data in the hard disk from damage. Although, it can protect the security of our data to a great extent. However, many unexpected situations still lead to the loss of our files saved on Mac. If you have not backed them up, then you need the help of recovery software for Mac to get back your lost files.

There are many Mac data recovery software for free and paid on the market. How can we choose the best one? Without a doubt, if the freeware can still help us recover lost files from Mac, then it should be our first choice. Next, we help you choose the best one from other dimensions.

Quick Navigation

Part 1. What is File Recovery Software for macOS, and How to Choose the Best One?

Part 2. 12 Best Free Data Recovery software for Mac

Part 3. Comparison of the Free Mac Data Recovery Software

Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions for Free File Recovery on Mac

Part 1. What is Recovery Software for Mac, and How to Choose the Best One?

How does It work?

Many reasons like accidentally deleted, formatted drive, virus/malware attack, etc., will remove the stored data from your Mac. Once any files get deleted, they get fragmented into small parts and hidden. With the deterministic & heuristic algorithms, the data retrieval app for macOS will thoroughly scan the entire sectors of the drive to find these shattered files and restructures them. When the process is complete, the missing files will show up again, allowing us to save them.

Once you know the principles of extracting data, it's time to select the most appropriate and efficient free Mac data recovery software to get back files from your Mac disks or other storage devices to your satisfaction and complete satisfaction. So, instead of going for any random recovery tools, consider the below criteria to select the best-suited free recovery software for Mac.

Option to opt for best macOS Recovery Freeware

• 📈 It must have excellent file recovery capabilities and support as many data loss scenarios as possible.
• 💪 It must be compatible with the maximum internal & external data storage device & all file systems like APFS, exFat, NTFS, FAT32, etc.
• ⛱️ It must be capable of retrieving lost encrypted data from encrypted files that you have probably made to ensure the security of your files.
• 👑 It must support maximum file types like documents, videos, emails, etc., & provide a preview option to customize your data recovery process.
• ☘️ It must have a free version to try with and consistent updates & dedicated support service to make macOS file recovery convenient & advanced.

Part 2. 12 Best Free Data Recovery software for Mac

In the following, we'll introduce you to 12 Mac file recovery freeware and highlight each tool's main features, advantages, and disadvantages.

1. iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac

iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac The latest version is the most promising technology for file recovery and data repair. It not only lets you restore 1000+ file types from 2000 devices, no matter in which situation is lost but also fixes the data corruption after file deletion by collecting, matching the data fragments, and improving the problematic part. As an accessible data recovery tool for Mac, it lets you scan and preview files on Mac for free and find up to 500MB files for free.

Advantages

It can deeply scan the RAW data and display the results according to the original path and file type.

Retrieve various file types (1000+) from Mac internal and external hard drives, including videos, pictures, documents, and more.

Repair corrupted videos and images.

It can restore files from various corruptions. Whether a simple virus attack or complex partition destruction, the best free Mac data recovery software can retrieve files efficiently.

Excellent file recovery rate

Disadvantages

Slow data scanning process.

It can't create a bootable image.

2. TestDisk for Mac

TestDisk for Mac is complete accessible data recovery software for Mac. It's open-source freeware for file recovery on Mac. It is developed mainly on recovering lost partitions and fixing boot issues. Recovering deleted files is not the main feature but an extra feature. However, that's the exciting part. It's now a famous comprehensive free data recovery tool running on multiple platforms, including macOS, Windows, and Linux. TestDisk is like an experienced doctor who can solve most problems related to computer hard drives.

Advantages

This software is beneficial and accurate if you want to get essential documents back from damaged volumes.

Can repair volume table and restore deleted volumes.

Disadvantages

The command-line interface makes it quite hard for individuals or less experienced users to use. This could be the biggest drawback.

Cannot preview found files

3. Disk Drill Mac

It is a famous data recovery software brand. For some people, it is free data recovery software for Mac since it allows users to scan recoverable files for free. That's it! Unlike the Windows version, which offers 500MB file recovery for free, the Mac version doesn't provide that feature. It can search for lost data more comprehensively, retrieve it while scanning without waiting for the entire scanning process to be completed, and the [Filter] function it brings can quickly find the files you need. You can also preview the completeness of the inspection content in advance sex.

Advantages

A comprehensive tool not only recovering files from Mac internal hard drives but also a tool running on Mac to resume files both from Android phones and iPhones.

Scan Time Machine backup files

Supports multiple file types

Contain other features, like disk cleanup, data eraser, duplicate file finder, etc.

Disadvantages

Interface and features are complicated for individuals to use.

For full functionality of the software, you must upgrade to the full version.

Only free to preview files, not able to recover deleted files on Mac for free.

4. PhotoRec for Mac

It is not just a photo recovery tool (don't be fooled by its name). You can recover nearly 500 different file formats from hard disk or removable media. It was developed with the same developers who created TestDisk for Mac. What's the difference between the two tools? TestDisk recovers files by locating and extracting data from the file system's database, while PhotoRec uses every data block to find the target files.

Advantages

Utterly free data recovery software for Mac

Efficient when recovering photos and documents

More potent than TestDisk for Mac for file types support

Disadvantages

The command-line interface also is the biggest problem for individuals to use. It’s professional for people who know computer techniques.

It is below average regarding retrieving music and video files.

5. Safe365 Mac Free Any Data Recovery

With the Mac Free Any Data Recovery, you can retrieve files from external or internal data storage disks on Mac. From your mobile captured photos to music files, anything can be recovered for free.

Advantages

User-friendly & clean interface with three steps data recovery process.

Double scanning option with quick & deep scan option.

Best for beginners.

Disadvantages

The paid version is comparatively expensive.

It can't retrieve data from a damaged computer.

6. Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac

It allows you to recover deleted data on your Mac PC from 1000+ file types and 500+ data delete situations. Anything can be retrieved from this software from the encrypted APFC file system to any other file format. However, the program won't help in the event of a mechanical failure of the disk drive.

Advantages

You can handle anything with partition formatting/hard drive corruption/system crushes via this freeware.

Time Machine backup/virus attack recovery is easily possible.

Multiple language support.

Disadvantages

It may not recover overwritten data.

Free & paid features availability is not cleared to users.

7. M3 Free Data Recovery for Mac

It can recover different file types from multiple storage devices on Mac, including Mac internal and external hard drives. The free unformat or undelete app also solves file recovery problems when the Mac won't boot. That is a feature less free file recovery software for Mac can do it.

Advantages

Recover data up to 1GB from Mac for totally free.

Fully compatible with Apple T2 and M1 Mac

The free Mac data recovery software is below average regarding retrieving music and video files.

Disadvantages

The recovered files are not correctly managed and scattered.

Some file types cannot be previewed.

8. Stellar Mac Data Recovery

It is a widely used tool and has been available for a long time. Like iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, it comes with a simple interface that makes it quite simple and easy for individuals to recover deleted files from Mac. It's fully compatible with Mac equipped with M1 & T2 chip.

Advantages

Recover up to 1GB of files for free.

Restore files from Fusion drive and Time Machine external device

It supports popular file systems such as FAT12/16/32, NTFS, NTFS5, exFAT, and APFS with compression and encryption capabilities.

Disadvantages

There are some problems while previewing files before recovery.

The price is relatively high for file recovery on Mac.

There are so many versions available, quite challenging for individuals to choose from.

9. Data Rescue for Mac

It is more than a free data recovery for Mac. It's a comprehensive tool with features for recovering files from a hard drive, cloning the failing drive,s and creating a recovery drive when your primary purpose is corrupted.

Advantages

Features like RAID and block diagnostics make this tool worth a try.

Two scan modes are available.

Clone failing drives to prevent data loss.

More than a file retrieval software tool for Mac, but with extra features.

Disadvantages

The free trial version only allows to scan and preview files on Mac for free. As for data recovery on Mac, you need to subscribe to the plans.

You’d never know how much you will spend on data recovery since it depends on how many files you recover with the Mac data recovery software. You need to contact support to learn the price and upgrade inquiries.

10. Exif Untrasher

It is a free file recovery software tool for Mac. It is developed by an individual and used as a tool to recover JPEG images from storage devices and disk images. From its main window, you can see it is straightforward to recover files, just selecting the data source and destination folder, and pressing "Start data recovery".

Advantages

The most straightforward free data recovery software for Mac to recover JPEG images.

Disadvantages

Only recovers JPEG images.

11. UFS Explorer

It comes with an interface like Windows Explorer. Though it looks awkward, the Mac version works well. It allows users to use the trial version to scan and recover a file less than 256KB. It helps users recover deleted, formatted files from disks or partitions, even if the boot sector has been wiped or damaged.

Advantages

Support various file systems and storage devices.

It is updated regularly with the latest data recovery technology.

Preview files before data recovery

Disadvantages

Not complete free data recovery for Mac. it has file size limitations for the trial version.

The price is very high since it’s a commercial tool.

12. Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery

It enables users to files from HFS/HFS+, FAT, FAT32, NTFS, EXFAT (new), and other file systems and supports multiple file storage devices, including iPod. It recovers deleted videos, photos, music, documents, applications, and more from Mac and devices on macOS.

Advantages

Complete free data recovery software for Mac.

Simple and easy to use.

Disadvantages

No preview before data recovery means the file you recovered might not be the one you needed.

Part 3. Comparison of the Free Mac Data Recovery Software

Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions for Free File Recovery on Mac

1. Main Scenarios for Losing Data on Mac

Data loss is a common problem for Mac hard drives, which makes it very necessary to take measures to protect data. However, no matter what methods you have applied to protect data from loss, you can't avoid data loss issues. In this case, learning how to rescue data efficiently when an incident happens is very important.

• ❌ Accidental deleting: Deletion is one of the main reasons for data loss, such as Command + Del to remove files or emptying the trash can.
• 💽 Hard drive failure: There can be several reasons for a hard drive failure in Mac, such as sudden power failure, firmware defect, and hard drive not being recognizable and unmountable.
• 😞 Physical damage: Although physical damage is rare, any physical damage to your Mac can result in data loss.
• ☠️ Corrupted volume: Partition corruption is also one of the widespread errors. Crime always occurs when creating or deleting partitions. Once a division is damaged, the partition table is affected, causing the data stored on that partition to disappear.
• ⛔ Formatting: When a user accidentally formats a disk, the data stored on that disk will be erased, resulting in data loss.
2. Does Apple have file recovery software?

Apple provides many powerful built-in applications but no file retrieval tools. But don't worry, if you lose important files on Mac, firstly, you can check Trash, Time Machine, and iCloud. If there is no target file, you can use iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac to help you recover your lost files.

3. What is the best free data recovery software for Mac?

It's hard to tell which is the best free Mac data recovery software since the tools mentioned above,

1. iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac
2. TestDisk for Mac
3. Disk Drill for Mac
4. PhotoRec for Mac
5. Safe365 Mac Free Any Data Recovery
6. Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac
7. .....

All can get back files from Mac internal and external hard drives for free. The one that helps you recover can be the best free data recovery software for Mac.

4. How can I recover data from my Mac for free?

You can recover data from Mac for free with free data recovery for Mac tools. The process for each instrument to recover data is similar. Take iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac as an example of how to retrieve permanently deleted files on Mac for free.

1. Download and install iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac.
2. Launch the software and select the file types you want to recover from Mac. Click "Start".
3. In the hard drive list, select the hard drive from where you have lost files and click "Scan".
4. Wait for the scanning process to finish. Afterward, go to the directory and select recoverable files to preview.
5. Select needed files and click "Recover" to save them to a new folder on your Mac, not saving them to the original folder.
5. Is Disk Drill free for Mac?

Disk Drill is free to download and install on Mac and lets you recover up to 500MB files for free. However, it is not a completely free Mac data recovery software. To find more files and try more features, you need to update the free trial version to a full version by spending some bucks.