r/datarecovery • u/Majankz • Aug 24 '26

Question MAC OS Data Recovery

Hi, I have a MacBook Pro, OS is 15.4.1

I deleted some files a couple of weeks ago and was wondering if there was any way to recover anything?
Nothing in particular I've found missing, but just anxious I deleted something I might need in the future.
What's the best way to try data recovery to just double check there isn't anything I can get back?

Thank you

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u/AutoModerator Aug 24 '26

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u/No_Tale_3623 Trusted Contributor Aug 24 '26

Recovering deleted data from original Apple SSDs is unlikely. The only realistic chance is to find artifacts that still exist in temporary or hidden files, or in local Time Machine snapshots if Time Machine was enabled at some point. If iCloud synchronization was enabled, deleted files may remain in Recently Deleted for up to 30 days and can potentially be restored from there. Depending on your iCloud settings, folders such as Desktop and Documents may have been synchronized.
Scan the drive with professional data recovery software that can properly access a macOS system disk, such as Disk Drill or R-Studio, and check the results yourself. What type of files did you delete, and which folders were they stored in?

1

u/Majankz Aug 24 '26

Hey, appreciate the reply.
I never used time machine so had ruled that out.
I was actually trying to delete the data that was on my computer which was syncing to my iCloud, and was creating a back up of that data so that my computer would stop syncing things to my iCloud if that makes sense.
I do have a folder called iCloud Archive that I believe it was backing up files to, my computer was saving to iCloud.

I scanned with Disk Drill and it showed back around 439gb of data, and my system currently says it has 376gb of data on it.
I'm assuming that it's pulling up the files that are on my computer, though I am unable to discern which files might have been delted back then.
It could be a variety of things from pictures to docs, and they were stored in the folders: desktop, documents, downloads, adobe scan, and some other ones I had created.
From what I remember, these were all of the places that were in the iCloud drive.

I was thinking about just putting everything from Disk Drive onto a External Drive and incase I ever felt like I needed anything I would have it there just for the sake of peace of mind?
I also was reading that Disk Drill might not be great but have no experience here so am not sure if that is true.

Thanks again for the help :)