How to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac? How to Restore Deleted Files?

Recovering Emptied Trash on Your Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

Accidentally deleted important files after emptying your Mac's Trash? Don't panic! This guide outlines several methods to recover those lost files, both with and without software.

Can I Recover Emptied Trash on a Mac?

Yes! While emptying the Trash seems permanent, your files aren't immediately erased. They remain on your hard drive until overwritten. This window of opportunity allows for recovery.

Recovery Methods Without Software

Several built-in Mac features can help:

• iCloud: If iCloud is enabled and you've backed up your files, you can restore them. Navigate to Account icon > iCloud Settings > Data Recovery > Restore Files. Select the files you need and click Restore Files.

• Time Machine: If you use Time Machine backups, you can browse your backups to find and restore the deleted files. Connect your backup drive, open Time Machine (clock icon in the menu bar), browse your backups, select the files, and click Restore.

• Manual Trash Recovery: Files deleted within the last 30 days might still reside in the Trash. Open the Trash, right-click the desired files, and select Put Back.

Recovery with Software (Disk Drill)

For files beyond the 30-day window or those not backed up, data recovery software like Disk Drill is your best bet.

1. Launch Disk Drill, select the drive containing the lost files, and click Search for lost data.
2. Choose the files to recover, click Recover, select a new storage location (avoid the original), and click Next.

Disk Drill recovers various file types, including photos, documents, and files lost due to formatting or from external media. A free version is available with limitations.

Professional Data Recovery

If all else fails, consider contacting data recovery professionals. They possess specialized tools and expertise for complex recovery scenarios.

Data Recovery Software Comparison

Name	Price (Full Version)	macOS Compatibility	Pros	Cons
Disk Drill		OS X 10.13 or later	User-friendly, one-click scanning	Limited free version features
R-Studio for Mac	.99	OS X 10.9 or later	Effective for damaged file systems	No Android/iPhone support
Data Rescue 6		OS X 10.12 or later (Intel)	Time Machine compatible, user-friendly	Limited free version functionality
DM Disk Editor & Recovery		OS X 10.5 or later	Supports multiple formats, some free features	Not user-friendly, prone to freezing
Cisdem Data Recovery	.95	OS X 10.11 or later	Easy to use	May struggle with disks containing bad sectors

Preventing Accidental Trash Emptying

Remember, Mac automatically empties the Trash after 30 days. Avoid using the Trash as temporary storage to minimize accidental data loss. Tools like MacKeeper's Safe Cleanup can help manage unwanted files safely.

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