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  • Recovers data from all MacOS systems.
  • Supports data recovery from 500+ data loss scenarios, including crashed Mac, Mac disks, accidental deletion/formation, etc.
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What's the Best Data Recovery Software for Mac?

Discover which is the best data/file recovery software for Mac. Explore the Mac data recovery difficulties, leading technology and research data about Mac data recovery. Learn how to recover deleted/lost files from Mac.
Classen Becker
Classen Becker Originally published Nov 13, 24, updated Dec 16, 24
"I recently ran into a problem while transferring files from my SD card to an external hard drive on Mac - I ended up losing some video files. I’m still not sure how it happened, but now I need to find the best file recovery software for mac to recover these deleted videos." - Apple Support Community

Losing important data on Mac can cause a lot of stress for the reason that recovering lost/deleted data on Mac may be very difficult and complex. Mac data recovery is much more difficult and complicated than Windows data recovery.

MacOS lacks built-in data recovery tools, and most times third-party Mac data recovery software solutions are not truly compatible with Mac operating systems, APFS file systems or M1/M2/M3/M4/intel/T2 chips. Much third-party data recovery software is mediocre or just crashes on Mac during data recovery process.

An online search can immediately display many Mac data recovery software tools. However, what it doesn't reveal is which one is completely compatible with Mac systems and Mac APFS. And people also want to know which is the best file recovery software for Mac and truly helps to recover data from Mac.

best mac data recovery software
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In this article, we will explore the necessary criteria for qualified Mac deleted/lost file recovery software, conduct a series of tests and find out which one is the best Mac data recovery software. We will test top popular Mac data recovery software tools, analyze their key features, performances and compatibilities during mac data recovery Mac data recovery. 

In this article
    1. Mac Chips/Systems Compatibility
    2. Details of Compatibility Test
    1. File Display Speed Under APFS File System
    2. Scan Speed Under APFS File System
    3. Scan Quality Under APFS File System
    1. Recoverit Usability and Recover Deleted Files from Mac Using Recoverit
    2. Customer Support of Recoverit
    3. G2/Trustpilot Reviews of Recoverit
mac data recovery

Part 1: Criteria for Selecting Best Mac Data Recovery Software

To determine which one is the best leading mac data recovery Mac file recovery program in 2024, the fundamental criteria should focus on functions, compatibilities with Mac, performances and usability.

criteria for best mac recovery software

We've developed a rigorous methodology that evaluates Mac data recovery tools based on the fundamental criteria and related key factors. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of our selection criteria:

Criteria

Description

⚙️Functions

Functions should be profound and cover all Mac data recovery needs. Key factors evaluated are:

  • HD/4K/8K video fragments match/recovery
  • Supported recovery formats/devices
  • Data recovery to cloud
  • Photo/Video/Documents recovery & repair

🚫Compatibility

  • Compatibility with Mac file systems (APFS etc.)
  • Compatibility with macOS
  • Compatibility with Mac chips (M1~M4/T2 etc.)

🚀Performance

Recovery process should be efficient. Key factors evaluated are:

  • Memory used for installation/scanning
  • Installation/Launch speed on Mac
  • Scan/Display speed on APFS system
  • Scan speed under FAT32/EXFAT system
  • Recovery success rate

💻Usability

  • Software usability should be intuitive and user-friendly.
  • Customer support should be reliable anytime for 7x24.
  • G2 G2 / trustpilot Trustpilot reviews should be high.

Part 2: Function Comparison of Mac Data Recovery Software

To find out which one is the best file recovery software for Mac, it's essential to compare top popular recovery tools in the market. In this section, we'll conduct a detailed, fact-based and profound function comparison between the following top popular recovery tools: Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac, Tenorshare, EaseUS and Disk Drill.

Let's compare the functions of these Mac data recovery software in the nutshell below:

Functions

Recoverit

EaseUS

Disk Drill

Tenorshare

📟 Supported File Formats

1000+

1000+

400+ 600+

🧱 Supported Devices

2000+

2000+

2000+

2000+

🔍 Preview Before Recovery

💽 Disk Image Recovery

💻 Crashed Mac Recovery

×

🧮 Multiple Scan Modes

📹 Video Fragments Match

×

×

×

🎞️ Corrupted Photo/Video Repair

×

×

×

👨‍💻 Recovery to Google Drive

×

🖥️ Recover Mac with M4 × × ×

The following is a detailed comparison overview of key functions of each Mac data recovery tool:

features comparison of mac data recovery software

When it comes to function comparison, Recoverit outperforms EaseUS, Disk Drill and Tenorshare in various recovery scenarios. This means that whether you’re trying to recover crashed Mac, video fragmentsmac video recovery, very large documents, corrupted filesmac photo recovery, Mac with M4 chip or any other type of files, Recoverit tends to deliver excellent results.

recover data on mac with m4 chip

One of the key reasons for Recoverit superior performance is its advanced algorithms. These algorithms are designed to thoroughly scan your Mac and locate lost or deleted files more effectively. Additionally, Recoverit possesses 35+ patents in the field of data recovery and offers specialized recovery options tailored to different file types.

With a success recovery rate of 99.5%, Recoverit can completely recover all deleted files, videos, even raw photos, other 1000+ file formats from 2000+ storage devices, including Macintosh HD, HDDs/SSDs, external devices, crashed Mac, NAS server & Linux PC etc. Corrupted video/photo repair are also supported.

Related Video >>: How to Recover Data From Crashed Mac?

recover data from crashed mac

Recent Videos from Recoverit

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Part 3: Compatibility Analysis with MacOS Systems and Encrypted Chips

Compatibility is another critical factor in selecting the best data recovery software for Mac. Most times third-party Mac data recovery software is not totally compatible with macOS operating systems, APFS file systems or M1~M4 encrypted chips. Much third-party Mac data recovery software crashes on Mac during data recovery process. Users need a data recovery tool that runs on Mac smoothly, stably and compatibly.

Let's compare and analyze the compatibilities of top popular Mac data recovery tools across the following key metrics:

Metrics Key Factors

⏏️ Compatibility with Mac Systems

  • MacOS Sytems Support Level
  • Compatibility with macOS 10.10~15.0 / APFS
  • Compatibility with Mac SIP
  • Mac External Disk Access
  • Time Machine Compatibilty
🔨 Compatibility with Mac Hardware / Chips
  • ARM/Intel/PowerPC Chips Compatibility

3.1 Compatibility with Mac Systems/Chips

When it comes to data recovery on Mac, having a software tool that seamlessly integrates with Mac operating systems & Mac chips is crucial. This ensures that no matter which version of macOS you are using, it will work efficiently to recover all your lost files from Mac. We will take a deep look at how these data recovery tools behaves in this aspect of compatibility with Mac systems and Mac chips.

Here's a comprehensive comparison between these top popular Mac data recovery software:

Compatibility

Recoverit

DiskDrill

EaseUS

Tenorshare

Mac Operating Systems

Supports macOS 10.10 to 15.0 Sequoia

Supports macOS 10.10 to 15.0 Sequoia

macOS 10.10.5 & 10.11.2 are not supported

Limited lower macOS versions supported

SIP Compatibility

×

×

External Disks Access

Time Machine Compatibility

×

Mac Encrypted Chips

Intel, T2, M1/M2/M3/M4

Intel, T2, M1, M2, M3(limited deep scan)

Intel, T2, M1, M2, M3

Limited support for T2 and M1~M3

The table above summarizes the compatibility performances of Recoverit, DiskDrill, EaseUS, and Tenorshare, showing that Recoverit offers the most comprehensive support for various Mac systems, Mac M1~M4/T2 chips, even SIP and Mac Time Machine.

Mac's SIP (System Integrity Protection), which is a security technology designed to help prevent potentially malicious software from modifying protected files and folders on your Mac.

SIP compatibility ensures that your system's integrity is maintained even while performing complex data recovery tasks. From the data above, we can see Recoverit ensures that your system remains secure and protected when recovering your lost files from Mac. These features make Recoverit one of the best Mac data recovery tool. Recoverit is also capable of recovering data from Time Machine backups, providing a comprehensive recovery solution.

m3 mac data recovery free

3.2 Details of Compatibility Test

We conducted a series of thorough tests to see how these tools scan modes behave in compatibility with different macOS systems and chips. The following table shows the data collected in the tests. Let's have a closer look!

Testing Environments Recoverit Disk Drill EaseUS Tenorshare
macOS Chips Quick Scan Deep Scan Quick Scan Deep Scan Quick Scan Deep Scan Quick Scan Deep Scan
15Beta M3 ×
14.3.1 M1 ×
14.1 T2 ×
13.6.7 intel
12.3 M1 ×
10.13.4 intel
10.11.2 intel × × × ×
10.10.5 intel × × × ×

Through the tests above, we can easily find out that Recoverit and Disk Drill basically support all Mac system versions from macOS 10.10 to macOS 15Beta, as well as the full range of Intel/M1/M2/M3/T2 chips.

What's more, Recoverit quick scan and deep scan are perfectly supported in all Mac environments. Disk Drill Mac system compatibility is equivalent is Recoverit, but Disk Drill deep scan for Mac with latest M4 chips cannot display files for sometimes. In this test, Recoverit ranks as No.1, making it the most reliable choice for users with different Mac operating systems.

EaseUS cannot support recovering data from Mac with some Intel series chips, and EaseUS does not support macOS systems lower than macOS 10.12. Tenorshare deep scan does not support recovering data from Mac with M-series & T2 chips, and also does not support macOS systems lower than macOS 10.12.

Part 4: Performance Comparison of Data Recovery Software for Mac

Performance is also a key factor in determining the best data recovery software for Mac. Users need a tool that recover data from Mac in a fast and effective way. Let's compare the performance of these top popular Mac recovery tools across the following metrics:

Performance Metric

Recoverit

EaseUS

Disk Drill

Tenorshare

Memory Usage During Installation 97.5MB > 97.5MB > 97.5MB > 97.5MB
Memory Usage During Scanning 1.05GB 1.72GB 1.89GB /
Startup Speed on Mac 2.83s 6.3s 14.5s /
Installation Speed on Mac 3.5s 5s 10s 5s
File Display Speed Under APFS (avarage) 2s 15s 13s 15s
Scan Speed Under APFS (average) In general, average 40min Corruption happens In general, average 59.76min /
Scan Quality Under APFS 90% 85% 88% 84%
Files Recovery Speed (6GB) 74s 78s 82s  /
FAT32/EXFAT Scan Speed (average) 7.48min 5.88min 12.37min 6min
Recovery to Google Drive Cloud × ×
Success Recovery Rate Mac 99.5% / 99% /

According to overall Mac data recovery performance data above, Recoverit outshines EaseUS, Disk Drill and Tenorshare in startup speed, file display speed, scan speed and scan quality.

recover data from mac apfs file system

The following are details of tests for key performance factors, including file dispay speed under APFS system, scan speed under APFS file system, scan quality under APFS system and so on.

4.1 File Display Speed Under APFS File System

We conducted a series of tests to see how these tools behave in the files display speed on APFS (the shorter time spent, the better). The table below shows the file display speed (unit: second) of these recovery software under different testing environment on APFS.

files display speed on apfs

We can see that Recoverit shows the most significant efficiency in file display speed on Mac by only using 2 seconds in most testing scenarios.

4.2 Scan Speed Under APFS File System

The scan speed under APFS file system is the speed for searching and finding your lost files. The table below shows the scan speed (unit: second) of these Mac recovery software under different testing environment on APFS (the shorter time spent, the better). 

best mac recovery software tool

We can see that Recoverit behaves as the best in file scan speed on Mac APFS in most testing scenarios.

4.3 Scan Quality Under APFS File System

The scan quality reflects accuracy of files detected and recovered.

Testing Environment Recoverit Disk Drill EaseUS Tenorshare
macOS Architecture Quick Scan Deep Scan Quick Scan Deep Scan Quick Scan Deep Scan Quick Scan Deep Scan
15Beta M3 Generally good Great Generally good Not good Generally good Not good Generally good Not good
14.3.1 M1 Generally good Great Generally good Not good Generally good Not good Generally good Not good
14.1 intel Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good
13.6.7 intel Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good

Not good

Generally good

Generally good

12.3 M1 Generally good Great Generally good Not good Generally good

Not good

Generally good

Not good

11.6.6 intel Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good Generally good Not good Generally good Not good

From the table above, we can see that Recoverit's scan quality is the best and its deep scan delivers great quality when recovering data from M1~M3 Macs.

Recoverit works efficiently with the macOS file system, ensuring high-quality and reliable Mac data recovery. Whether you're dealing with the latest APFS file system, the widely used FAT32/exFAT file systems or other file systems, Recoverit delivers exceptional performance. From the detailed test data of function, performance and compatibility above, we can easily see that Recoverit outperforms its competitors and is the best Mac data recovery tool. In the following section, we will explore Recoverit usability and how to recover Mac data using Recoverit.

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Part 5: Recoverit Usability And Use Recoverit to Recover Mac Data

A superior product experience is essential for user satisfaction and loyalty. When users find a product easy to use and receive excellent support, it greatly enhances their overall experience.

Recoverit focuses on user-friendly design and flexible customer support ensures that users can recover their data efficiently and with confidence.

5.1 Recoverit Usability and Recover Deleted Files from Mac Using Recoverit

Recoverit excels in this area of having a user-friendly interface by offering a streamlined process that uses only three simple steps to recover data from Mac.

For example, here's how you can recover deleted files from Mac using Recoverit:

  1. Select a location to start recovery.
    select a location to retrieve data on Mac
  2. Recoverit automatically starts the scan for lost/deleted data.
    start scanning to recover mac files
  3. Preview the files which Recoverit has found to check if that's what you're looking for. When ready, select the files you want to save and hit Recover.
    recover deleted files on mac

This intuitive process ensures that even users with minimal technical knowledge can effectively recover deleted/lost files on Mac without any hassle. The clear and straightforward design of Recoverit makes it accessible for everyone, ensuring a smooth and efficient recovery experience.

Related Video >>: How to Recover Data From Emptied Trash on Mac?

recover files from emptied trash on mac

Recent Videos from Recoverit

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Learn more >>:

How To Recover Files from Mac That Won't Boot?

Quick Ways to Restore Mac to Previous Date

How To Recover Data From External Hard Drive on Mac?

How to Recover Deleted Partition on Mac?

Which is the Best SD Card Data Recovery Software in 2024?

5.2 Customer Support of Recoverit

Excellent customer support is crucial for a positive user experience. Recoverit provides reliable 24x7 customer support options to assist users with their data recovery needs. Whether you prefer live chat, email, or phone support, Recoverit's team is always available to help you resolve any issues or answer any questions.

This comprehensive support system ensures that users can get the assistance they need promptly and efficiently, enhancing their overall experience with the product.

With Recoverit's dedicated support, users can feel confident that help is always available whenever they need it.

5.3 G2/Trustpilot Reviews of Recoverit

Recoverit has received high ratings on both G2 G2 and trustpilot Trustpilot, reflecting the trust and satisfaction of its users. Recoverit has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with a significant majority of users giving it a 5-star rating.

mac data recovery expert recoverit

Recoverit was selected as the Leader in File Recovery Software by G2, which proves that Recoverit is one of the best and reliable data recovery tools.

leader in file recovery software mac by g2

Here are some user reviews highlighting the trust and satisfaction customers have with Recoverit from trust platforms like G2 and Trustpilot.

  • MH Matts H. (Small-Business): Lifesaver! This software saved my life. A NAS with syncing enabled erased all my files on AWS S3. I was able to recover 99.9 percent of the files using this software.
best data recovery software for mac

  • Brittany Charnley (United States): I accidentally formatted my hard disk, losing all my work files and photos. This program's deep scan quickly retrieved my data. It's very convenient.
recoverit mac files recovery review

These reviews reflect the wonderful experiences users have had with Recoverit, showing its reliability, professionalism and effectiveness in Mac data/files recovery.

Conclusion

In summary, after series of strict tests, we can see that Recoverit is the best data recovery software for Mac users. With its user-friendly interface and streamlined three-step recovery process, even those with minimal technical knowledge can easily retrieve lost files.

Recoverit's advanced features, such as high-speed scanning, comprehensive file system support, and enhanced recovery options, ensure that users can recover Mac data quickly and effectively. Additionally, Recoverit's compatibility with various Mac hardware and its ability to repair corrupted files make it a versatile and reliable choice for data recovery.

Whether you're dealing with accidental deletions/formation, system crashes, power surge or complex data loss scenarios, Recoverit provides a robust solution to retrieve all your valuable files from Mac.

Wondershare Recoverit – Leader in Mac Data Recovery
  • Recovers data from 1000+ file formats and 2000+ devices, including CFexpress, SD, micro SD, HDDs, SSDs, Win/Mac, Linux/NAS etc.
  • Handles 500+ data loss scenarios, such as deletion, formatting, CF card damage, virus attacks, etc.
  • Recovers lost or deleted files, photos, videos, music, emails, and other 1000+ file types effectively, safely and completely.
  • Recovers full HD, Ultra HD, 4K, and 8K videos without corruption.
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FAQs

  • Can a hard drive be recovered after formatting on Mac?
    Yes, recovering lost data from a formatted hard drive on Mac is possible under the right circumstances. If you've used the quick format option and you haven't overwritten formatted files with new data, you should be able to get back lost files with a good data recovery tool.
  • How do I recover files from my external hard drive after formatting on Mac?
    Recovering data from a formatted external hard drive on Mac is a simple 5-step process:
    1. Connect the formatted external hard drive to your Mac.
    2. Download, install, and launch Wondershare Recoverit for Mac.
    3. Choose the formatted external device to start a scan.
    4. Preview the files that can be recovered.
    5. Select the files you want to retrieve and click Recover.
  • How do I recover permanently deleted files from my Mac hard drive?
    When you permanently delete files from a Mac hard drive, there are two ways you can recover them – using Mac's built-in backup feature Time Machine or with data recovery software like Wondershare Recoverit.
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Classen Becker
Classen Becker Dec 16, 24
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