Mac File and Data Recovery Software and Services
Options For Recovering Deleted or Damaged Files on a Mac Computer
Jul 25, 2009
Whether via accidental deletion or hard drive failure, losing data on a Mac is not an uncommon occurrence.
In the unfortunate case where a deleted file has not been backed up, there are two main methods for retrieving the lost file: Mac data recovery software or a data recovery service specializing in Mac systems.
Mac Data Recovery Software
Mac file recovery programs are designed to non-destructively search for specific deleted or damaged files on a hard drive. Once located, the data recovery software will retrieve the files and prompt the user to save them to a separate hard drive.
There are quite a few Mac file recovery programs available such as Prosoft Engineering’s Data Rescue II ($99 USD) and AppleXSoft’s File Recovery for Mac ($99.95 USD). While some of these companies offer free "trial" versions of their software, the free trials are often limited only to locating the deleted files. A full license will have to be purchased in order to retrieve and save the deleted files with the data recovery software.
Because most of these file recovery programs are non-destructive, most users will benefit from trying this approach before hiring a data recovery service.
FIle Recovery Services for Mac
If the files cannot be recovered by using Mac file recovery software, then the only other option is to hire a data recovery service with Macintosh specialists.
The process usually involves removing the hard drive containing the deleted files and sending it to be examined and recovered by Mac specialists. The drive is then sent back to the user along with the recovered files. CBL Data Recovery Technologies and Stellar Data Recovery are two such companies specializing in the process of Mac file recovery.
Although Mac data recovery services are significantly more expensive than using file recovery software, most reputable data recovery companies will not charge any fees in the rare and unfortunate case where the deleted files cannot be recovered.
How to Help Prevent Data Loss on Mac Computers
Considering that all hard drives eventually fail, the most effective way to prevent data loss on Mac computer systems is to routinely backup important files and data. The ideal situation is to have a reliable (and preferably automatic) daily backup system in place.
It is also very important to have multiple data backups in different physical locations to prevent against loss of data due to fire, flooding or theft. Remote online storage is a common solution. There are dozens of companies specializing in online data storage. For example, many Mac users take advantage of Apple’s MobileMe online service specifically for the included option of remote data storage.
Even with these preventative measures, occasional data loss is a fact of life for Mac computer users. However, it is reassuring to know that most cases of data loss can be fixed by Mac data recovery software or a data recovery service specializing in Mac systems.
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