Disk recovery tool

[transphasic]

Hi all. Deleted some files off of an external drive and formatted it, then realized I needed some of the files.

Does anyone have a software app file recovery tool that is not filled with malware/spyware that won't pirate my hard drive, etc.? As in a legit and reliable tool to scan the drive and possibly recover the files?

I am fearful of downloading an app/recovery tool from a vendor I don't know, that could be loaded with spyware or some other cr-p. I did a basic google search and there are some for the mac, but from developers I never heard of, and recommended by websites I never heard of.

Maybe the mac os X has built in tools I could use...?

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[bogdanw]

TestDisk https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

 

[Bigwaff]

Thanks for any thoughts.

First, what file system format was the external drive before you erased and reformatted it?

 

[transphasic]

TestDisk https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

That seems to be solely for partition repair/recovery, not individual files. The app they offer for file recovery (Photoreceptors) does not seem to have a download link anywhere.

 

[transphasic]

First, what file system format was the external drive before you erased and reformatted it?

No idea, it was years ago. Maybe 10.2 or 10.3...?

 

[transphasic]

That seems to be solely for partition repair/recovery, not individual files. The app they offer for file recovery (Photoreceptors) does not seem to have a download link anywhere.

Just tried photorec, it requires some linux capabilities which are sadly, beyond me.

 

[Bigwaff]

No idea, it was years ago. Maybe 10.2 or 10.3...?

No... HFS+, APFS, FAT, ExFAT ?? What is the current file system format?

 

[gilby101]

Maybe the mac os X has built in tools I could use...?

Time Machine. But you probably have not been using it, so:

Try DiskDrill. Free to discover if there is anything worth recovering. Pay for it to do recovery.

Alternatively go to a data recovery specialist. Expensive, but maybe your lost data is that valuable.

 

[Fishrrman]

There is also "Data Rescue" from ProSoft.
Worked for me. But that was some years ago...

 

[transphasic]

No... HFS+, APFS, FAT, ExFAT ?? What is the current file system format?

It would have been APFS I believe.

 

[transphasic]

There is also "Data Rescue" from ProSoft.
Worked for me. But that was some years ago...

I will research that app and try it, ty.

 

[Ruggy]

Time Machine. But you probably have not been using it, so:

Try DiskDrill. Free to discover if there is anything worth recovering. Pay for it to do recovery.

Alternatively go to a data recovery specialist. Expensive, but maybe your lost data is that valuable.

Yes, Disk Drill is your best bet these days.

But you formatted it. If it was a quick format then you might recover some files
If it was overwritten they are gone
If it was a spinning HD then you have some chance
If it was an SSD then it's extremely unlikely (TRIM clears the space after reformatting)
If you reformatted to APFS or HFS+ or retained the same structure, the old structures may be partially intact.
If you changed format like to EXFAT it's much less likely

R studio is much more complete but more difficult to use

Data Recovery for Mac and Mac File Recovery software for Apple lovers

R-Studio for Mac - File recovery and Data Recovery Software designed for Mac OS and recovery form APFS/HFS+/HFS partitions as well as from FAT/NTFS, exFAT and other file systems.

www.r-studio.com