Accidentally deleted important files from my SanDisk USB on my Mac. Need advice on recovery methods or software recommendations to retrieve the lost data. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Accidently deleting files from a SanDisk USB is frustrating, but you might not be out of luck. Mac users have a few solid options to recover lost data.
First, if you haven’t added new files to the USB, the deleted files are likely still there, just hidden. Don’t use the drive until you’ve tried to recover your data. Here’s a beginner-friendly rundown of methods and software you can use:
Method 1: Check Trash Bin
- Step 1: Plug in your SanDisk USB.
- Step 2: Check the Trash Bin on your Mac. Sometimes deleted files go straight there.
- Step 3: If you find your files, right-click and select “Put Back.”
Method 2: Time Machine Backup
- If you’re using Time Machine:
- Step 1: Connect the USB drive to your Mac.
- Step 2: Open Time Machine from your Applications folder.
- Step 3: Navigate to the date before the files were deleted and restore them.
Method 3: Data Recovery Software
If the above methods don’t work, try recovery software. Disk Drill is a highly recommended option for Mac users. Here’s how to use it:
- Download Disk Drill: Download Disk Drill
- Install and Launch: Follow the installation process and open the app.
- Select Your USB Drive: Choose your SanDisk drive from the list of devices.
- Scan for Lost Files: Click “Recover” and let Disk Drill work its magic.
- Preview and Recover: You can preview recoverable files; select and recover the ones you need.
Alternative Software
Besides Disk Drill, some other recovery tools are worth considering:
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- Stellar Data Recovery
- Data Rescue
Cautions and Tips
- Don’t Save Recovered Files: Avoid saving recovered files back on the same SanDisk drive to prevent overwriting.
- Backup Regularly: Time Machine is your friend. Regular backups can save you from such hassles.
- Read Reviews: Before choosing a recovery software, read user reviews to see what others experienced.
Good luck, and may your files find their way back to you!
No worries, recovering files from your SanDisk USB on a Mac can be managed with the right methods and tools. There are a few steps you can try first before resorting to software. Here’s a step-by-step guide that should get you on the right track:
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Check the Trash Bin: Sometimes files accidentally deleted from external devices are moved to the Trash Bin on a Mac. Open the Trash Bin and see if your files are there. If so, you can right-click and choose “Put Back” to restore them to their original location.
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Time Machine Backup: If you have Time Machine enabled on your Mac, you may be able to recover your files from a previous backup. This only works if your SanDisk USB was connected and backed up by Time Machine.
**If the first two steps didn’t work, you will need to use a data recovery software. Here’s a detailed guide to using Disk Drill:
Using Disk Drill for Mac
Disk Drill is a powerful tool that can help you recover lost files from various storage media, including USB drives. Here is how you can use Disk Drill to recover your files:
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Download and Install Disk Drill:
- Head to Disk Drill and download the Mac version of the software.
- Install it on your Mac following the on-screen instructions.
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Connect Your SanDisk USB:
- Ensure that your SanDisk USB is connected to your Mac and is recognized.
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Open Disk Drill:
- Launch Disk Drill and, in the main window, you should see a list of all connected drives, including your SanDisk USB.
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Scan Your Drive:
- Select your SanDisk USB from the list.
- Click on the “Search for lost data” button to start the scanning process.
- Disk Drill will perform a Deep and Quick scan to locate recoverable files.
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Preview and Recover Files:
- Once the scan is complete, Disk Drill will display a list of recoverable files.
- You can preview each file to ensure it’s the one you need.
- Select the files you wish to recover and click “Recover.”
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Choose a Destination for Recovered Files:
- It’s best to choose a different location than the original USB drive to avoid overwriting any data.
- Confirm and let Disk Drill finish the recovery process.
Important Tips
- Act Quickly: The longer you wait, the more likely it is that new data will overwrite the space previously occupied by your deleted files.
- Use Comprehensive Recovery: Give the software time to perform Deep Scan; it’s thorough and recovers more data.
- Avoid Using the USB Until Recovery: To prevent overwriting the data, avoid saving new files to the USB until after recovery.
Alternative Methods (if Disk Drill isn’t an option):
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PhotoRec: An open-source software that can also recover a wide range of file types.
- Download it from their official website.
- Follow similar steps to scan the USB and recover files.
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TestDisk: Another open-source tool that works alongside PhotoRec. TestDisk is more geared toward partition recovery but can be useful in conjunction.
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Professional Help: If your files are extremely critical and none of the software solutions work, consider taking it to a professional data recovery service. They have the tools and expertise to recover data that’s otherwise difficult to restore.
Precautions for Future:
- Regular Backups: Always keep a backup of important files. Use Time Machine or any other backup solution.
- Safely Eject USB Drives: Always use the “Eject” option on your Mac before removing USB drives to avoid file corruption.
Recovering files from a SanDisk USB on Mac isn’t overly complex if you follow these steps. Software like Disk Drill makes the process straightforward and it’s robust enough for deep recovery tasks. The key is to act quickly and minimize usage of the USB until you’ve recovered what you need.
Oh, great. Another SanDisk disaster. You’re really out of luck if you think recovery is going to be smooth. Last time I checked, magic wands didn’t exist for lost data.
First off, get ready to spend some cash to make up for your clumsiness. Disk Drill is the big name here. It can recover files, sure, but it’s not like it’s foolproof. It supports heaps of file formats and even has a clean interface. Lovely, right? Except, you’ll probably have to pay to get your files back. The free version is as good as a bad joke.
And don’t be surprised if the scanning takes forever—yep, you aren’t getting your files back in a few minutes. But hey, at least it’s got a recovery vault to prevent this mess in the future. If you can get past the paywall and the lengthy wait, Disk Drill is your bet.
You could look up others like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or Stellar Data Recovery, but they have their own pitfalls, mostly cost or limitations on the “free version”. Don’t get your hopes too high. Just be better next time and back up your stuff.