How to recover permanently deleted photos on Mac
Losing precious memories can be devastating, especially when those memories are stored in photos that have been permanently deleted from your Mac. Whether you accidentally deleted them or encountered a technical issue, the good news is that there are ways to recover these deleted photos. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to recover permanently deleted photos on Mac, ensuring that you can restore your cherished memories.
1. Check the Trash Bin
The first step in recovering permanently deleted photos on Mac is to check the Trash Bin. When you delete a photo, it is initially moved to the Trash Bin, where it can be easily restored. To do this:
1. Open the Trash Bin on your Mac by clicking on the icon in the Dock or navigating to the Applications folder.
2. Look for the deleted photos in the Trash Bin.
3. Right-click on the photos and select “Put Back” to restore them to their original location.
2. Use the Time Machine Backup
If you have enabled Time Machine, a built-in backup feature on Mac, you can use it to recover deleted photos. Time Machine creates regular backups of your entire Mac, including deleted files. To recover photos using Time Machine:
1. Open Time Machine by clicking on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar or opening the Time Machine preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Navigate to the date when you believe the photos were deleted.
3. Click on the photos you want to recover and then click on “Restore” to save them back to their original location.
3. Utilize Third-Party Data Recovery Software
If the above methods do not work or you want to recover photos from a non-backup scenario, you can turn to third-party data recovery software. These programs are designed to scan your Mac’s storage and recover deleted files, including photos. Here’s how to use them:
1. Download and install a reputable data recovery software for Mac, such as Disk Drill or Stellar Data Recovery.
2. Open the software and select the drive where your photos were stored.
3. Start the scanning process and wait for the software to search for deleted files.
4. Once the scan is complete, navigate through the recovered files and select the permanently deleted photos you want to restore.
5. Choose a location to save the recovered photos and click on “Recover” to save them back to your Mac.
4. Contact a Professional Data Recovery Service
If all else fails, you may need to seek the help of a professional data recovery service. These services have advanced tools and expertise to recover data from physically damaged or corrupted storage devices. Here’s how to contact a professional data recovery service:
1. Research and find a reputable data recovery service that specializes in Mac data recovery.
2. Contact the service and explain your situation, including the type of storage device and the reason for the photo deletion.
3. Follow the service’s instructions for sending your storage device for recovery.
4. Once the recovery process is complete, you will receive your photos back, either on a new storage device or as digital files.
Conclusion
Losing permanently deleted photos on Mac can be distressing, but with the right methods and tools, you can recover them. By checking the Trash Bin, utilizing Time Machine backups, using third-party data recovery software, or seeking professional help, you can restore your cherished memories. Remember to act quickly and follow the instructions carefully to increase your chances of successful photo recovery.
