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How to Recover/Repair Videos on Mac Free

Home > HowTos Updated by Robert on August 7, 2024 | Approved by William

No one wants to face a situation where precious videos are accidentally lost or corrupted, especially when these files record important moments or critical work projects. However, for Mac users, this pain is only short-lived. No matter how they were lost or cannot play, here we will provide multiple methods to help you repair and recover videos on Mac for free.

Understanding Common Causes of Video Loss or Corruption

There are many reasons why these situations occur, and understanding them can help you prevent future losses and properly perform video recovery on Mac.

  • 🗑️ Accidental Deletion
  • One of the simplest yet most frequent causes is accidental deletion. It happens when users unknowingly delete files or empty the trash without checking its contents. Although frustrating, with this type of loss, you can easily and quickly recover deleted videos on Mac free.
  • 💢 Transfer Issues
  • Incomplete downloads, improper ejection of external drives, unexpected interruptions, or transfer errors can also cause them to disappear or even become corrupted.
  • ⬇️ macOS Upgrade or Downgrade
  • If you don't back it up properly, you may end up with videos disappearing or malfunctioning.
  • ⚠️ Software Issues
  • Editing software crashes, incompatible applications, or conflicts within the operating system can sometimes cause videos to be unplayed or lost on a Mac.
  • 💽 Hardware Failure
  • Problems with the hard drive, SD card, or other storage media where your videos are stored can corrupt them or even disappear completely.
  • 🦠 Virus or Malware Attacks
  • Generally speaking, macOS is less susceptible to viruses but not immune. Malware attacks can corrupt or delete videos stored on the system.

No matter what, don't give up! As long as you take action in time, there is still a chance.

The First Steps to Take Immediately After Video Recovery on Mac

When you realize that you've lost or corrupted a video, the first thing to do is stop using your storage devices. Continued use can overwrite the space where the lost video was stored, making recovery more difficult. Also, take action now to increase your odds of success.

How to Recover Deleted or Lost Videos on Mac Free

Although dealing with disappeared video files may seem daunting, with the right knowledge and tools, it is easy. Check them out below.

Way 1. Use Finder

This method can help you when your video files disappear without any signs. Maybe you just moved them accidentally.

  1. Open Finder and click XXX's Mac on the left.
  2. Click the search icon on the upper right corner of the page and type the extension of your lost video, such as MP4.

  3. Check the result page to see if your missing video appears.

Way 2. Check the Trash Bin

It is a location where Mac temporarily saves deleted files. If you accidentally press the delete key or some other situation causes your precious moments to be put there, then the following steps can easily recover deleted videos on MacBook, iMac, and more.

  1. Open "Trash" by clicking on the icon on the far right of the Dock.
  2. Locate your lost video.
  3. Go to the right and select "Put Back."

  4. Go to the folder where the video was once stored to view it.

Way 3. Leverage Recently Deleted in Photos

If you have ever imported precious videos into the Photos app and accidentally deleted them while cleaning up useless files, then restore the videos from the Recently Deleted option, here are the steps:

  1. Open this app.
  2. Click on the Recently Deleted option on the left.
  3. Select the lost video and click on "Recover."

Way 4. From Time Machine

If you frequently use Time Machine for backups, you are in luck. Here, you can quickly recover videos on Mac. To do this, you can do the following:

  1. Connect the external hard drive that serves as a backup to your Mac.
  2. Go to the folder where the videos are lost.
  3. Open Time Machine and browse for the video file copy.
  4. After selecting the target item, click "Restore."

Way 5. Use a Professional Tool

Sometimes, built-in tools are not enough. That's when third-party software solutions come in handy. They are designed to deal with various data loss issues. Here, you can use iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, which is your best choice because of the following features.

Your Best and Free Video Recovery Software for Mac

(Trust Score 4.7 by 1695 Users)
  • Its powerful algorithm works for almost all video loss situations and can reconstruct them even if damaged.
  • It not only has a simple interface but also supports any video format and storage device.
  • This best Mac recovery software also has a separate video repair option to ensure its integrity to the maximum extent.
Free Download

Step-by-step guide to recover permanently deleted videos on Mac Free:

  1. Download and install this program to your Mac according to the instructions.
  2. Open it and click "Program Name > Settings" in the top menu to uncheck the option Other types of files.

  3. Select the drive where the videos are stored and click "Search for lost files."

  4. After completing the scan, switch to the "Videos" tab to find the lost items.

  5. After finding them, you can double-click to preview them.
  6. Select the ones you need and click "Recover" to save them.

Tip: If your videos disappeared during the transfer process from memory card to Mac, then you can also use this tool to scan it. Here is also a complete guide on how to recover files from SD card on Mac.

Way 6. Seek Help from a Video Recovery Service

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not be able to recover lost videos on a Mac by yourself. At this time, they are your last resort. Although time-consuming and expensive, they have the professional skills and tools to help you as much as possible.

How to Repair Corrupted Videos on Mac

It's equally frustrating to lose access to your video files due to corruption. The good news is that you can try to repair them by following these ways.

Method 1. Change the File format

Sometimes, changing the file format of a corrupted video is a quick fix for this problem. So, you can convert the video to a different format using video conversion software like VLC Media Player, which may help resolve playback issues.

Tip: You can also download YouTube Videos Using VLC to watch them offline.

Method 2. Update Video Players

Sometimes, updating the video player can help in playing back corrupted videos by utilizing the latest codecs and technology for better compatibility.

Method 3. Utilize the video repair option of iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac

It can help you fix videos that cannot be played due to the loss of necessary segments, encoding errors, or other reasons. To do this, you must open it, switch to the "Video Repair" tab, and drag the damaged video to the designated area.

Method 4. Try Online Video Repair Services

Some online services offer video repair capabilities. You can upload your corrupted video file, and the service will attempt to repair it. Websites like Restore.Media or Online Video Cutter may provide such services.

Method 5. Contact Professional Services

If the above methods do not work or if the videos are highly valuable, consider contacting professional data recovery services that specialize in video file repair.

Practical Tips to Prevent Future Problems With Your Videos

While knowing how to recover videos on Mac and solve the problem of being unable to play is essential, prevention is always better than cure. Implementing a few practical tips can help you avoid future losses and keep your valuable videos safe.

Conclusion

Video loss or corruption can be stressful, but the right tools and knowledge can resolve these issues. From using built-in Mac tools to third-party software and professional services, there are multiple ways to retrieve and repair lost videos on Mac. Additionally, preventive measures like regular backups and reliable software can help you avoid future losses.

FAQs

  • You can use iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac can retrieve lost or damaged videos from a corrupted storage device. It does this very well by utilizing the latest retrieval algorithms and built-in video repair options.

  • If your video is black or won't play, please use software like VLC Media Player, iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, or Stellar Repair for Video. These tools can fix various types of corruption and make your video playable again.

  • Yes, if you have Time Machine backups enabled on your Mac, you can restore lost videos from a previous backup. Open Time Machine, locate the video file in your backup, and click "Restore."

  • No problem! Use photo video recovery software that supports external drives, such as iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac or Disk Drill, and follow the software's instructions to scan and get them back.

  • Yes, there are free tools available for video recovery on Mac. Some options include iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, PhotoRec, and TestDisk.

  • Yes, even if you format the hard drive or restore the system to factory settings, you can still use iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac to retrieve them. However, the success rate decreases if new data is written into the drive.