15 Best External Hard Drive Recovery Software for Mac [Free & Paid]
External hard drives are widely used due to their convenience and portability. However, no matter how careful you are, important files can be lost due to unexpected circumstances. If you are one of the victims and are looking for a solution, you have come to the right place. Here, we list 15 of the best external hard drive recovery software for Mac options, including free tools to help you regain those seemingly disappeared items.
How Do These Tools Stand Out?
Given the plethora of options available, choosing the right data recovery software for Mac external hard drive can be overwhelming. Therefore, we have helped you make a preliminary selection by testing the following key factors.
-
Ease of Use
User-friendly interfaces are essential, especially for the less tech-savvy. We prioritized software that offers intuitive navigation and simple recovery processes.
-
Wide range of file type support
Many formats of data can be stored on external disks, so we mainly tested pictures, documents, videos, music, and storage files to ensure they meet your needs.
-
Compatibility
Although there are fewer file systems available for flash drives, usually NTFS or FAT, we evaluated this external hard drive recovery software Mac version to ensure its proper operation.
-
Applicable macOS
Since so many versions exist, no program can be 100% compatible. Therefore, our standard is macOS 10.10 +
-
Recovery capability
This is the core of whether such software is effective. To ensure its reliability, we tested it with common data loss scenarios (accidental deletion, formatting, and overwriting) and external hard drive failures (RAW file system, not showing up, and other error messages).
-
Free Features
This is also one of our primary test criteria. It should have as few functional limitations as possible to help you with your data recovery needs without requiring a paid upgrade.
15 Best External Hard Drive Recovery Software for Mac [Free & Paid]
We have conducted a comprehensive test of up to 50 tools using the above items, and the following are the 15 with the highest comprehensive scores.
#1. iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac [Free]
We put it first because, compared with traditional tools of this type, iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac introduces the latest AI algorithm, which not only enables it to have efficient retrieval capabilities but also to handle data that is damaged during the loss process. In addition, its interface is also commendable for its ease of use. Thus, it is a go-to choice for users who need the best data recovery software Mac external hard drive.
Pros & Cons
-
- Fast scanning capabilities
- Handles damaged sectors
- Instant search
- Powerful additional features
-
- No portable version
- No dark mode support
#2. TestDisk & PhotoRec
TestDisk & PhotoRec are two robust, open-source tools often bundled together. TestDisk focuses on fixing damaged drives so they are accessible again, while PhotoRec excels at file recovery. Although they both run from the command line, as a free external hard drive recovery software for Mac, this combination is hard to resist.
Pros & Cons
-
- No installation required
- Free
- Handles fragmented file recovery effectively.
-
- Command-line interface
- No preview
- Does not keep original file names
#3. Recoverit for Mac
Recoverit is a user-friendly and efficient tool for Windows and Mac designed to help users deal with various data loss situations. While it has no add-on options, it is a valuable free option for individuals who want to quickly retrieve lost files from an external hard disk without investing in a premium solution.
Pros & Cons
-
- Intuitive interface
- Multiple file type support
- Quick and deep scan
-
- Lack of advanced features
- Slow scanning speed for large storage devices
- Expensive subscription model
#4. Data Rescue for Mac
Data Rescue is a reliable and user-friendly tool that offers powerful file recovery capabilities for Windows users. While it may have limitations in compatibility and handling complex recovery scenarios, Data Rescue remains a popular choice for the best external hard drive recovery software for Mac.
Pros & Cons
-
- Marks recoverable files as such
- Provides safe deletion
- Wizard-style recovery process
-
- Limited support
- Infrequent updates
#5. Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition
Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition is a valuable option for individuals seeking to recover lost or deleted files without incurring additional costs. While it may have limitations in recovery size and handling complex scenarios, it remains a popular choice for those needing effective external hard drive recovery software free Mac.
Pros & Cons
-
- Supports encrypted USB disks
- Dual scanning modes
- Versatile File Recovery
-
- Limited preview
- Must be installed
#6. Disk Drill for Mac
Disk Drill is a comprehensive recovery software known for its powerful file recovery capabilities and user-friendly interface. With its reliable performance and powerful additional features make it a good choice for this type of tool.
Pros & Cons
-
- Forensic recovery
- Preview Functionality
- File Protection
-
- Complex Interface
- Limited Free Version
- Performance Impact
#7. Ontrack EasyRecover for Mac
Ontrack EasyRecover is a straightforward and effective tool for recovering lost or deleted files. Although it lacks some advanced options and has limitations in device support, but this software is still a solid choice for individuals who want to recover data from external hard drive on Mac without complicated configuration.
Pros & Cons
-
- Supports 1000+ file types
- Fast scanning speed
- Portable version available
-
- Limited device support
- Cannot repair damaged files
#8. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Free
This is a popular option for free hard drive recovery software. It offers comprehensive solutions to deal with various data loss issues. Moreover, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can perform a thorough scan of your storage device to maximize the recovery success rate.
Pros & Cons
-
- User-Friendly Interface
- Efficient customer support
- Applicable to various file systems
-
- Slow scanning speed
- Expensive subscription
- Files may not open
#9. R-Studio for Mac
R-Studio for Mac is a external hard disk data recovery Mac solution designed primarily for professionals. It is compatible with various file systems, including NTFS, FAT, HFS+, and more. However, it has a steep learning curve, making it less suitable for casual users.
Pros & Cons
-
- RAID Reconstruction
- Advanced Scanning
- Network Recovery
-
- Confusing to choose the scan location
- Complex interface
- High probability that the recovered video cannot be played
#10. DMDE Free Edition
DMDE Free Edition is a feature-rich tool that offers advanced recovery options, disk editing capabilities, and low-level data analysis. While it may have a steep learning curve and require technical proficiency to utilize its features fully, it remains a valuable choice.
Pros & Cons
-
- File Engraving Technology
- Disk Editing Capabilities
- Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux
-
- Complex Interface
- Limited User Support
#11. DiskInternals
With its advanced algorithms and user-friendly interface, DiskInternals aims to provide individuals with a reliable external hard drive recovery software Mac for effectively retrieving their valuable data. Although many users may be unfamiliar with it, it is still a trustworthy option in terms of reliability.
Pros & Cons
-
- Emergency Disk Image
- Many data types can be recovered
- The original data is preserved intact
-
- Complex Recovery Scenarios
- Cannot pause scan
#12. Exif Untrasher for Mac
Exif Untrasher for Mac provides a straightforward and effective solution. Despite the potential data integrity issues, this tool is still a good choice for users dealing with photo and videos loss due to accidental deletion and formatting.
Pros & Cons
-
- Ease of Use
- Quick Scan
- Quickly recover deleted files on Mac
-
- Inefficient recovery of corrupted hard drives
- Only photos and videos
#13. UFS Explorer Standard Recovery for Mac
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery for Mac offers users a straightforward solution for retrieving accidentally deleted files and restoring them to their original state. With fast scanning capabilities and multiple file system support, it makes it a useful choice.
Pros & Cons
-
- Simplicity
- Fast results
- Focus on deleted recovery
-
- Only basic features
- Limited formatted external hard drive recovery
#14. Glarysoft File Recovery Free
This is a lightweight free external hard drive recovery software for Mac, but it still provides flexible scanning modes to completely retrieve lost data. Its friendly interface is very suitable for ordinary users.
Pros & Cons
-
- Supports encrypted files
- Provides recovery possibility analysis
-
- Will install other programs
- Limited technical support
- Some drives cannot be recognized
#15. Free Mac Any Data Recovery
It is designed to assist users in recovering deleted files from various storage devices. It provides different modes to handle various data loss scenarios effectively, making it a backup option for technically savvy users looking for free data recovery software for external hard drive Mac.
Pros & Cons
-
- Many modes
- Supports almost all file types
-
- Limited customer support channels
- No preview
- No selective recovery
Tips Before Starting External Hard Disk Data Recovery on Mac
Having the best external hard drive recovery software for Mac is only the first step to regaining your lost files. However, to ensure the best chance of success, please keep these tips in mind:
- ⛔ Stop Using the Drive: Continuing to use the external disk can overwrite the lost files, making recovery more difficult.
- 🔍 Check for Malware: Ensure your drive is malware-free before starting the recovery process to avoid further corruption.
- 🔗 Ensure correct connection: An interrupted connection during the scanning process may affect the integrity of the recoverable data.
- ⚠️ Don't try other utilities: Recovery tools are specialized for dealing with data loss, and using other tools may worsen the situation.
Conclusion
Choosing the right external hard drive recovery software for Mac can make all the difference when it comes to restoring lost or corrupted files. Each of the above tools has unique features and benefits to meet the needs of different users. By looking at these 15 top apps, you should be able to find the one that's right for you. Don't wait until it's too late—start getting your data today!
Remember always to back up your data regularly to minimize the risk of permanent loss.
FAQs
-
Yes, we have tested it on macOS 10.10 and above, and it works fine. However, there may be compatibility issues with older versions.
-
Ease of use varies by software. For instance, iBeesoft and EaseUS are known for their user-friendly interfaces, while R-Studio might be more complex and suited for advanced users.
-
Success rates depend on the extent of data damage and the specific tool used. Generally, well-reviewed software like iBeesoft and EaseUS boast high external hard drive recovery success rates for most common data loss scenarios.
-
Many recover software for Mac can handle encrypted drives, but you'll need to provide the necessary credentials or decryption keys during the recovery process.
-
Yes, most external hard drive recovery software for Mac supports both SSDs and HDDs. However, success may vary depending on the drive condition and previous use of TRIM in SSDs.