How to Recover Data from a Mac After Factory Reset?

A factory reset on a Mac is a drastic step typically taken to resolve persistent software issues, erase personal or classified data before device resale or transfer; or simply, start with a clean slate.

A factory reset is an effective way to resolve issues with your Mac; however, it sometimes leads to unintentional data loss as it removes all user data and traces from the system.

This blog helps you explore some useful methods to recover data even after performing a factory reset on your Mac.

Is it Possible to Recover Data after a Factory Reset on Mac?

Absolutely! Although recovering data after a factory reset on a Mac can be challenging as it erases all user data, including applications and settings, data recovery is still possible.

If you have a recent Time Machine backup, iCloud backup, or an external drive backup, you can simply restore your files using one of them. Alternatively, you may also use professional Mac data recovery software for a safe and complete recovery of your lost files.

Caution – The chances of a successful data recovery diminish if you continue using the device after a factory reset due to overwriting. So, it is crucial to act promptly.

Methods to Recover Data from a Mac After a Factory Reset

In case you have lost important files after performing a factory reset on your Mac system, use the step-by-step methods explained below to retrieve lost files and data.

Method 1: Recover Files After Factory Reset Using the Time Machine

Time Machine is a built-in automatic backup solution for a Mac. If you have regularly backed up data using Time Machine, you can easily recover and restore it on your Mac using this solution.

Connect the Time Machine backup drive to your Mac and follow the steps given below –

Step 1: Enter Mac Recovery Mode

On Apple Silicon Mac –

• Press the power button until the Startup Options window appears.
• Click on the gear icon labeled Options.
• Choose Continue to access Recovery Mode.

On Intel-Based Macs –

• Press and release the power button.
• Then, immediately press and hold the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo.

Step 2: Once in Recovery Mode, follow the steps below

• Select Restore from Time Machine from the list of options.

• From the list of available backups, choose the one that contains the data you want to restore.
• Let Time Machine restore the selected backup to your Mac.

• After restoration, your Mac will have all the data and settings from the selected Time Machine backup.
• Exit the Recovery Mode and restart your Mac.

To use this method, it is important to regularly back up your Mac data using Time Machine. It ensures that your data is protected and easily recoverable in the future.

Method 2: Recover Files after a Factory Reset Using iCloud

iCloud is a cloud storage provided by Apple. It lets users sync files from a Mac system to the cloud storage platform. Users can access the data backup on every device connected to an iCloud account.

Follow the steps below to restore your data using iCloud on a Mac after performing Factory Reset:

• Once your Mac is set up after a factory reset, open System Preferences.
• Sign in with your Apple ID.

• Access iCloud settings.
• Select iCloud Drive and enable it.

• Click on Options next to iCloud Drive.
• Turn ON sync and select the items in the list that you want to sync. Once selected, click Done.
• Wait until the sync is complete.

Note – By default, iCloud provides a limited storage capacity (5GB for data backup). While you can upgrade the iCloud storage plan, you should manage your iCloud storage and ensure that you use it to store vital files and documents.

Method 3: Recover Data on Mac After Factory Reset Without a Backup

Backups are important. They work like an insurance scheme that covers you in situations of severe data loss.

However, if you have not setup Time Machine backup on your Mac, or set up iCloud or/ and external drive backups, then you can use a professional Mac data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac to aid you in retrieving your lost data after a factory reset.

Whether you have accidentally deleted some important files, formatted an external drive, or factory reset your Mac, this software is designed to recover files lost in various data loss scenarios.

The data recovery tool can easily recover files from a non-booting or crashed Mac without even the need for bootable media!

Here are the steps to recover data from a Mac after a factory reset using Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac –

• Download and install Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac.
• Launch the app and select the file types you need to recover. By default, All Data is selected. Click Next.

• Choose the drive or location from where you want to recover the lost files. Click Scan.

• Let the scan finish. If it shows the desired file(s), you can pause the scan to preview and recover them. Or wait for the scan to complete.
• Once the scan is complete, preview all the recovered files.
• If satisfied with the results, click Recover.

• Choose a location to save the recovered files.

Once the software has successfully recovered the files, navigate to the destination folder and verify the recovered files.

Looking to factory reset your Mac?  Efficiently remove all user data and start afresh using the following section:

How to Factory Reset a Mac?

When you factory reset a Mac, macOS wipes the drive, removing all files, folders, and configurations. This process includes deleting user accounts, preferences, installed applications, and any customizations made to the system.

Use Erase All Content and Settings to erase all settings, data, and apps quickly and securely while maintaining the operating system currently installed.

Before performing a factory reset on Mac, ensure to:

• Backup your data by copying it onto an external hard drive or iCloud.
• Use Time Machine for automatic and periodic backups of your data.
• Sign out of iCloud and iMessage.

Wrapping Up

Although recovering data from a Mac after factory reset may seem challenging, but effective solutions are available to make your task simple. Whether you use Time Machine backup, iCloud backup, or Mac data recovery software, you can recover your lost files easily.

But there are times when backups also fail. To avoid such difficult situations, you should practice the 3-2-1 backup technique, where you can create multiple copies of your data backups at separate locations. This will minimize the impact of data loss and ensure a long-term security of your information.

Read more:

• Erased Your Mac Hard Drive? Here’s What You Need to Do
• How to Recover Data From a Dead Mac in 3 Easy Ways
• Free Recover Deleted Files on Mac [100% Working]

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About The Author

Ruslana Lishchuk

Ruslana is a tech content writer whose true passion is finding out about everything Mac-related. She specializes in creating macOS guides and tips & tricks. In her spare time, you’ll find her doing yoga or discovering local coffee shops in search of the best filter coffee.