Recovering Deleted Mac Files: iCloud vs Data Recovery Software

We have been losing or deleting data for ages. Even though we have evolved with many data security techniques, bigger storage drives and newly backup methods; we continue to lose our files. And the most tragic way of losing files has been still ruled by accidentally emptying the trash folder. From decades, this method has remained on #1 spot for permanently losing the files from Mac.

However, Apple brought in Time Machine and iCloud; two sophisticated applications to get rid of data losses on Mac. No Apple doesn’t disallow you to empty the trash; in fact, you can blindly empty your trash anytime, but Apple gives you an opportunity to recover your deleted files either from an iCloud or from the Time Machine drive.

iCloud

iCloud is a built-in application just like the BootCamp Assistant or Time Machine. You can launch the iCloud tool from System Preferences. This service is partially free and gives you free 5 GB of cloud storage with your registration.

Now, 5 Gb isn’t a great space in today’s world, but still, you can store up to hundreds of documents, images and music files in 5 GB space. And there is always an opportunity to upgrade this 5 GB free iCloud account to unlimited storage spaces covering your entire hard drive data.

Additionally, you can access your Mac files from iOS devices such as iPhone, iPods and iPads.

Data Recovery from iCloud

Your Mac has a drive named as iCloud Drive similar to the Dropbox folder. All the files which you save on your iCloud account are listed in the iCloud Drive. Whenever you undergo data losses through accidental deletion or disk erasure; simply go to the iCloud Drive and copy back the file(s) to their original locations.

If your entire Mac hard drive is dead and you can’t log into your computer, then don’t worry since you can use another Mac system and enter your credentials to access your files in Mac’s iCloud Drive folder.

Recovering Files Deleted from iCloud Drive

Interestingly what will you do if you trash a file from the iCloud drive? Let’s assume you emptied the trash too after deleting several files from an iCloud drive and now you want them back urgently?

• Launch Safari
• Go to iCloud.Com
• Enter your credentials and log in your iCloud. Note: Credentials should be same as your iCloud drive folder.
• Under Settings, scroll down to the bottom where Advanced << Restore Files is located. Click Restore Files.
• A set-up is launched with options – Restore Files, Restore Contacts, Restore Calendars, Restore Bookmarks. Just stay with Restore Files.
• You will see a bunch of files which were deleted by you. You can sort the deleted files by Size, Name and Date.
• You can select single or multiple files and click Restore You can also choose to delete the files by clicking delete button placed near the restore button.
• After the restoration has been done successfully, you can see the files appeared in your iCloud drive folder on Mac.

*Still not using iCloud then start doing it today.

Mac Data Recovery using Software

Why use a data recovery software for Mac when applications like iCloud and Time Machine are provided for free? Let’s jolt below points to understand the difference between them:

Recovering Huge Pile of Files

Some of us have an enormous amount of data, and iCloud doesn’t seem to be a user-friendly platform. Instead, large-capacity external drives are much easier to plug and access files. Hence users prefer to back up their Mac files to an external hard drive. After a backup is done, the internal Macintosh HD is optimized by removing such files to maintain free spaces. Dramatically, if the files get deleted from the backup drive too then the need for Mac file recovery software arrives.

Recovering Files in Disk Failure

Your internal drive or the Time Machine device is a hard drive after all which can fail or go corrupt anytime. And remember, not all of us are paid users of iClouds. Hence, in the case of a media failure that had thousands of files; we require a Mac data recovery software to restore them back in a go.

Recovering Non-Booting Macs

Again, not every user has an iCloud or Time backup, so they end up purchasing a Mac data recovery software to recover inaccessible files. Using a Mac data recovery software is worth it when you have to recover gigabytes of data from a storage device.

Conclusion

Do back up your Mac with an iCloud or Time Machine application. Also, keep a suitable Mac data recovery ready in the case where you had no backup of your hard drive. In both instances, an iCloud or Mac data recovery software looks useful.

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About The Author

Vishal

Vishal is a data recovery expert @Stellar. He addresses data loss scenarios on a Mac. He intends to help people solve their macOS problems. Besides, Vishal prefers to read about astronomy and autobiography, and his favorite is Steve Jobs - The man who thought different written by Karen Bluementhal.