Have you ever accidentally deleted a precious photo on your Mac? It can be a frustrating experience, but don’t worry, there are ways to recover your recently deleted photos. In this blog post, we will explore various methods to help you find and restore your lost photos on Mac. Whether you deleted them from the Trash or emptied the Trash, there is still hope to recover those cherished memories.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the methods, there are a few things you will need to have in order to carry out the recovery process:
1. A Mac computer.
2. Enough storage space for the recovered photos.
3. An external storage device (optional) to store the recovered photos.
What Requires Your Focus?
While there are multiple methods to recover recently deleted photos on Mac, it is important to note that the success of the recovery may vary depending on various factors such as the time elapsed since the deletion, the storage capacity of your Mac, and the extent of data overwriting. Hence, it is crucial to act promptly and avoid any further use of your Mac to maximize the chances of recovery. Now, let’s explore the methods and steps to recover your recently deleted photos on Mac.
Method 1. How to Recover Recently Deleted Photos via Time Machine
Using Time Machine, the built-in backup utility on Mac, you can easily recover your recently deleted photos. Here’s how:
1. Connect your external storage device (if you have one) to your Mac.
2. Click on the Time Machine icon in your menu bar and select "Enter Time Machine."
3. Navigate to the folder where your deleted photos were located.
4. Use the timeline on the right side to browse through different time periods and locate the desired photo.
5. Once you find the photo, select it and click on the "Restore" button.
6. Time Machine will restore the photo to its original location or ask you for a new location if the original folder is no longer available.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Easy and straightforward process to recover recently deleted photos. | 1. Requires set up and regular backups with Time Machine. |
| 2. Provides a visual timeline for easy browsing and recovery. | 2. Recovery may not be possible if no previous backup exists. |
| 3. Can restore photos to their original locations. | 3. Requires an external storage device for backups. |
Method 2. How to Recover Recently Deleted Photos via Mac Trash
If you have recently deleted your photos and they are still in the Trash, you can easily restore them by following these steps:
1. Open the Trash by clicking on its icon in the Dock.
2. Locate the deleted photo(s) in the Trash.
3. Right-click on the photo(s) and select "Put Back" to restore them to their original location.
4. Alternatively, you can select multiple photos and drag them out of the Trash and onto your desktop or any desired folder.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Quick and easy method to restore recently deleted photos. | 1. Only applicable if the photos are still in the Trash. |
| 2. Restores photos to their original locations. | 2. If the Trash has been emptied, this method won’t work. |
Method 3. How to Recover Recently Deleted Photos via Third-Party Software
If the previous methods didn’t work or your photos were permanently deleted, you can try using third-party data recovery software. Follow these steps:
1. Download and install a reputable data recovery software such as Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery.
2. Launch the software on your Mac.
3. Select the drive or partition where your deleted photos were stored.
4. Start the scanning process to search for recoverable files.
5. Once the scan is complete, browse the recoverable files and select the photos you want to restore.
6. Click on the "Recover" or "Restore" button and choose a destination folder to save the recovered photos.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Can recover permanently deleted photos. | 1. Requires downloading and installing third-party software. |
| 2. Offers a higher chance of recovery compared to other methods. | 2. Some software may come with a cost for advanced features. |
| 3. Can recover photos from various storage devices. | 3. Recovery success may vary depending on the extent of data overwriting. |
Method 4. How to Recover Recently Deleted Photos via iCloud
If you have enabled iCloud Photo Library on your Mac, there is a chance that your recently deleted photos are still available in your iCloud account. Follow these steps to recover them:
1. Open a web browser and go to iCloud.com.
2. Sign in using your Apple ID and password.
3. Click on the "Photos" icon.
4. In the Photos app, click on the "Recently Deleted" album.
5. Browse through the deleted photos and select the ones you want to recover.
6. Click on the "Recover" button to restore the selected photos.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Can recover recently deleted photos from iCloud. | 1. Requires an active iCloud Photo Library and internet connection. |
| 2. Allows you to browse and select specific photos for recovery. | 2. May not have all the deleted photos if synchronization was interrupted. |
| 3. Recovery can be done from any device with internet access. |
Why Can’t I Find My Recently Deleted Photos?
If you are unable to find your recently deleted photos, it could be due to various reasons. Here are a few common reasons and their fixes:
1. Reason: The photos were permanently deleted from the Trash.
Fix: In this case, you can try using third-party data recovery software to attempt recovery.
2. Reason: The Time Machine backup does not include the deleted photos.
Fix: Check if your Time Machine backups are up to date and consider enabling more frequent backups for better coverage.
3. Reason: Your deleted photos were not included in the iCloud Photo Library.
Fix: Ensure that you have enabled the "Recently Deleted" album in the Photos app on iCloud.com. If the photos were not synced to iCloud, data recovery software may be necessary.
Implications and Recommendations
Here are some implications and recommendations to consider when it comes to finding recently deleted photos on your Mac:
1. Enable Time Machine backups and perform regular backups to ensure you have a recovery option available in case of accidental deletion.
2. Make sure to regularly check your Trash before emptying it, as it may contain deleted photos that can still be restored.
3. Consider using cloud storage services like iCloud to automatically back up your photos and have an additional recovery option.
5 FAQs about Finding Recently Deleted Photos on Mac
Q1: Can I recover photos that were deleted a long time ago?
A: The chances of recovering photos that were deleted a long time ago are lower, as the storage space may have been overwritten with new data. However, it is still worth trying different recovery methods, especially using professional data recovery software.
Q2: How much disk space do I need for the recovery process?
A: The amount of disk space required for the recovery process depends on the size and number of the photos you want to recover. Ensure that you have enough free space on your Mac or use an external storage device to store the recovered photos.
Q3: Can I recover photos if I emptied the Trash?
A: In most cases, you can still recover photos even if you emptied the Trash. Use a professional data recovery software like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to scan your Mac and retrieve the deleted photos.
Q4: Should I stop using my Mac after deleting photos?
A: It is recommended to stop using your Mac immediately after deleting photos to prevent any data overwriting. Continued usage of your Mac can reduce the chances of successful recovery.
Q5: Are there any free data recovery software available for Mac?
A: Yes, there are free data recovery software options available for Mac, such as Disk Drill’s basic version and Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition. However, these free versions may have limitations in terms of recovery capabilities and features.
Final Words
Accidentally deleting photos can be a disheartening experience, but with the right methods and tools, there is still hope to recover your recently deleted photos on Mac. In this blog post, we explored various methods, including using Time Machine, recovering from Mac Trash, utilizing third-party software, and accessing iCloud backups. Remember to act promptly, avoid further use of your Mac, and consider implementing regular backup practices to prevent data loss in the future. With these methods and recommendations, you can increase your chances of successfully finding and restoring your precious memories.