External hard drives are a great way to keep your data safe but they are in no way invincible. They are susceptible to data loss for one reason or another. You can easily accidentally delete data on the drive, accidentally format the drive or even lose the data on it due to external or internal damage of the drive itself. That said, lost data on an external hard drive is recoverable. With the best free data recovery software for external hard drive and process, you can easily get the data back. This article will point you in the right direction in regards to the top free tools to recover data from an external hard drive.
- If you are looking for a free photo recovery software that can recover lost or deleted JPEG photos from your Mac, look no further than Exif Untrasher. The software allows you to recover your JPEG files in case you deleted them or formatted your SD card, hard disk, or memory stick accidentally.
- Download the best free Mac data recovery software for unlimited free drive scanning and free file preview, plus 1 GB free file saving. Looking for a free Mac file recovery software online? Or a premium software that offers broad data recovery capability across all your Mac (MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, or their Pro models) and Mac-based storage.
- Dec 29, 2020 Ontrack EasyRecovery for Mac is another professional Mac data recovery software and you can use its free edition to recover up to 1GB data. This software can work in different situations like file deletion, partition deletion, formatting, and more.
Ontrack EasyRecovery for Mac is another professional Mac data recovery software and you can use its free edition to recover up to 1GB data. This software can work in different situations like file deletion, partition deletion, formatting, and more.
Top 10 Free Data Recovery Software for External Hard Drive
1# Recuva
This free to download data recovery program is one of the most popular and can be used to recover any number of files from just about any disk including external hard disks. One of the reasons why it is the most popular is because it is almost effortless to use, making it ideal for the beginner. It is ideal for recovering all types of files including videos, documents, photos, audio files and very many more.
Pros:
● It comes with a secure-delete feature.
● It also has a portable version that runs from a USB stick.
● It comes with a secure-delete feature.
● It also has a portable version that runs from a USB stick.
Cons:
● It doesn't offer a wide range of features as compared to other similar programs.
● Can tag files as 'unrecoverable' when other programs will recover the same files.
● It doesn't offer a wide range of features as compared to other similar programs.
● Can tag files as 'unrecoverable' when other programs will recover the same files.
2# Recoverit
By far the best program on this list, Recoverit for Mac (or Recoverit for Windows) is easy to use and gives you lots of options when it comes to data recovery.
Why Choose This External Hard Drive Data Recovery Software:
● The software's features are highly specialized and you can recover all of your deleted data in the shortest time possible and in the original condition.
● You will not be spending too much time trying to figure out which button to click.
● You will not be spending too much time trying to figure out which button to click.
● You can use Recoverit to recovery any other type of data including photos, videos and emails among many others. All of the data is recovered intact and in the original condition.
● It also comes with a preview feature that allows you to easily choose the files you want to recover.
● It also comes with a preview feature that allows you to easily choose the files you want to recover.
Step-By-Step Guide to Recover External Hard Drive Lost Data
Step 1. Begin by downloading the program to your Mac. We recommend that you install the program on a different drive to avoid overwriting the data. Launch the program and from the main window, select the types for your lost data and click 'Next' button.
Step 2. In the next window, select the drive that contains the missing data. If you don't see the drive click 'Refresh' icon and it should appear. Click 'Start' to begin the scanning process.
Step 3. Once the scan is complete, you will see all of the files on that drive. Select the ones you want to recover and then click 'Recover'. Save them on a separate drive.
3# External Drive Data Recovery
This is another free program that has great user reviews and is quite useful when you want to recover data from external hard drives. It is useful in the recovery of just about any file type including documents, photos, videos and audio files.
Mac File Recovery Software Free
Pros:
● It can be used to recover all types of data.
● It comes with a very simple to use interface that is quite pleasing.
● It can be used to recover all types of data.
● It comes with a very simple to use interface that is quite pleasing.
Cons:
● Scanning takes a long time especially if you had too many files on the drive.
● It can mark some files 'unrecoverable' that other data recovery programs easily recover.
● Scanning takes a long time especially if you had too many files on the drive.
● It can mark some files 'unrecoverable' that other data recovery programs easily recover.
4# Undelete 360
This is another free tool that promises to undelete any files you may have accidentally deleted from your computer. It can restore files from a hard drive as well as an external drive and other storage devices such as memory sticks and pen drives. It comes in both a portable and desktop version and is very simple to use. The interface is self-explanatory; you won’t have to have to learn how to navigate the program before recovering data. As long as the deleted data can be recovered, undelete 360 will recover it for you.
Pros:
● It is easy to use with a simple to navigate user interface.
● Comes with a portable version.
● It is easy to use with a simple to navigate user interface.
● Comes with a portable version.
Cons:
● Scanning can sometimes be slow.
● It lacks FAT support.
● Scanning can sometimes be slow.
● It lacks FAT support.
5# Mac Free Any Data Recovery
This free utility for Mac will help you get your missing data back in a number of ways. It comes with multiple features that make data recover very easy. It is also a good choice to help you recover data from both internal and external hard drive and can be used to recover nearly all types of data.
Pros:
● It has a simple, easy to use interface that only provides you with 2 options: a quick scan or a deep scan.
● Recovery is quick and effective.
● It has a simple, easy to use interface that only provides you with 2 options: a quick scan or a deep scan.
● Recovery is quick and effective.
Cons:
● If you encounter any problems while working with this program, you’ll be on your own since support was pretty much non-existent
● If you encounter any problems while working with this program, you’ll be on your own since support was pretty much non-existent
6# Pandora Recovery
Although the appearance may seem to put off a user, Pandora Recovery is still the best software with the ability to identify deleted partitions or data from an external hard disk. The wizard guides you throughout and chooses the best settings based on user input in scanning for the lost data. The stimulating feature of the program is the Surface Scan, which helps in bringing back files even from a formatted drive.
Pros:
● Recovers data from any external hard disk and other storage devices connected to the system.
● Color coded with percentage indicators for easy recognition.
● Recovers data from any external hard disk and other storage devices connected to the system.
● Color coded with percentage indicators for easy recognition.
Cons:
● Prompts the user to install browser toolbar during program installation.
● Prompts the user to install browser toolbar during program installation.
7# MiniTool Power Data Recovery
For an effective data recovery from any external hard drive connected to a Windows operating system, MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a faultless tool. It handles most of the chores with ease. The interface offers a clear glimpse of the options, making it easy to take the right option for getting back the deleted partition/data from external hard disk.
Pros:
● Simplistic interface and ease of operation.
● It is further capable of recovery data from flash cards and optical media.
● Simplistic interface and ease of operation.
● It is further capable of recovery data from flash cards and optical media.
Cons:
● Does not have the provision to skip through the bad sectors, which usually prevent the scan consume a lot of time.
● Does not have the provision to skip through the bad sectors, which usually prevent the scan consume a lot of time.
8# Wise Data Recovery
Wise Data Recovery is a free undelete software available for the Windows OS. It offers assistance in identifying the undeleted content and partitions from an external drive connected to the computer. The free-to-use program is simple in nature and offers all the features that a major recovery tool possesses.
Pros:
● Quick installation of the program without unwanted third-party programs.
● Displays the validity of the file along with recoverability.
● Quick installation of the program without unwanted third-party programs.
● Displays the validity of the file along with recoverability.
Cons:
● It is not capable of holding individual files with their original names and data structures.
● It is not capable of holding individual files with their original names and data structures.
9# Puran File Recovery
Puran File Recovery is a new entrant into the world of free file recovery program. However, it does have the capability to retrieve deleted content, and that made it add to the list. The major factor that pushes a user to use the program is its fast scanning technology. You can even navigate and learn options within the program with ease and at a faster pace even though you do not have a clue about recovery programs. It will offer complete assistance in identifying and recovery deleted partitions and data from any external hard drives.
Pros:
● Shows file condition and size of deleted files/folder/partition.
● Portable versions work on both 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows platform.
● Shows file condition and size of deleted files/folder/partition.
● Portable versions work on both 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows platform.
Cons:
● Non-commercial use (home use only).
● Non-commercial use (home use only).
10# Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery
Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery software, which works on different versions of the Windows OS has successfully passed various recovery tests, making it a viable solution to enter the top five list. It recovers a variety of file types, partitions, and archives from deleted or formatted disks. It even functions efficiently in recognizing external hard drives and performs well.
Pros:
● Identifies partitions and deleted data even from a formatted drive.
● Highest success rate in recovery of data in its class.
● Identifies partitions and deleted data even from a formatted drive.
● Highest success rate in recovery of data in its class.
Cons:
● Consumes plenty of time to recover data than other programs.
● Consumes plenty of time to recover data than other programs.
Product-related questions? Contact Our Support Team to Get Quick Solution >
Top 5 best data recovery software for mac review - 100% free
The following tools are completely free unlimited data recovery software for MAC that you may use them as data recovery software mac full version without risks.
These tools are completely free data recovery software for mac. Feel free to enjoy freeware.
- #1 - Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery [100% Freeware]
- #2 - Softtote Mac Data Recovery Free [100% Freeware]
- #3 - PhotoRec [100% Freeware]
- #4 - TestDisk for Mac [100% Freeware]
- #5 - Exif Untrasher [100% free, limited to photos]
IMPORTANT NOTICE - PLEASE STOP USING YOUR DEVICE TO KEEP THE BEST CHANCE OF RECOVERY AND AVOID DATA OVERWRITTEN.
Any change to the flash drive would result in data overwritten. The above list flash drive recovery software are read-only if you do not install the recovery program on the flash drive.
#1 - Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery Review - 100% free
As an excellent mac data recovery freeware, Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery is a 100% free program for recovering files after delete, format, damaged internal mac drive or external media like flash stick, memory card..
What we like
- It's completely free of charge as a freeware
- No limitation inside of the software, you may save unlimited data for free
- Easy to use with step by step guide
- It supports mac os 10.5 and higher Intel Macs including Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks, Mac OS 10.8 Mountain Lion, Mac OS X Lion 10.7, Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6, Mac OS 10.5 Leopard and Mac OS Server 10.5 Leopard.
- Supported file systems: HFS, HFS+, HFSX, FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5, EXFAT. - It supports various kinds of mac internal drives, external drives, usb sticks, memory cards..
What we dislike - not much to complain for this freeware
Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery
How to use Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery
Download url: http://www.macdatarecoveryfreeware.com/downloads/lazesoftmacdatarecovery.dmg
Step 1, Download Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery and connect your device to Mac machine if it's an external device.
Step 2, Run the freeware and scan device for mac file recovery
Step 3, Save data onto another digital media to save drive from being overwritten.
Video - How to use Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery
#2 - Softtote Mac Data Recovery Free Review - 100% free
As another completely free mac data recovery software, Softtote is second to Lazesoft as one of best data recovery mac utilities which supports various file systems ie it supports many types of digital devices ranging from flash drives to memory card, as well as hard drives no matter the drives were used on Mac or Windows that you could use this freeware on MAC for free file recovery.
What we like
- It supports HFS+, FAT, NTFS, and ext2 file systems
- No function or data saving limitations
- Completely freeware on MAC
- Free tech support
- Works on Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) ~ and 10.13 (high sierra)
What we dislike - no complain on this freeware
Download url:http://www.softtote.com/downloads/Softtote_Data_Recovery_Free.dmg
Softtote Mac Data Recovery Free
Video Guide - How to recover files on mac with Softtote Mac Data Recovery Free
#3 - PhotoRec Review [100% freeware]
As an outstanding free software, PhotoRec asks no pay from users and it is totally open to anyone even on its source code. This program is provided by TestDisk on cgsecurity.org that users may download it for different platforms for free recovery since it is with cross system application. It's the unique program that can be used on MAC, Windows, Linux etc. It's not limited to MAC OS.
What we like
- It can be used on not only Mac but also Windows and other machines
- It supports FAT, NTFS, EXFAT, EXT2/3/4, HFS+ (Almost any types of digital devices)
- It also works with cd-roms besides other common digital storage devices (Most file recovery utility won't provided cd-rom recovery)
What we dislike - It's Dos built with not easy to use user interface (We will include video guide on this page for you to follow), restricted to image formats (It can be extended with its another freeware TestDisk mentioned in the coming #4 freeware)
Download link: https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download
Recuva Free Download
(This program is bundled with TestDisk, another program from the same developer)
PhotoRec
PhotoRec Video tutorial - how to use PhotoRec to recover files on MAC
Hard Drive Recovery Software Mac
#4 - TestDisk for Mac Review [100% freeware]
Since TestDisk is in the same bundle with PhotoRec that you may find it is another useful recovery tool not limited to MAC but it can be used on other OS machines.
TestDisk VS PhotoRec
TestDisk has everything included in PhotoRec and it adds other functions that can easily rebuild broken file tables, boot sectors, and even make non-bootable hard drives bootable again. It could restore more files than PhotoRec, not limited to image format.
What we like
- It supports FAT, NTFS, exFAT, ext2/ext3/ext4, HFS+, and many other file systems.
- It could fix many errors and problems on your digital devices.
- Cross platforms that can be used on almost any machines, any os
Free Usb Recovery Software Mac
How to find excel version. What we dislike
The tool is excellent for advanced computing users; unfortunately, it’s not easy to take advantage of all the features TestDisk for Mac offers because this data recovery tool lacks a graphical user interface.
Download link: https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download
TestDisk Video Tutorial
Free Data Recovery Software Mac
#5 - Exif Untrasher [100% free for photo recovery]
Exif Untrasher
As a photo recovery freeware on MAC, Exif Untrasher provides graphyical user interface for users to recover photos free of charge.
Download url: https://www.bluem.net/files/Exif-Untrasher.dmg
Part 2 - More Free Mac Data Recovery Software [Not completely free]
Here are some other free data recovery software for mac but not 100% free of charge since most of them are limited to 1GB free recovery that users need to pay to get a license key to activate the full functions.
They would still worth your trial if your device could not be recovered by the freeware in the first part.
- #6 - Easeus Data Recovery Wizard for Mac [1GB free file recovery]
- #7 - Stellar Data Recovery for Mac [1GB free recovery]
- #8 - Ontrack EasyRecovery for MAC [1GB free file recovery] Download link
- #9 - M3 Mac Data Recovery [1GB free file recovery]
- #10 - Disk Dril Data Recovery for Mac [Only free to back up files, no free recovery for a single file]
FAQs
Free Mac Data Recovery Software Download
???Data recovery software mac free. download full version
There are excellent mac data recovery utilities with paid functions and some users want to download these data recovery software mac full version with key or series numbers, however downloading the mac file recovery software full version crack is risky since some adware or spywere are always built in the cracks.
We would strongly recommend you use the mac data recovery freeware listed on this page other than downloading the full version cracks.
- Free for Windows? -> 100% free data recovery software for Windows
- Free for Android? -> 100% free android phone data recovery
Last updated on April 12, 2021
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