MacBook data recovery
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro storage varies across model years. Find guidance for missing documents, Photos libraries, liquid damage, startup failures, SSDs, FileVault and Time Machine.
12 guides
Files & documents
Find missing MacBook documents, earlier versions, cloud copies and Time Machine backups before changing the disk that held the only copy.
Photos & libraries
Check MacBook Photos libraries, Recently Deleted, iCloud originals and Time Machine before repairing a library or changing its sync settings.
Liquid damage
Protect MacBook data after a spill, separate wet-port advice from internal damage, and understand when the original hardware matters for recovery.
Physical damage
Work out whether a damaged MacBook has a display problem, inaccessible storage or board damage, and protect its data before arranging repair.
Not turning on
Distinguish a MacBook power problem from a blank display, make limited safe checks, and preserve data before firmware or hardware work.
Not booting
Protect MacBook files when startup stalls, use the correct transfer mode, and separate copying data from First Aid, reinstall and firmware restore.
SSD recovery
Identify MacBook storage architecture, distinguish SSD failure from deletion, and understand hardware encryption and the limits of chip-level recovery.
FileVault & passwords
Identify the correct MacBook login or FileVault recovery key, use authorised recovery options, and understand why account recovery does not guarantee disk access.
Time Machine
Choose useful Time Machine backup dates, restore selected MacBook files or migrate to a healthy Mac, and protect an unreadable backup disk.
Deleted files
Check MacBook Trash, cloud recovery windows and retained snapshots, while avoiding new writes and unrealistic SSD undelete promises.
Erased MacBook
Identify how a MacBook was erased, distinguish cryptographic erasure from other loss, and look for independent backups without promises of SSD recovery.
External drives
Check why a MacBook cannot access an external disk, distinguish visibility, connection and encryption problems, and preserve a failing or erased drive.
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Model first. Then method.
Tell an assessor the exact model, what changed and which files matter. For MacBook, the guide links below each section explain the basis of the advice. The specialist link identifies an external provider; it is not a booking through this website.