{"id":4251,"date":"2024-01-12T15:17:49","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T15:17:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/?p=4251"},"modified":"2024-06-19T13:22:09","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T13:22:09","slug":"recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Recover Files From USB Drive on Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#estimate_your_chances_of_usb_file_recovery_on_mac\" title=\"Estimate Your Chances of USB File Recovery on Mac\">Estimate Your Chances of USB File Recovery on Mac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#how_to_recover_data_from_flash_drive_on_mac\" title=\"How to Recover Data from Flash Drive on Mac\">How to Recover Data from Flash Drive on Mac<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#method_1_restoring_deleted_files_from_a_usb_flash_drive_using_the_recycle_bin\" title=\"Method 1 Restoring Deleted Files from a USB Flash Drive Using the Recycle Bin\">Method 1 Restoring Deleted Files from a USB Flash Drive Using the Recycle Bin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#method_2_use_software_for_usb_data_recovery_on_mac\" title=\"Method 2 Use Software for USB Data Recovery on Mac\">Method 2 Use Software for USB Data Recovery on Mac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#method_2_use_terminal_with_photorec_utility\" title=\"Method 2 Use\u00a0Terminal with PhotoRec Utility\">Method 2 Use\u00a0Terminal with PhotoRec Utility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#method_4_check_if_files_are_hidden\" title=\"Method 4 Check if Files are Hidden\">Method 4 Check if Files are Hidden<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#method_5_use_macs_first_aid_utility\" title=\"Method 5 Use Mac\u2019s First Aid Utility\">Method 5 Use Mac\u2019s First Aid Utility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#method_6_professional_data_recovery_services\" title=\"Method 6 Professional Data Recovery Services\">Method 6 Professional Data Recovery Services<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#prevention_tips_avoid_future_data_loss_from_usb_drives\" title=\"Prevention Tips Avoid Future Data Loss from USB Drives\">Prevention Tips Avoid Future Data Loss from USB Drives<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#faq\" title=\"FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#i_formatted_my_usb_drive_on_mac_by_mistake_can_i_still_recover_the_files\" title=\"I formatted my USB drive on Mac by mistake. Can I still recover the files?\">I formatted my USB drive on Mac by mistake. Can I still recover the files?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#can_i_recover_data_from_a_physically_damaged_usb_drive_on_mac\" title=\"Can I recover data from a physically damaged USB drive on Mac?\">Can I recover data from a physically damaged USB drive on Mac?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#is_it_possible_to_recover_encrypted_files_from_a_usb_drive_on_a_mac\" title=\"Is it possible to recover encrypted files from a USB drive on a Mac?\">Is it possible to recover encrypted files from a USB drive on a Mac?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#how_long_does_usb_data_recovery_take_on_a_mac\" title=\"How long does USB data recovery take on a Mac?\">How long does USB data recovery take on a Mac?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#can_i_recover_data_from_a_usb_drive_that_was_used_with_a_different_operating_system_like_windows_or_linux\" title=\"Can I recover data from a USB drive that was used with a different operating system, like Windows or Linux?\">Can I recover data from a USB drive that was used with a different operating system, like Windows or Linux?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Data loss from USB drives on Macs is a common but solvable problem. In this article, we will address this issue head-on, providing clear and straightforward methods to recover deleted files from your Mac\u2019s USB drive. We aim to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively handle data recovery and protection, making sure you\u2019re ready to tackle these challenges with confidence.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"estimate_your_chances_of_usb_file_recovery_on_mac\"><\/span>Estimate Your Chances of USB File Recovery on Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Understanding the likelihood of recovering files from a USB flash drive on your Mac can help set realistic expectations and guide your recovery efforts. The success of retrieving your data largely depends on the nature of the loss. Here\u2019s a breakdown of various scenarios:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>On a Mac, when <strong>files are deleted from a USB drive<\/strong>, they typically go to the Trash unless the drive has been configured differently. This means that recovery is highly likely if you check the Trash and restore the files from there before it is emptied. If the Trash has been emptied, quick action remains vital to prevent overwriting.<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019ve <strong>emptied your Trash after deleting files from your USB drive<\/strong>, recovery becomes a bit more challenging but is still possible. The key is to stop using the drive immediately to prevent overwriting and use a reliable recovery tool that supports deep scans.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Formatting your USB drive<\/strong> often results in a complete reset of the storage, making file recovery more complex. However, with the right recovery tool specifically designed for formatted USB flash drives, you can potentially restore your data before it\u2019s permanently overwritten.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Files that disappeared from your USB drive<\/strong> may still be on the drive, either hidden or lost. To reveal hidden files, use the Finder shortcut (Command + Shift + .). For lost files, employ data recovery software to scan and recover them before they\u2019re overwritten. Recovery chances are high for hidden files unless deleted and good for lost files if they haven\u2019t been overwritten.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each scenario requires a tailored approach to maximize your chances of successful recovery. By understanding these common data loss contexts and acting promptly, you can significantly enhance the likelihood of retrieving your valuable data from a USB flash drive on a Mac.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_recover_data_from_flash_drive_on_mac\"><\/span>How to Recover Data from Flash Drive on Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Recovering files from a USB drive on a Mac can be accomplished through various methods, depending on the nature of the data loss. Here are the steps for several effective recovery methods.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_1_restoring_deleted_files_from_a_usb_flash_drive_using_the_recycle_bin\"><\/span>Method 1: Restoring Deleted Files from a USB Flash Drive Using the Recycle Bin<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019ve deleted files from your USB drive, the first place to check is the Recycle Bin (Trash on a Mac). Deleted files are often moved here before permanent deletion. To restore files:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open the Trash by clicking on its icon in the Dock.<\/li>\n<li>Locate the files you want to recover.<\/li>\n<li>Right-click on the desired file and select \u201cPut Back\u201d to restore it to its original location on the USB drive.<img fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-6061 size-full\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/put-back-files-from-trash-bin-1.jpg\" alt=\"put back files back to USB drive\" width=\"1862\" height=\"945\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This method is simple and effective for files that have not been permanently deleted from the Trash.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_2_use_software_for_usb_data_recovery_on_mac\"><\/span>Method 2: Use Software for USB Data Recovery on Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Disk Drill is a comprehensive data recovery tool for Mac users, designed with a user-friendly interface that simplifies the recovery process. This robust software is equipped with several advantages that make it highly effective for recovering files from USB drives:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Preview Function:<\/strong> Allows you to see files before you recover them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Support for Main File Systems:<\/strong> Works with all major file systems used on USB flash drives, ensuring broad compatibility.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Support for Nearly 400 File Signatures:<\/strong> Enhances the ability to recover a wide array of file types.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Convenient User Interface:<\/strong> Simplifies the recovery process, even for those with minimal technical knowledge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to use Disk Drill to recover files:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/download.html\">Download<\/a> and install Disk Drill from its official website.<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4260 aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/download-disk-drill.jpg\" alt=\"download disk drill\" width=\"1207\" height=\"836\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Launch Disk Drill, and select your drive.<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4261 aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/select-usb-drive.jpg\" alt=\"Disk Drill select drive for recovery\" width=\"1115\" height=\"727\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Once the scan is complete, the results will be categorized into three types:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Existing:<\/strong> These are files that are hidden or still present on the flash drive but not immediately visible.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deleted or Lost:<\/strong> These are files that have been deleted but can still be recovered using file system pointers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reconstructed:<\/strong> These files are reconstructed based on their signatures, which is particularly useful when the file system itself is damaged.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4263 aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/select-files-for-recovery.jpg\" alt=\"select files you wish to recover\" width=\"1159\" height=\"771\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Select the files you wish to recover and choose a safe location on your Mac to save them, make sure it\u2019s not the same USB drive to avoid overwriting.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4262 aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/select-recovery-destination.jpg\" alt=\"select recovery destination\" width=\"1159\" height=\"771\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_2_use_terminal_with_photorec_utility\"><\/span>Method 2: Use\u00a0Terminal with PhotoRec Utility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgsecurity.org\/wiki\/PhotoRec\">PhotoRec<\/a>\u00a0is a powerful, open-source file recovery tool that is especially useful for severe data loss situations. It operates by completely ignoring the file system, making it ideal for scenarios where the file system is corrupted or non-responsive. PhotoRec recovers files solely based on their signatures, and it recognizes approximately 480 file types, enhancing its ability to retrieve a wide range of data from USB flash drives and other storage media. Here\u2019s how to use PhotoRec on your Mac:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgsecurity.org\/wiki\/TestDisk_Download\">Download<\/a> and Install PhotoRec, then launch Terminal on your Mac.<\/li>\n<li>Navigate to Photorec&#8217;s directory and start the program.<\/li>\n<li>Select your USB drive and the file types you wish to recover.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4256 aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/photo-rec-select-drive.jpg\" alt=\"select your drive\" width=\"722\" height=\"488\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Follow the instructions on screen to recover and save your files.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4257 aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/proceed-with-photorec-recovery.jpg\" alt=\"proceed with recovery process\" width=\"722\" height=\"488\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For detailed steps, refer to the PhotoRec <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgsecurity.org\/wiki\/PhotoRec_Step_By_Step\">Step-by-Step Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--default\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>PhotoRec often comes bundled with TestDisk, a tool that complements its file recovery capabilities by focusing on file system health. TestDisk excels in repairing file systems, fixing issues such as damaged boot sectors or corrupt partition tables. While PhotoRec specializes in recovering files regardless of file system integrity, TestDisk restores the overall health of the storage device, enabling it to boot and access partitions that were previously inaccessible. Together, these tools provide a comprehensive solution for recovering data and restoring system functionality after serious issues.<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_4_check_if_files_are_hidden\"><\/span>Method 4: Check if Files are Hidden<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes files on a USB drive may not be visible due to being hidden rather than deleted. Mac users can easily check for and display these hidden files using Finder:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open <strong>Finder<\/strong> on your Mac.<\/li>\n<li>Navigate to the directory where your USB drive is displayed.<\/li>\n<li>Use the shortcut <strong>Command + Shift + .<\/strong> (period key) to toggle the visibility of hidden files in Finder. If any files are hidden, they will now appear.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-6062 size-full\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/show-hidden-files-macOS.jpg\" alt=\"show hidden files and folders on Mac\" width=\"2136\" height=\"1103\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Additionally, the hidden recycle bin folder on your USB drive, which might contain deleted files not visible in the regular Trash, can be viewed using third-party solutions like <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/commander-one-file-manager\/id1035236694?mt=12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Commander One<\/a>. To remove the hidden file flag from files via Terminal:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open <strong>Terminal<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Navigate to the directory containing the hidden files.<\/li>\n<li>Enter the command <strong>chflags nohidden [filename]<\/strong> to remove the hidden attribute from the files.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-6060 size-full\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/clear-hidden-flag-on-files.jpg\" alt=\"remove hidden flag from files\" width=\"2136\" height=\"1103\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This method can reveal files that are not readily visible, providing an easy fix for what might initially seem like data loss.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_5_use_macs_first_aid_utility\"><\/span>Method 5: Use Mac\u2019s First Aid Utility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Mac\u2019s First Aid utility is a built-in tool designed to check and repair file system errors on connected drives, including USB flash drives. Here\u2019s how to use First Aid to potentially recover access to files:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Connect your USB drive to your Mac.<\/li>\n<li>Open Disk Utility (found in the Applications &gt; Utilities folder).<\/li>\n<li>Select your USB drive from the sidebar.<\/li>\n<li>Click on \u201cFirst Aid\u201d and then \u201cRun\u201d to start the diagnostic and repair process.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-6063 size-full\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/use-first-aid-on-usb-drive.jpg\" alt=\"Run First Aid for USB drive\" width=\"2130\" height=\"1118\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--danger\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>While First Aid can often resolve minor disk errors that might prevent file access, it\u2019s important to be aware that in some cases, this process might lead to file loss due to the correction of errors. This is particularly true if there are severe underlying issues with the file system.<\/div>\n<p>Using First Aid can be a quick way to troubleshoot and potentially fix drive issues, but it should be used with caution, especially if the data on the drive is critical and not backed up.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_6_professional_data_recovery_services\"><\/span>Method 6: Professional Data Recovery Services<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When other recovery methods fail or the data loss is severe, professional data recovery services provide a reliable solution. These services use advanced recovery techniques to address complex scenarios, including physical damage and severe logical errors that typical software cannot resolve. They ensure expert handling to maximize recovery chances without causing further damage to the data. While these services can be costly, they often justify the investment for critical, high-value data that is otherwise irreplaceable. Choosing professional services maximizes your recovery opportunities, especially in cases where the data loss is extensive and the stakes are high.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"prevention_tips_avoid_future_data_loss_from_usb_drives\"><\/span>Prevention Tips: Avoid Future Data Loss from USB Drives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now that you, hopefully have recovered your data, it&#8217;s equally important to focus on prevention strategies to safeguard your USB drive data. Implementing these tips can help avoid the need for data recovery in the future.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Regularly back up your data<\/strong> to multiple locations. Cloud services or an external hard drive can be good options.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Always eject your USB drive properly<\/strong> from your Mac. This helps prevent data corruption that might occur if the drive is removed while in use.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep your USB drives in a safe, dry place<\/strong> to avoid physical damage. Also, consider using shock-resistant and waterproof drives.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Encrypting your USB drives<\/strong> can protect your data in case of loss or theft. Tools like FileVault on Mac can be used for encryption.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Regular updates<\/strong> often contain fixes that help in maintaining the stability and security of your devices.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Only use trusted software when transferring or recovering data<\/strong> to avoid malware or bugs that might lead to data loss.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By integrating these practices into your routine, you can significantly\u00a0improve the longevity and reliability of your USB drive, reducing the need for frequent data recovery efforts.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Dealing with data loss from USB drives on a Mac can be intimidating, but it&#8217;s a challenge you can handle with the right methods. This guide has provided you with all important recovery steps, various methods, and preventive measures. By adopting these advices, you&#8217;ll be well-prepared to manage and protect your USB drive data, significantly reducing the risk of future data loss and keeping your data secure.<\/p>\n<section itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><div class=\"panel-group sc_accordion_faq\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\"><h2 class=\"sc_accordion_faq--title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"faq\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq1\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i_formatted_my_usb_drive_on_mac_by_mistake_can_i_still_recover_the_files\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq1\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq1\">\r\n                I formatted my USB drive on Mac by mistake. Can I still recover the files?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq1\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq1\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                Yes, you can still recover files from a USB drive that you formatted by mistake on a Mac. Formatting a drive typically does not erase the files completely; it generally removes the file directory and marks the space as available for new data. To increase your chances of successful recovery, stop using the drive immediately to avoid overwriting the data. Then, use a reliable data recovery software designed for Mac, such as Disk Drill or PhotoRec, which can scan the drive and potentially restore the lost files.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq2\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"can_i_recover_data_from_a_physically_damaged_usb_drive_on_mac\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq2\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq2\">\r\n                Can I recover data from a physically damaged USB drive on Mac?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq2\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq2\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                Physical damage to a USB drive complicates data recovery. Minor physical issues might be resolved with DIY methods, but severe damage often requires professional repair services. The ability to recover data depends on the extent of the damage.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq3\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"is_it_possible_to_recover_encrypted_files_from_a_usb_drive_on_a_mac\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq3\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq3\">\r\n                Is it possible to recover encrypted files from a USB drive on a Mac?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq3\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq3\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                Technically &#8211; yes, but the success rate depends on the encryption method used and whether you have the necessary decryption keys. Without the keys, recovery of encrypted files is highly unlikely.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq4\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_long_does_usb_data_recovery_take_on_a_mac\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq4\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq4\">\r\n                How long does USB data recovery take on a Mac?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq4\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq4\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                The duration varies depending on the size of the USB drive and the extent of the data loss. Simple recoveries can take a few minutes, while extensive recoveries might take several hours or more.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq5\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"can_i_recover_data_from_a_usb_drive_that_was_used_with_a_different_operating_system_like_windows_or_linux\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq5\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq5\">\r\n                Can I recover data from a USB drive that was used with a different operating system, like Windows or Linux?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq5\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq5\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                Yes, it&#8217;s possible. However, you&#8217;ll need a recovery tool that supports the file system used by those operating systems like Disk Drill. Cross-platform compatibility of the recovery tool is key in such cases.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data loss from USB drives on Macs is a common but solvable problem. In this article, we will address this issue head-on, providing clear and straightforward methods to recover deleted files from your Mac\u2019s USB drive. We aim to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively handle data recovery and protection, making [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":1589,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[],"slider-tags":[],"class_list":["post-4251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Recover Files From USB Drive on Mac (6 Methods!)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the simple ways to rescue your important files from a USB drive on your Mac. Don&#039;t lose your data \u2013 recover it now!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Recover Files From USB Drive on Mac (6 Methods!)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the simple ways to rescue your important files from a USB drive on your Mac. Don&#039;t lose your data \u2013 recover it now!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"InsanelyMac Blog - Mac and iOS Reviews\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Best-Tools-and-Methods-to-Recover-Files-from-External-Hard-Drive-on-Mac.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"300\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Yurii Kulynych\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Yurii Kulynych\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Recover Files From USB Drive on Mac (6 Methods!)","description":"Discover the simple ways to rescue your important files from a USB drive on your Mac. Don't lose your data \u2013 recover it now!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Recover Files From USB Drive on Mac (6 Methods!)","og_description":"Discover the simple ways to rescue your important files from a USB drive on your Mac. Don't lose your data \u2013 recover it now!","og_url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/","og_site_name":"InsanelyMac Blog - Mac and iOS Reviews","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":300,"url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Best-Tools-and-Methods-to-Recover-Files-from-External-Hard-Drive-on-Mac.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Yurii Kulynych","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Yurii Kulynych","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/"},"author":{"name":"Yurii Kulynych","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/27f345e24c7e98fc13b189c45f3c23c1"},"headline":"How to Recover Files From USB Drive on Mac","datePublished":"2024-01-12T15:17:49+00:00","dateModified":"2024-06-19T13:22:09+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/"},"wordCount":2188,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Best-Tools-and-Methods-to-Recover-Files-from-External-Hard-Drive-on-Mac.jpg","articleSection":["Guides"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/","url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/","name":"How to Recover Files From USB Drive on Mac (6 Methods!)","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Best-Tools-and-Methods-to-Recover-Files-from-External-Hard-Drive-on-Mac.jpg","datePublished":"2024-01-12T15:17:49+00:00","dateModified":"2024-06-19T13:22:09+00:00","description":"Discover the simple ways to rescue your important files from a USB drive on your Mac. Don't lose your data \u2013 recover it now!","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Best-Tools-and-Methods-to-Recover-Files-from-External-Hard-Drive-on-Mac.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Best-Tools-and-Methods-to-Recover-Files-from-External-Hard-Drive-on-Mac.jpg","width":1920,"height":300,"caption":"Disk Space Analyzers for Mac"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/recover-files-from-usb-drive-on-mac\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Recover Files From USB Drive on Mac"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/","name":"InsanelyMac Blog - Mac and iOS Reviews","description":"Apple, Mac and iOS reviews, news and forums","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Insanelymac","url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/insanelymac-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/insanelymac-logo.png","width":524,"height":168,"caption":"Insanelymac"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/27f345e24c7e98fc13b189c45f3c23c1","name":"Yurii Kulynych","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/yurii-kulynych-150x150.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/yurii-kulynych-150x150.jpg","caption":"Yurii Kulynych"},"description":"Yurii Kulynych is a skilled professional who continues to work in Quality Assurance (QA) for InsanelyMac while also starting to write articles. He has a strong eye for detail and extensive experience in ensuring content quality, especially in areas like data recovery, understanding macOS\/iOS, and storage solutions for Apple devices. Yurii excels in writing easy-to-follow guides and putting together helpful toolkits.","url":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/author\/yurii-kulynych\/"}]}},"modified_by":"vklimansk","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4251"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9287,"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4251\/revisions\/9287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4251"},{"taxonomy":"slider-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/slider-tags?post=4251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}