Did you just delete a file on your Mac and want to recover it? In many cases, you can still recover data through the Recycle Bin, Time Machine, iCloud Drive, or other backups. However, the chances of successful recovery will depend on where the file was saved, how it was deleted, and the type of drive your Mac is using.

If the file was permanently deleted from the internal SSD on Macs using Apple Silicon chips or Intel Macs with the T2 security chip, recovery without a backup is often very difficult. Conversely, older Intel Macs or external hard drives sometimes allow for easier data recovery if you act promptly.

This guide will help you understand how to recover deleted files on macOS, starting with the simplest and quickest methods before moving on to more advanced solutions.

What should you do immediately after accidentally deleting a file on your Mac?

Before attempting any recovery method, it's crucial to minimize writing new data to the drive containing the lost files. Avoid downloading new files, installing recovery software directly onto the affected drive, or copying large amounts of data to it, as these actions can overwrite old data and render recovery impossible.

You should also accurately identify where the files were stored before being deleted. For example:

Files stored in iCloud Drive may still be in the “Recently Deleted” folder.
Files on an external hard drive may still be in the Recycle Bin if that drive is connected.
Files on the Desktop, Downloads, or Documents folder may have been saved by Time Machine if you previously enabled backups.

Identifying the correct storage location will help you choose a more appropriate and effective recovery method.

Check if the file has been permanently deleted.
Before using data recovery software, check if the file is still in locations that are easier to recover.
Start with the Recycle Bin on macOS. If the file is still there, you can recover it in seconds. However, if you've emptied the Recycle Bin, permanently deleted it using a keyboard shortcut, or deleted the file from a cloud storage service, the chances of recovery will depend on your backup or the state of the drive.
For Macs using Apple Silicon or Intel T2 chips, data on SSDs is often encrypted at the hardware level. When data is deleted, the decryption key may also be erased, making recovery without a backup nearly impossible. Meanwhile, external hard drives or older Intel Macs may still allow recovery software to access any remaining data.
Where are deleted files usually stored? Recycle Bin on macOS
When you delete a regular file, macOS moves it to the Recycle Bin instead of deleting it immediately. This makes it easier to recover if you accidentally delete it.
To recover:
Open the Recycle Bin from the Dock.
Find the file you want to recover.
Right-click and select “Reset” or “Restore”.
The file will return to its original location.
You can also drag the file directly from the Recycle Bin to another folder.

If the file is no longer in the Recycle Bin, you'll need to try other methods such as Time Machine, iCloud Drive, or data recovery software.
Recovering files using Time Machine
If you previously enabled Time Machine, this is one of the most effective ways to recover lost data on your Mac.
Time Machine is Apple's built-in backup tool, allowing you to revert to older versions of files or folders. In addition to backups on external drives, macOS can also create local snapshots on APFS drives, helping to recover recent data even when the backup drive is not connected.
How to recover using Time Machine

Open the folder containing the file before it was deleted.

Press Command + Space and search for “Time Machine”.

Open Time Machine.
Use the timeline to go back to a point before the file was deleted.
Select the file or folder you want to recover.

Press “Restore”.

Time Machine will automatically return the data to its original location.
Note that local snapshots are often only saved for a short time, so you should perform the recovery as soon as possible.
Recovering data from iCloud Drive
If your files are synced with iCloud Drive, Apple may still keep a copy in the “Recently Deleted” folder.
Recovering from the “Recently Deleted” folder
Go to iCloud.com and sign in to your Apple account.
Open iCloud Drive.
Select the “Recently Deleted” folder.
Select the file you want to recover.
Tap “Recover”.
Typically, iCloud keeps deleted files for up to 30 days before permanently deleting them.
Recovering an older version of a file
Some apps, such as Pages, Numbers, or apps that support version control, may save edit history. This allows you to revert to a previous version of a document if the file is incorrectly edited or overwritten.
This feature works best with documents stored in iCloud Drive and edited using an application that supports version control.
Recovering files after formatting a drive
Formatting a hard drive doesn't always erase data immediately. In some cases, recovery software can still find old data if it hasn't been overwritten.
However, on modern Macs using Apple Silicon or Intel T2 chips, APFS partitions are often encrypted by default. When the drive is erased, the encryption key may also be destroyed, making the data unreadable.
If the drive is an unencrypted external drive, the chances of recovery are higher, especially if you stop using the drive immediately after discovering the data loss.
When should you use data recovery software?

If the Recycle Bin, Time Machine, and iCloud don't help, data recovery software may be the next option.
These tools scan the drive directly for remaining data. However, the chances of success depend on whether the data has been overwritten.
On modern SSDs, TRIM technology can automatically erase data blocks that have been marked for deletion, significantly reducing the chances of recovery.
Before using recovery software:
Do not install the software on the same drive where data was lost.
Do not copy any new data to that drive.
Only use tools from reputable developers.
Recovering data from a faulty or damaged hard drive
If the hard drive has suffered physical damage or system failure, recovery will be much more difficult.
Signs of a hard drive malfunctioning:
Files open very slowly.
The Mac frequently freezes when accessing data.
The drive disconnects itself.
Clicking or grinding noises are coming from the external hard drive.
Files are corrupted or cannot be opened.
What to do:
Stop using the drive immediately.
Do not attempt to mount or restart it multiple times.
Copy important data if the drive is still accessible.
Use Disk Utility and First Aid to check for errors.
If the hard drive shows signs of serious physical damage, you should consider using a professional recovery service instead of continuing to try to fix it yourself.
How to choose data recovery software for Mac:
Not all recovery tools are reliable. When choosing software, prioritize:
Reputable developers.
Read-only data scanning.
No requirement to upload data to a server.
Allows installation on another drive.
Transparent pricing policy.
Also, be wary of "free" tools that require payment to actually recover data or fake software that may contain malware.
How to Prevent Future Data Loss
Data recovery isn't always successful, so regular backups remain the safest solution.
Apply the 3-2-1 Backup Rule
A common backup strategy is:
Keep at least 3 copies of your data.
Save them on 2 different types of devices.
Have one copy in a different location, such as cloud storage.
Example:
Original data on your Mac.
A Time Machine backup on an external hard drive.
Another copy on iCloud Drive.
Enable Time Machine
To set up Time Machine:
Connect the external hard drive.
Open System Settings.
Select Time Machine.

Choose a backup drive.
Turn on automatic backups.
You should also check periodically to ensure your backups are working properly.
Use iCloud Drive securely.
iCloud Drive syncs data between devices and supports recovering deleted files or older versions of documents.
To enable it:
Open System Settings.
Select your Apple ID account.
Go to iCloud.
Turn on iCloud Drive.

Once activated, you can access files on multiple devices, use the “Recently Deleted” folder, and restore previous versions of documents when needed.