Top 6 Free Undelete Software for Mac: Complete Guide (2025)

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Accidentally deleting important files on your Mac can be frustrating, especially when they're not in the Trash anymore. Whether it's cherished family photos, essential work documents, or large media files, losing data is never convenient. Fortunately, there are several free undelete software tools for Mac that can help you recover lost files without spending a dime.

In this guide, we'll cover the best free undelete software for macOS, compare features, and walk you through how to use these tools effectively. If you're unsure whether recovery is still possible or which free tool is right for you, you're in the right place.

Common Causes of File Deletion on Mac

Before choosing a recovery tool, it's helpful to understand how files are lost on macOS:

• Accidental Deletion: Hitting Command + Delete or dragging files to the Trash and emptying it too soon.
• Drive Formatting: Accidentally formatting a volume without a backup.
• Corrupted Partitions: macOS drive or partition becoming unreadable due to file system errors.
• macOS Upgrades or Crashes: System instability leading to file loss.
• Virus or Malware: Though rare on Mac, infections can delete or encrypt files.

When these situations occur, your best chance of recovery is to act quickly before the deleted data is overwritten.

Can You Really Recover Files for Free on Mac?

Yes, many tools offer free file recovery - but there are caveats:

• Soft Delete: Files sent to Trash can often be restored easily.
• Hard Delete: Files bypassing Trash or from formatted drives can still be recovered as long as their disk space hasn't been overwritten.
• Free Tools: Many offer scan and preview for free, while some allow limited recovery (like up to 1 ~ 2GB). Others are open-source and truly free.

Keep in mind: the more you use the affected drive, the lower your chances of successful recovery.

Key Features to Look for in Free Undelete Software

When choosing an undelete tool, consider:

• macOS support (including macOS Tahoe, Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura).
• Compatibility with file systems (APFS, HFS+, exFAT, FAT32).
• Support for SSDs, external hard drives, and USBs.
• File preview before recovery.
• User-friendliness and tech support.
• Recovery cap in free version.

Top 6 Free Undelete Software for Mac

Let's explore some of the best free undelete tools for Mac users:

1. Donemax Data Recovery for Mac

Overview: Donemax Data Recovery for Mac offers trial version for free scanning, finding all lost files, saving up to 200MB files for free. It not only can recover permanently deleted files, but it also can recover formatted, corrupted, inaccessible files and deleted volume on Mac.

Best for: Recover deleted, formatted or lost files from local disk or external device on Mac.

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2. PhotoRec (by CGSecurity)

Overview: Open-source, command-line based software. But it is not easy-to-use. If you are a IT professional, you can use it to recover lost files on Mac for free.

Best for: Advanced users comfortable with terminal commands.

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3. Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery

Overview: Freeware for data recovery in old OS X versions.

Best for: Users looking for a GUI-based, beginner-friendly option.

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4. TestDisk (Companion to PhotoRec)

Overview: Open-source and free undelete software for Mac.

Best for: Repairing partitions or recovering boot records.

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5. Do Your Data Recovery

Overview: A comprehensive data recovery software for Mac to recover files on Mac.

Best for: Recovery from APFS-formatted drives and startup disks.

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6. Magoshare Data Recovery for Mac

Type: Advanced recovery software for recovering deleted files on Mac.

Best for: Casual users needing to recover less than 200MB of data.

Limitations of Free Undelete Software for Mac

While these tools are helpful, keep these drawbacks in mind:

• Recovery Limits: Most free tools cap recovery at 1 ~ 2GB.
• File Integrity: Recovered files may be corrupted or incomplete.
• No Support: Open-source tools offer no technical support.
• Not for All File Systems: Some tools don't support APFS or encrypted drives.
• No Deep Repair: Don't fix damaged videos or documents ~ only recover.

When to Consider Paid Tools or Services

Free undelete software is great for simple, recent deletions. But you may need professional help if:

• Files were deleted long ago and overwritten.
• File previews show corruption.
• You need to recover large files or entire drives.
• Your Mac doesn't detect the drive at all.

In these cases, consider premium tools like Donemax Data Recovery Full Version - or turn to professional data recovery services.

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How to Undelete Files on Mac For Free?

Let's walk through how to use Do Your Data Recovery for Mac to undelete files:

Step 1. Download and install the reliable free undelete software for Mac - Do Your Data Recovery for Mac.

Step 2. Open Do Your Data Recovery for Mac, choose the drive where you delete or lose your files to start data recovery.

Step 3. Click on Scan button to deeply scan the drive and find all recoverable files.

Step 4. Once the scan gets finished, you can preview all recoverable files. Then select the wanted files, click on Recover button to save them.

Tips to Improve File Recovery Success on Mac

1. Stop Using the Affected Drive Immediately

As soon as you realize you've lost files, stop using the drive or volume where the files were stored. This is especially important if you're working on your Mac's internal drive.

2. Avoid Installing Recovery Software on the Same Drive

Never install file recovery software on the same drive where your lost files were located.

3. Save Recovered Files to a Different Drive

When the recovery tool presents a list of found files, always save recovered files to a different disk or partition.

4. Run a Deep Scan if Quick Scan Doesn't Work

Most free recovery tools offer two scan options:

• Quick Scan
• Deep Scan

5. Use File Filters to Narrow Down Results

Many recovery tools let you filter by file type, extension, date, or size.

6. Always Preview Before Recovery

Best undelete tools offer a file preview function. Use it to:

• Confirm the file is intact and not corrupted
• Ensure you're not recovering duplicate or unnecessary files

7. Try Multiple Recovery Tools

No single tool catches everything. If one program fails to find your files or delivers incomplete results, try another.

8. Make a Disk Image Before Recovery (Optional but Recommended)

Some tools (like Donemax Disk Clone for Mac or professional utilities) let you create a disk image (DMG or ISO) of the affected drive.

9. Keep Your macOS Updated (After Recovery)

After your recovery attempt, it's safe to update your system again.

10. Backup After Recovery

Once you've recovered your files, set up a Time Machine backup or use third-party tools like Donemax Disk Clone for Mac.

Conclusion

Mac users have a range of powerful free undelete tools at their disposal. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, tools like PhotoRec, Lazesoft, and Donemax Data Recovery offer real file recovery options without spending money. However, be aware of the limitations: most free versions limit recovery size or features, and some require technical knowledge.

If you act fast, avoid overwriting data, and choose the right tool for your needs, you can often recover your lost files successfully. Start with a free solution, and if that fails, consider premium recovery options or consult a professional.

FAQs About Free Undelete Software for Mac

Q1: Can I recover files deleted from Trash on Mac?

Yes, but only if they haven't been overwritten. Use a free tool like PhotoRec or Donemax Data Recovery for a quick scan. If quick scan can't find the deleted files, try deep scan.

Q2: Are free undelete tools safe?

Yes, as long as you download from official sources like CGSecurity.org or vendor websites.

Q3: Can I recover files from an external drive?

Yes, most tools support USB flash drives, SD cards, and external HDDs or SSDs.