{"id":45735,"date":"2022-11-30T17:08:54","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T17:08:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/?p=45735"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:44:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T14:44:00","slug":"how-to-recover-data-from-an-ssd-on-a-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/mac-ssd-data-recovery.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Recover Data from an SSD on a Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"

SSD data recovery on Mac is not that complicated if you use the right tools and prepare adequately. SSDs are generally more resilient and don\u2019t fail as often as HDDs, but they are still not immune to data loss.<\/p>\r\n

And while keeping consistent backups is of course always important, sometimes you\u2019re hit by sudden loss of data and there\u2019s nothing you can do other than attempt to recover what you\u2019ve lost. Let\u2019s see what your options are.<\/p>\r\n

<\/span>Is It Possible to Recover Data from an SSD on a Mac?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Mac SSD data recovery is not too different from recovering from a regular hard drive. The most important thing to consider here is whether your disk is using TRIM (more on that below). If you want to recover data from a Mac with an SSD, you should either use specialized software for the purpose, or send your disk to a recovery center if that fails.<\/p>\r\n

Like recovering data from other storage devices, continued use still matters\u2014but with SSDs (especially internal ones), there\u2019s an extra factor to consider. Modern macOS systems rely on TRIM, which can actively clear deleted data blocks in the background. This means that even if you stop using the drive, the data may still become unrecoverable over time. External SSDs, on the other hand, don\u2019t always support TRIM, which is why recovery chances there are often higher. In any case, the sooner you act after data loss, the better your chances.<\/div>\r\n

If you opened this guide looking for a way to handle Mac SSD recovery for an internal drive, it\u2019s important to set expectations early. It doesn\u2019t mean you should give up without trying. You can still follow the steps from a desktop file recovery guide<\/a> to check what data can still be recovered.<\/p>\r\n

And of course, if you have any backups or copies of your files, that can save you. Take a moment to check if those files exist elsewhere (use Spotlight to search your Mac, and also look through your email or iCloud to see if the data is still available there).<\/p>\r\n

<\/span>How Does TRIM Affect SSD Recovery on a Mac?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

TRIM is a special command used with SSDs which informs the drive that specific pieces of data are safe to delete. Normally, data is not physically erased from the disk, but is just overwritten. When something is marked as \u201cdeleted\u201d, what happens in reality is that the space occupied by that data is marked as free, allowing applications to write over it.<\/p>\r\n

Because of this, you can still recover files after they\u2019ve been deleted, but you need specialized tools for that.<\/p>\r\n

With TRIM, data is permanently removed once those blocks are freed up, which means it can no longer be recovered, even with advanced tools. On modern macOS systems, TRIM is enabled by default for internal SSDs, so in most cases, once it does its job, recovery is no longer possible. Because of this, the only reliable protection against data loss on SSDs is having proper backups in place. \"trim<\/div>\r\n

When it comes to external drives, the situation is often more favorable. TRIM support there depends on the SSD controller, connection type (Thunderbolt), and the file system used (APFS or HFS+). In many real-world cases, TRIM isn’t supported, so deleted data isn\u2019t cleared right away. As a result, external Mac SSD data recovery is often more feasible than internal drive recovery\u2014provided that overwriting is avoided<\/p>\r\n

If the drive continues to be used, new data can overwrite the old one. Because of that, the first recommendation is always to stop using the device immediately and set it aside until you decide on the next steps.<\/p>\r\n

<\/span>How to Recover Data from an SSD on a Mac<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Can you recover data from an SSD on a Mac? Certainly \u2013 there are actually several methods available. It\u2019s recommended to check the Trash<\/b>\u00a0as a first approach, and only use the alternative options if that doesn\u2019t work out.<\/p>\r\n

<\/span>Method 1:<\/span> Check the Trash on Your SSD<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

If your data was lost due to accidental deletion, the first place to check is the Trash on your Mac. When you delete files from an SSD, they are usually moved to the Trash and stay there until you empty it or the system removes them automatically.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Follow these steps to recover files from the Trash:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  1. Open Trash<\/b> from the Dock<\/b>. If your files were stored on an external SSD, connect it to your Mac first.\"open<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Look through the files to find the ones you need.<\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Drag the file to another folder on your Mac, or right-click it and select Put Back<\/b> to restore it to its original location.\"put<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    <\/span>Method 2:<\/span> Use Data Recovery Software to Recover Data from Mac SSD<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

    There are also specialized tools on the market that can assist you with data recovery. Some of those, like Disk Drill<\/strong><\/a>, can even recover data that\u2019s already been deleted. This has one major prerequisite: you must stop using the disk as soon as you\u2019ve deleted files from it. Otherwise, they will get overwritten by processes very quickly.<\/p>\r\n

    If your SSD is not just missing files but also behaves oddly, for example, it disconnects randomly or doesn\u2019t mount reliably, it\u2019s safer to create a byte-to-byte backup<\/a> of the drive first, and then scan that copy instead of the original device. This helps avoid interruptions if the SSD disconnects during the process and reduces the risk of further data loss. You can do both the backup and the scan directly in Disk Drill without needing any additional tools.<\/div>\r\n

    To use Disk Drill <\/b>to recover your data, follow these steps:<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n\t
    1. Download<\/a> and install Disk Drill, then launch the software.
      \r\n
      \r\n
      \r\n
      \r\n \"Disk \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
      \r\n download-block-title<\/b>
      \r\n download-block-text\r\n <\/div>\r\n
      \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/svg>\r\ndownload-block-button-text\r\n<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div><\/li>\r\n\t
    2. Choose your drive from the list and click Search for lost data<\/strong>. If you created a disk image beforehand, click Attach disk image<\/strong> at the bottom and select it instead.\"select<\/li>\r\n\t
    3. \u00a0If prompted, choose the scan type. Start with the Universal scan<\/strong>. The Advanced Camera Recovery option was designed to recover fragmented videos<\/a> from cameras and drones, so you can run it as a second scan if needed.\"select<\/li>\r\n\t
    4. Wait for the scan to finish, then click Review found items<\/strong>.\"scan<\/li>\r\n\t
    5. You will now see a list of all files and folders that you can recover. Go through the list and select any files you want to get back. Once you\u2019re done, click Recover<\/strong> to save them.\"select<\/li>\r\n\t
    6. Choose a location separate from your SSD in all cases and click Next<\/strong>. Otherwise, you risk corrupting your data by writing directly over it.\"select<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

      <\/span>Method 3:<\/span> \u00a0Check Your SSD for Errors Using Disk Utility<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

      Disk Utility <\/b>is not a MacBook SSD data recovery tool and won\u2019t help you get back files that you\u2019ve deleted. However, it can still be useful if your drive is not physically damaged but behaves incorrectly, for example, it\u2019s not recognized by the operating system, files disappear on their own, or folders become inaccessible.<\/p>\r\n

      In those cases, Disk Utility can analyze the SSD\u2019s file system and attempt to fix any errors it finds. Keep in mind that this process modifies the drive\u2019s structure, so it\u2019s best to run it only after you\u2019ve recovered your data or created a disk image.<\/p>\r\n

      To attempt to recover your drive using Disk Utility<\/b>, simply follow these steps:<\/p>\r\n

        \r\n\t
      1. Start Disk Utility<\/b><\/li>\r\n\t
      2. Choose your drive from the left-side list<\/li>\r\n\t
      3. Click First Aid <\/b>at the top\"first<\/li>\r\n\t
      4. Click Run\"run<\/b><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

        Your computer will now attempt to recover and mount the disk properly. If this works, you should be able to access it as you normally do through the operating system.<\/p>\r\n

        <\/span>Method 4:<\/span> Send Your SSD to a Data Recovery Service<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

        If the above options don\u2019t work out, you can also consider sending your drive to a data recovery center. Cleverfiles Data Recovery Center<\/a> is a well-known example on this market. These services have advanced technological capabilities that allow them to access data which would normally be inaccessible via regular methods.<\/p>\r\n

        \"data<\/p>\r\n

        This often involves disassembling the disk and accessing the data stored on it directly. This is a risky process if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re doing, as it can lead to permanent damage to your SSD.<\/p>\r\n

        A professional data recovery service is the only reasonable option if your SSD has suffered physical damage (for example, if it was dropped or visibly deformed). Attempting to handle such drives at home is not recommended. As soon as you open the SSD, you void any remaining warranty, and if you later decide to contact to professionals, they may refuse to work with a previously opened device.<\/div>\r\n

        Keep in mind that data recovery centers are still not guaranteed to get your data back. Depending on how it was lost, and what you\u2019ve been doing with the drive since then, it\u2019s possible that it\u2019s gone forever. As a general rule, you should send in your disk as soon as you\u2019ve realized that you\u2019ve lost data from it.<\/p>\r\n

        You should also prepare to wait a long time until you get your drive back, and possibly pay a high fee for the recovery.<\/p>\r\n

        <\/span>How and When Do SSDs Fail?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

        One major advantage of SSDs compared to regular hard drives is that they don\u2019t use any moving parts for data storage. In a hard drive, data is stored on magnetic plates which are constantly spinning and are read by a moving arm.<\/p>\r\n

        This makes HDDs very susceptible to physical damage. One light hit could be enough to completely destroy a hard drive and make it unusable.<\/p>\r\n

        SSDs don\u2019t suffer from this problem. They are very resilient to physical damage. However, they have a limitation in terms of how long they can be used. The NAND memory used in SSDs has a limited lifespan, measured in read\/write cycles. Once that limit is reached, your disk will start to die.<\/p>\r\n

        Usually, an SSD can last for a good 7-10 years before it dies. This depends on how actively you use it though. If you\u2019re an avid gamer, for example, your SSDs might not last as long, as games will constantly read data from the disk.<\/p>\r\n

        To stay on top of your SSD\u2019s condition, it\u2019s worth monitoring its health regularly. You can use Disk Drill, mentioned earlier in the Mac SSD data recovery section, specifically its S.M.A.R.T. monitoring feature. It tracks key parameters (wear level, reallocated blocks, read\/write errors), which are usually enough to warn you when the SSD starts approaching the end of its lifespan.<\/p>\r\n

        <\/span>Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

        To sum up, recovering data from an SSD on a Mac depends on the type of drive. On internal SSDs, the chances are usually moderate to low, especially if TRIM has already cleared the data. In these cases, having a backup system in place is far more important than any recovery attempt. On external SSDs, the chances are often much higher. In both cases, acting quickly and avoiding further use of the drive can improve the outcome.<\/p>\r\n

        At the same time, it\u2019s not something you want to deal with more than once. To reduce the chances of running into data loss again, there are some general precautions you can take to stay on the safe side:<\/p>\r\n