Top 5 File Recovery Software on Mac for Free

Accidentally deleted a file or formatted your drive? Don’t panic! Mac users have plenty of powerful options to recover their lost data or files. Whether you lost documents, photos, or even entire partitions, using reliable file recovery software on Mac for free can help you restore everything quickly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top tools that stand out for their performance, user-friendliness, and free capabilities. If you’re searching for file recovery software, this list will save you hours of research.

Part 1. 5 Best Free File Recovery Software on MacPart 2. How We Choose the Best File Recovery SoftwarePart 3. Conclusion

Part 1. 5 Best Free File Recovery Software on Mac

1. FoneDog Data Recovery

FoneDog Data Recovery is one of the most reliable and user-friendly file recovery software on Mac for free. While the premium version unlocks all features, the free version allows users to scan and preview recoverable files—a huge plus when diagnosing data loss.

Data Recovery Recover deleted image, document, audio and more files. Get deleted data back from computer (including Recycle Bin) and hard drives. Recover loss data caused by disk accident, operation system crushes and other reasons. Free Download Free Download

Key Features:

• Supports recovery of photos, documents, videos, audio, and more.
• Compatible with Mac internal and external drives, USBs, memory cards, and SSDs.
• Offers both Quick Scan and Deep Scan modes for tailored results.
• Real-time file preview before recovery to verify success chances.

Here are the steps to use FoneDog Data Recovery:

FoneDog has a clean, intuitive interface that suits both beginners and advanced users. Installation is quick, and the software walks you through each step clearly.

1. Start by downloading and installing the FoneDog Data Recovery software on your Mac or Windows computer.
2. Open the software once it's installed on your computer. Choose the recovery mode that suits your situation.
3. Specify the location where you want the software to scan for the files. You can select a specific drive, folder, or an entire partition.
4. Click the "Scan" or "Start" button to begin the scanning process. FoneDog Data Recovery will scan the selected location for deleted or lost files.
5. Once the scanning is complete, you'll see a list of recoverable files. You can preview these files to ensure they're the ones you need.
6. Choose the files you want to recover, and click the "Recover" or "Restore" button.
7. Specify the location where you want the recovered files to be saved. It's recommended to select a different location from where the original files were lost to avoid overwriting.
8. The software will recover the selected files to the location you specified. Once the process is complete, you can access your recovered data.

Unlike many other tools, FoneDog doesn’t overwhelm users with technical jargon. If you’re looking for a trustworthy file recovery software on Mac for free with easy navigation and excellent scan results, FoneDog is a solid pick.

2. Disk Drill for Mac

Disk Drill is one of the most popular names in the data recovery world. The free version offers up to 500MB of data recovery on Mac and supports a wide variety of file systems including HFS+, APFS, and FAT32.

Key Features:

• Deep and quick scan options
• Partition recovery and lost volume restoration
• File preview before recovery

Limitations:

• 500MB recovery cap (unless upgraded)
• Some advanced features are locked behind the paid version

Despite the limitations, Disk Drill remains a strong option for users seeking reliable file recovery software on Mac for free, particularly for smaller files.

3. PhotoRec

PhotoRec is a free and open-source file recovery software on Mac for free that supports over 480 file formats. While its interface is command-line-based, it’s incredibly powerful.

Key Features:

• Works on Mac, Windows, Linux
• Supports recovery from hard drives, USBs, and memory cards
• Can recover deleted photos, videos, documents, and more

Limitations:

• No graphical interface (text-based only)
• May not be beginner-friendly

For tech-savvy users comfortable with a command-line interface, PhotoRec is a completely free and robust tool. It’s a favorite among experienced users for no-cost file recovery.

• Related Article: PhotoRec Full Review and Best Alternative

4. Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery

Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery offers 100% free file recovery with no limitations, making it one of the few fully free tools available.

Key Features:

• Unlimited recovery without upgrades
• Supports HFS/HFS+, FAT, and NTFS file systems
• Restores files from formatted drives and accidental deletions

Limitations:

• Interface is slightly outdated
• No official support for macOS Catalina and above

Still, Lazesoft remains a popular choice for users with older macOS systems looking for completely free file recovery software on Mac for free without hidden costs.

5. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is another top-tier solution that offers up to 2GB of free data recovery.

Key Features:

• Clean and modern interface
• Recovers from trash, USBs, and formatted drives
• Supports a wide variety of file types

Limitations:

• 2GB cap on the free version
• Some advanced features require payment

EaseUS stands out for its sleek design and effectiveness. It’s a great choice for anyone wanting user-friendly file recovery software on Mac for free with generous recovery limits.

Part 2. How We Choose the Best File Recovery Software

Choosing the best file recovery software on Mac for free requires evaluating several critical factors to ensure users get the most value with minimal risk. Here's what we considered when ranking these tools:

1. Free Recovery Limits

We prioritized software that allows actual file recovery without requiring immediate payment. Tools that offer only scanning in free mode were noted, but those that allow up to 500MB–2GB of free recovery were ranked higher.

2. Ease of Use

Not everyone is a tech expert. We looked for software that had intuitive interfaces, clear navigation, and helpful prompts. Tools with overly complex setups or command-line interfaces were ranked lower for beginners, though we acknowledged their power.

3. Compatibility with macOS

We ensured that each tool is compatible with modern macOS versions (Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma). Tools that only support older systems were still included but ranked accordingly.

4. Performance and Recovery Success Rate

Through community feedback, user reviews, and direct testing, we analyzed how well each tool actually performs—especially on files that were deleted, corrupted, or lost after formatting.

5. File Type and Device Support

The best file recovery software on Mac for free must support a broad range of file types and storage devices, from USB sticks to SSDs and external drives.

Part 3. Conclusion

Losing important files on your Mac doesn’t have to be a disaster. With the right file recovery software on Mac for free, you can recover documents, photos, and more without needing a paid subscription, at least for smaller recoveries. Whether you choose the simplicity of FoneDog, the power of PhotoRec, or the reliability of Disk Drill and EaseUS, there's a solution for every user. Always act quickly after data loss to improve your recovery chances—and consider regular backups to stay protected.