How to Find Deleted Pictures on Mac
Losing important pictures on your Mac can be a distressing experience. Whether they were accidentally deleted or lost due to a system crash, the thought of never seeing them again can be overwhelming. However, there are several methods you can use to recover deleted pictures on your Mac. In this article, we will discuss some of the most effective ways to find deleted pictures on your Mac and get them back.
1. Check the Trash
The first and simplest place to look for deleted pictures on your Mac is the Trash. When you delete a file, it is often moved to the Trash instead of being permanently deleted. To check the Trash:
1. Open the Trash by clicking on its icon on the Dock or by navigating to Finder > Trash.
2. Once in the Trash, look for the deleted pictures. You can search for the pictures by name or use the “Sort by” feature to arrange the files by date, type, or size.
3. If you find the deleted pictures, right-click on them and select “Put Back” to restore them to their original location.
2. Use the “Recently Deleted” Folder
If you are using macOS Mojave or later, you may have a “Recently Deleted” folder in your Finder. This folder stores deleted files for a certain period of time (30 days by default) before they are permanently deleted. To access the “Recently Deleted” folder:
1. Open Finder and navigate to the location where your deleted pictures might have been stored (e.g., Pictures, Desktop, etc.).
2. Look for a folder named “Recently Deleted” in the sidebar. If you don’t see it, you may need to enable it by going to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar and checking the “Recently Deleted” box.
3. Open the “Recently Deleted” folder and search for your deleted pictures. If you find them, drag them back to their original location or right-click and select “Put Back.”
3. Use File Recovery Software
If the above methods do not work, you can try using file recovery software to recover deleted pictures on your Mac. There are several reputable third-party tools available, such as:
– CCleaner File Recovery
– Drive Genius
– Wondershare Recoverit
To use file recovery software:
1. Download and install the chosen software on your Mac.
2. Open the software and select the drive or folder where your deleted pictures were stored.
3. Start the scanning process. The software will search for deleted files and display them in a list.
4. Preview the deleted pictures and select the ones you want to recover.
5. Choose a location to save the recovered pictures and click “Recover” to restore them to your Mac.
4. Contact a Professional Data Recovery Service
If all else fails, you may need to contact a professional data recovery service. These services have advanced tools and expertise to recover deleted pictures from damaged or corrupted storage devices. However, this option can be expensive and may not always guarantee a successful recovery.
In conclusion, finding deleted pictures on your Mac is not an impossible task. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of recovering your precious memories. Remember to act quickly, as the longer you wait, the higher the risk of permanent data loss.
