Top 3 Free Mac Data Recovery Software [Latest- 2026]

Data loss on your Mac – whether due to accidental deletion, drive formatting, emptied trash, corrupted volumes, macOS upgrade failures, etc. – can be distressing. If you ever encounter files or folders missing from your Mac, don’t worry. Fortunately, there are several free Mac data recovery software tools available that you can try to recover your lost data on Mac without any cost. In this article, we’ll explore the top 3 free Mac data recovery software in 2026 that offer quick and smooth data recovery. Let’s get started!

Prerequisites for Data Recovery on Mac

Before you proceed with any free Mac data recovery software to restore lost files, it’s important to understand the essential prerequisites that significantly increase your chances of successful data recovery.

Here are certain prerequisites that you need to ensure before starting data recovery on macOS:

01. Avoid Using the Affected Drive

When you encounter data loss on your macOS (including APFS and HFS+ systems), immediately avoid saving new files on it. Deleted data is not immediately erased from your PC. Instead, the space it occupied is marked as “Available” for new data. Any new data written to the disk can overwrite that space permanently.

02. Identify the Exact Cause of Data Loss

Different data recovery scenarios require different approaches. Identifying the exact cause can help you determine adequate data recovery workaround and preventive measures to avoid data loss on your PC.

03. Check macOS Version Compatibility

Before installing any free Mac data recovery software, confirm it supports your version of macOS, especially newer releases like:

• macOS Sonoma
• macOS Sequoia

Also, ensure it is compatible with:

• Intel Macs
• Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4 chips)

Modern recovery tools are optimised for APFS, which is now standard on SSD-based Macs.

04. Ensure Sufficient System Permissions

macOS includes strong security protections that can block recovery tools from scanning drives. Before scanning:

• Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Enable Full Disk Access for your recovery software.
• Restart the software.

Without this permission, scans may return incomplete results.

2026 Guide: Top 3 Free Mac Data Recovery Software

Here are the top 3 data recovery software that can help Mac users to restore lost files without any cost:

1: Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac

2: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free

3: Disk Drill by CleverFiles

Carefully compare the features of these tools, then select the one that best fits your needs. Let’s discuss these free Mac data recovery software tools one-by-one in detail:

1: Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac

Stellar Data Recovery Free is an all-in-one Free Mac data recovery software that can help you restore files deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, system errors, drive partition corruption, and many other reasons. It combines powerful scanning algorithms, broad file-type support, and a user-friendly interface, making it a top choice for both beginners and experienced users. Although the software is available in multiple paid versions, the free version lets you scan for lost data and preview recoverable files.

Key Features of Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac:

• It allows you to restore up to 1 GB of deleted files for free. To recover larger files, you can upgrade to premium versions.
• Restore deleted files of multiple file types, such as photos, videos, documents, music, emails, or even an entire deleted folder.
• It supports recovery of deleted data from all Mac devices and compatible storage media, including HDDs, SSDs, external drives, USBs, and SD cards.
• The Stellar Data Recovery Free For Mac software is compatible with Apple M1, M2, M3, M4, & T2 Chips.
• It offers both quick scan and deep scan to locate files, whether they are recently deleted or removed after formatting.

Here’s how to recover deleted data using the Stellar Data Recovery Free software:

Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Free software on your Mac. Launch the software and from the homepage, select the type of file you need to restore and click Next.

Step 2: Choose the storage drive where your deleted data was earlier stored and tap “Scan” to initiate the scanning process.

Step 3: Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable files and click Recover to save them at desired location on your device.

2: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free for Mac

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free is a professional Mac data recovery software, designed to help Mac users retrieve deleted or lost files without paying for a license. The software is compatible with modern macOS systems and supports Apple file systems such as APFS and HFS+. It is mainly known for its simple interface, powerful scanning technology, and reliable recovery performance. The Free version somehow offers limited file size recovery, but you can upgrade to the Pro version to enjoy all features.

Key Features of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Software:

• The free version can let you recover deleted files of various types, such as photos, videos, documents, audio files, emails, and many more.
• It is compatible with various internal or external storage devices, internal Mac SSD or HDD, USB flash drives, memory cards, and other storage media.
• The software supports popular file systems used on Macs, including APFS, HFS+, FAT32, and exFAT.
• The free version includes a preview feature that lets you preview the recoverable files before restoring them.

When to Use EaseUS?

This free Mac data recovery software is best for:

• You lost a small amount of important data.
• You want to test recovery results before purchasing software.
• You prefer a simple interface instead of command-line tools.
• You need quick recovery from deleted files or emptied trash.

3: Disk Drill by CleverFiles

Disk Drill is widely regarded as one of the most complete free Mac data recovery software tools, mainly known for its amazing features. It combines powerful scanning algorithms, broad file-type support, and a user-friendly interface, which makes it a top choice for both beginners and experienced users. It supports M1 to M5 chips and macOS Tahoe with precision reliability. The software also allows you to preview the recoverable files before saving them on your Mac.

Key Features of Disk Drill:

• It works with various internal and external storage devices, including SSDs and HDDs, USB flash drives, memory cards, and more.
• Its Preview feature allows you to preview the recoverable files before saving them on your Mac.
• This free Mac data recovery software is compatible with APFS, HFS+, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS formats.
• Its deep scan algorithms help to locate hidden or corrupted files across multiple storage systems.
• Offers Time Machine integration that helps restore deleted files from earlier backups.

When to Use Disk Drill?

You can choose Disk Drill to restore files by performing a comprehensive recovery with strong scanning performance across multiple file systems and devices. It’s especially useful when:

• You’ve erased important files from a Mac’s internal or external drive.
• You’re unsure what types of files were lost.
• You want to preview features before spending money.

Wrapping Up

Unexpected data loss can be stressful, and not knowing the right method to recover your files can make the situation even more frustrating. Don’t worry, the aforementioned top 3 free Mac data recovery software tools can help you restore your deleted files even without any prior backup. You must carefully check the features of these recovery tools and then select the one that best fits your needs. If the versions fail to provide you desired recovery results, you can upgrade to premium versions for more features.

Commonly Asked FAQs

Are free Mac data recovery software tools really that safe?

Yes, some professional tools like Stellar Data Recovery Free for Mac, Disk Drill, etc., are 100% safe and secure. You can even explore some other options, then select the one that best fits your needs.

Is it possible to recover permanently deleted files on Mac?

If you’ve prior backup of your lost files, data recovery can be easily executed. However, without backup, you can use professional tools to restore your permanently deleted files as long as they are not overwritten.

How can I improve the chances of successful data recovery on Mac?

You can consider preventive measures such as avoiding saving files on the affected drive, running the recovery scan as soon as possible, etc., to make data recovery quick and easy. Taking quick action helps prevent deleted files from being permanently overwritten.