Recovering permanently deleted photos on a Mac can seem like a daunting task, but several methods can help you retrieve your lost images. Here are five ways to recover permanently deleted photos on a Mac:

Time Machine

Time Machine is a built-in backup feature for Mac that automatically backs up all of your files, including photos, to an external hard drive. 

If you have set up Time Machine, you can easily restore your deleted photos by following these steps:

  • Connect the external hard drive that contains your Time Machine backup to your Mac.
  • Open Time Machine by clicking on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar or by searching for it in Spotlight.
  • Navigate to the date when your photos were still on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the arrows at the top of the Time Machine window or by using the timeline on the right side of the window.
  • Once you have located your deleted photos, select them and click on the “Restore” button to restore them to their original location.

Third-party software

Many third-party software programs can help you recover deleted photos on a Mac. These programs work by scanning your hard drive for deleted files and allowing you to recover them. 

Some popular options include:

  • Disk Drill: This program can recover deleted files from your Mac’s hard drive, as well as from external hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. It also has a feature called “Deep Scan” that can recover files that have been lost for a long time.
  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: This program can recover deleted files from your Mac’s hard drive, as well as from external hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. It also has a feature called “Partition Recovery” that can recover files from deleted or lost partitions.
  • Recuva: This program is specifically designed for recovering deleted files and has a feature called “Deep Scan” that can recover files that have been lost for a long time.

iCloud

iCloud Photo Library automatically uploads all of your photos to iCloud, so even if you delete them from your Mac, they may still be available in iCloud. 

To check if your deleted photos are still in iCloud, follow these steps:

  • Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
  • Click on the Photos app.
  • Look for the deleted photos in the “Recently Deleted” album. If they are still there, you can select them and click on the “Recover” button to restore them to your iCloud Photo Library.

Trash

Sometimes, when you delete photos from the Photos app on your Mac, they are not permanently deleted but moved to the trash. 

To check if your deleted photos are still in the trash, follow these steps:

  • Open the trash folder by clicking on the trash icon in the dock or by searching for it in Spotlight.
  • Look for your deleted photos in the trash folder. If they are still there, you can select them and click on the “Put Back” button to restore them to their original location.

Contact Apple Support

They may be able to help you recover your deleted photos using advanced recovery methods. To contact Apple Support, you can visit the Apple Support website and click on the “Contact Us” button to chat with a representative or schedule a call.

In case you have permanently deleted photos on your Mac and have been unable to recover them using other methods, professional data recovery services can be a valuable resource. Companies that specialize in data recovery and have the tools and expertise to retrieve data from a wide variety of devices, including Mac computers, offer these services.

When seeking professional help, it’s important to choose a reputable company with a track record of success. Look for a company that has experience recovering data from Macs and make sure they have a clean room facility to prevent any further damage to the device.

You can find a list of the best data recovery services here.

The process of recovering data with professional help typically begins with an evaluation of the device to determine the cause of the data loss and the likelihood of recovery. Next, a technician will create an exact copy of the hard drive and use specialized software and equipment to recover the deleted files.

It is important to note that professional data recovery services can be quite expensive, and the cost will depend on the extent of the damage and the complexity of the recovery. However, for important data, it may be worth the investment.

Preventing the permanent deletion of photos on a Mac is crucial for protecting your precious memories and important files. Here are some ways to prevent the permanent deletion of photos on a Mac:

  • Use Time Machine Backup: Time Machine is a built-in feature on Macs that automatically backs up your entire system, including photos. By enabling Time Machine, you can easily restore deleted photos from previous versions.
  • Use Cloud Storage: Cloud storage solutions like iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox allow you to store and access your photos from anywhere. By keeping your photos in the cloud, you can ensure they are always accessible, even if your Mac is lost or stolen.
  • Organize Your Photos: Keep your photos organized by creating folders and labels. This will make it easier to find the photos you need and reduce the risk of accidentally deleting them.
  • Use the “Delete” Key Carefully: Always be careful when using the delete key. Instead of using the “delete” key, use the “command + delete” key combination to move the photos to the trash bin. This will give you the chance to recover the photos if they were deleted accidentally.
  • Use Third-Party Backup Software: There are several third-party backup software programs available for Mac that can help you backup and protect your photos. Some popular options include Backblaze, Carbonite, and CrashPlan. This software can backup your files on schedule or in real time.

In summary, preventing the permanent deletion of photos on a Mac requires a combination of using Time Machine backup, cloud storage, organizing your photos, using the “delete” key carefully, and using third-party backup software.

These steps can help ensure that your photos are protected and can be easily recovered in case of accidental deletion.