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The only thing worse than losing your files on a Mac is to find out that there isn’t a Recuva for Mac. But don’t let that dampen your hope of recovering your files. In this guide, I’ll show other types of file recovery tools that work.
Recuva, as you might know, is a popular file recovery software for Windows. It’s easy to use, powerful, and can basically recover many types of files. Even files that you thought were permanently gone can sometimes be restored if you use Recuva’s deep scan feature.
No. At present, you won’t find Recuva for macOS. Its developer, Piriform, hasn’t announced plans to make it available for Mac users yet. So, I can only assume that in the coming years, only Windows users can download and use it. As for Mac users, you can try some of these Recuva macOS alternatives:
| Best Recuva alternatives | Why choose the tool |
| iBoysoft Data Recovery | Easy to use, supports 1000+ file formats, and works with a wide range of devices, including external drives, USB sticks, SD cards, and Macs. |
| DMDE | Offers advanced disk repair features, such as RAID reconstructor and disk cloning. |
| EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard | Deep scan for file recovery of over 2,000+ storage devices. |
| TestDisk | Partition recovery tool that can restore limited files. |
| Recoverit | Repairs corrupted photos and videos with advanced features. |
| PhotoRec | Recover severely damaged files in external storage devices. |
| R-Studio | Professional disk repair tools that support network recovery, RAID reconstruction, and more. |
Interested in the topic? Here’s a full list of free and paid recovery tools for Mac.
I know you’re in a hurry to get your files back. But if you have a minute or two to spare, check out the Mac data recovery software I’ve tried (used the Productivity Tools GPT assistant to think through my options), so you can decide which might work better for you.
iBoysoft Data Recovery is a solid Recuva equivalent for Mac that handles the most common (and some not-so-common) recovery scenarios. Whether you've accidentally deleted files (or lost them), or need to pull files from an external drive or SD card, it works. What sets it apart from most tools is its ability to recover data from unbootable Macs, something you'll be very glad exists the day you need it.
I think the app will be extra useful for file recovery on old Macs, which tend to be harder to recover from.
What I like:
Things that are missing:
Verdict: Overall, it's a reliable pick if you want something that covers both everyday recovery and trickier situations like a Mac that won't boot.
DMDE is another tool you can try as an alternative to Recuva on Mac. But be warned: Many users find it overwhelming because it’s not exactly easy to use. On the other hand, if you’re used to ‘under-the-hood’ stuff, you’ll find DMDE useful. It provides advanced features that some data discovery tools don’t, such as RAID reconstruction, disk editing, and cloning tools.
What I like:
Things that are missing:
Verdict: DMDE can do wonders at the hands of a data recovery expert, but most users might struggle with it.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard fits the bill of a great Recuva equivalent for Mac. It’s easy to use and lets you find files you’ve lost in just a few clicks. Likewise, you’ll also find recovery a pain-free process. Just select the files you want to recover, click Recover, and the EaseUS app will do the rest. My only complaint? It’s a tad slower than iBoysoft Data Recovery, particularly on large files.
What I like:
Things that are missing:
Verdict: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a reliable file recovery tool for most circumstances, unless you’ve lost a large number of files, like HD videos.
TestDisk is a free file recovery tool that you can download on several operating systems, including previous versions of macOS. However, you will have to launch it through a command line interface, as it does not offer the user interface found on iBous and EaseUS. Moreover, TestDisk can recover only some types of files, so if you’ve lost many files, it’s not the right option.
What I like:
Things that are missing:
Verdict: Go for TestDisk if you’re comfortable prompting the tool with the command, and you only need to recover a few files.
Another file recovery tool worth mentioning is Recoverit by Wondershare. Like iBoysoft Data Recovery, it’s easy to use and can recover various types of files.
On Recoverit’s dashboard, you can browse various parts of your disks or devices. The recovery process is also a breeze. It only takes a few minutes to recover a handful of small files.
Also, it boasts a patented technology that lets you put together video fragments so you can get the entire file back again. But I must stress that this feature is only available on the premium version, which is quite expensive.
If you choose the free version, you can still access basic file recovery tools, which will still recover most files. However, you can only recover up to 100 MB of files at any one time.
What I like:
Things that are missing:
Verdict: Recoverit can bring your lost video files back with powerful video repair tools.
If you’re a coding wizard, you’ll love PhotoRec. It’s a free file recovery tool that works from the command line interface. The key is in the right command, which is difficult for most users, and you can restore deleted files. The only caveat is that the recovered files don’t carry their original names, making it difficult to find them.
What I like:
Things that are missing:
Verdict: PhotoRec is a budget-friendly option if you want to recover images from an SD Card.
R-Studio is a professional-grade data recovery software that features advanced tools like RAID reconstruction, bootable image creation, and more. While it can recover files quickly, you’ll need to spend time learning how the tool works. If a steeper learning curve doesn’t discourage you, you’ve got one of the most powerful Recuva alternatives for Mac in your hand.
What I like:
Things that are missing:
Verdict: More suitable for experts, R-Studio offers powerful features to recover lost files, regardless of how they’re lost.
Before choosing the best tool that fits your needs, consider this:
Of course, price is also important. Some file recovery tools, especially those built for professionals, can be expensive. So, it’s better to choose one that lets you try it out before paying.
By now, I hope you have a better idea of which file recovery app to use as a Recuva alternative for Mac. Each of the tools I mentioned has its respective advantages and purposes. So, choose one that has the features that will get you out of your predicament right now.
And if you’re not sure where to start, you can try iBoysoft Data Recovery. So far, it never fails me. Also, remember to back up the files you’ve restored with Get Backup Pro. Trust me, losing them again for the second time doubles the frustration.
You can download Get Backup Pro on Setapp. This platform has more than 260 macOS and iOS apps for pretty much anything you need, whether you’re looking to boost your productivity or tap into your creative side. And guess what? You can try them for seven days for free!
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