The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To recover a deleted file with Time Machine, open the Finder folder where it used to be, enter Time Machine, choose a backup from before the deletion, select the file, and click Restore. The item returns to its original location. If you cannot find it there, search from Finder and browse Time Machine backups; if the backup disk is disconnected, a local snapshot may be available, but snapshots are temporary and not guaranteed.
Restore a deleted file or folder from a Time Machine backup
-
Connect and turn on your Time Machine backup disk, or make sure your network backup is available.
-
In Finder, open the folder where the missing item used to be. If it was on the desktop, Apple says you do not need to open a Finder folder window.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Open Time Machine from Spotlight or the menu bar. Use the timeline and arrows to find a backup from before the item was deleted.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400)- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
-
Select the file or folder and click Restore. Apple says restored items return to their original location. Apple’s restore instructions cover this process.
Find a file when you do not remember its folder
Search in Finder for a word or phrase from the file name, refine the results if needed, then choose the Time Machine menu-bar item and select Browse Time Machine backups. Use the timeline to locate a result in an earlier backup and restore it. Apple documents this Finder search workflow in its Time Machine and Spotlight guide.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Retrieve an earlier version of a document
If the file still exists but you need an older edit, check whether the app supports version browsing. In a supported app, choose File > Revert To > Browse All Versions, then select the version you need. Availability and behavior depend on the app; Apple’s restore guidance describes this option for supported apps.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTry a local snapshot if the backup disk is unavailable
Time Machine may keep local snapshots on the Mac, so a disconnected backup disk does not always rule out a restore. Apple says snapshots are made approximately hourly and generally retained for up to 24 hours, with an additional snapshot of the last successful backup kept until storage is needed. Snapshots can be deleted as they age or when the Mac needs space; a usable snapshot is not guaranteed. See Apple’s pages on Time Machine backups and local snapshots and local snapshot behavior.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Recover after damage to the startup disk
When the Mac’s system or startup disk is damaged, the process is different from restoring one deleted file. Apple instructs users to reinstall macOS first, then use Migration Assistant to transfer information from a Time Machine backup. Connect and turn on the backup disk, or make the network backup available, before transferring. Follow Apple’s instructions for recovering files from a Time Machine backup.
What if the file is missing from every backup?
Time Machine can restore an item or version only if it is present in an available backup or snapshot. Apple’s documented restore instructions do not establish a general way to recover a file that is absent from all available backups. For an important missing file in that situation, contact Apple Support or a qualified data-recovery professional for advice specific to the Mac and its storage.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Prevent the same loss in the future
Apple recommends keeping backups somewhere other than the Mac’s internal disk; an external hard drive is one option. A separate backup can help preserve future files, but purchasing a drive cannot recover an item that was never backed up. Apple’s Time Machine setup guide explains backup setup and storage options.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
