Thanks to their convenience, USB flash drives are one of the most commonly used storage devices for Mac users. They’re often used to temporarily store important files, transfer data between devices, or even create a bootable macOS installer.
However, data loss happens every day. According to our research, nearly 83% of the Mac users have accidentally deleted files or USB drive at some point. But don’t worry—this doesn’t mean your files are gone forever. Here, we’ll walk you through how to recover deleted files from a USB drive on Mac step by step. So, stay with us.
Part 1: Is It Possible to Recover Deleted Files from USB Drive on Mac?
In many cases, you can recover deleted files from a USB on Mac for free. This is especially true if the deleted data has not been overwritten or if you have a backup of the USB drive.
First, stop using your USB drive immediately after data loss occurs. Second, do not format the pen drive or run disk repair tools before attempting recovery. Finally, act as quickly as possible. This post will share four ways on how to recover deleted files from USB without/with software on Mac.
Part 2: How to Recover Deleted Files from USB with Software on Mac?
One simple and effective way to recover deleted files from a USB drive on Mac is by using data recovery software. These tools are not only great for accidental deletions but also excel in other data loss situations, such as formatting errors, hardware malfunctions, or virus attacks. 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery stands out as a top choice. Its interface is clean and intuitive, free of overwhelming options or confusing technical jargon. Below are some of its other key highlights:
- Reclaims missing files from over 2,000 storage devices, including Macbooks, iMacs, USBs, memory cards, etc.
- Recognizes images, videos, documents, archives, and many other commonly used formats.
- Fully compatible with Apple silicon, including the M4 chip, and optimized for the newest macOS Tahoe 26.
- Provides file preview functionality before recovery.
- Offers a higher success rate than other Mac data recovery tools.
The following steps how to the recover data from flash drive on Mac by 4DDiG:
Step 1: Download, install and run the 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery tool. On the main interface, choose the pen drive that has already been connected to your computer. Click “Scan” to start searching for deleted files on the selected drive.
Step 2: While the scan is in progress, you don’t need to wait until it finishes to take action. The software allows you to filter and locate the target files in real time using multiple options.
Step 3: Once the scan is complete, you can double-click any recoverable file to preview its details. If you are satisfied with the results, select the files you need and click the “Recover” button in the bottom-right corner.
Part 3: How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software on Mac?
Some users are unwilling to rely on any USB data recovery software for Mac. For the sake of completeness, we’ve compiled a few possible software-free recovery options for you to consider. However, it’s important to note that these methods come with certain limitations—they only work under specific conditions.
Option A: Utilize Time Machine
Time Machine is often mentioned as a possible way to recover deleted files, but when it comes to external storage devices on macOS, its usefulness is much more limited than many guides suggest. However, if you’ve backed up your USB drive with this built-in tool, you’re in luck. Here’s how to recover deleted files from a USB on Mac for free:
Step 1: Start by connecting the USB stick to your Mac. Then, navigate to the folder where the deleted files were originally stored.
Step 2: Open the Time Machine app from System Settings. Once launched, use the timeline on the right side of the screen to browse previous backups.
Step 3: Locate the deleted files, select them, and click “Restore” at the bottom.
Option B: Check the .Trashes Folder
Searching for “How to recover deleted files from USB without software Mac” on Google? On a Mac, files deleted from a USB drive don’t go straight to the internal Trash folder. However, they may be temporarily stored in a hidden .Trashes directory.
If you’re comfortable with command-line tools, you can use Terminal to access this folder and check whether the files you’re looking for are there. The detailed steps are as follows:
Step 1: Connect your USB stick to your Mac. Once recognized, open the Terminal app.
Step 2: Type the cd /Volumes/DRIVE_A/ .Trashes command followed by pressing Enter. Replace DRIVE_A with your drive’s name.
Step 3: Next, type and run ls -la to reveal hidden files inside .Trashes. Look for the files you accidentally deleted.
Option C: Restore from iCloud
Once you turn on iCloud Drive sync, everything in your Desktop and Documents folders gets uploaded automatically. So, if you’ve ever played around with USB files on your Mac, there’s a good chance they’re already backed up and ready to restore. To check, open Finder and go to iCloud Drive in the sidebar. Still no luck? Don’t worry, as iCloud keeps deleted files in the Recently Deleted folder for up to thirty days.
Conclusion
With the right tools and approaches, it’s often possible to recover deleted files from a USB drive on Mac. Start by checking whether you have backups available on Time Machine, iCloud, or other cloud services. Even if you don’t, tools like 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery can come to the rescue. With just a few clicks, you can quickly retrieve deleted files from your removable drive, as long as they haven’t been overwritten. After recovering your data, it’s wise to adopt the 3-2-1 backup strategy to protect your files in the future.
FAQ About How to Recover Deleted Files from USB on Mac
Q1: Is There a Recycle Bin on a USB Drive?
No, USB drives don’t have a built-in Recycle Bin like Mac or Windows computers. However, you can still recover data from a flash drive on Mac using specialized tools.
Q2: What Happens When You Delete a File from a USB Flash Drive?
When you delete something from a USB drive, it usually just disappears right away. On a Mac, if your USB was plugged in when you deleted it, the file might show up in the Trash for a little while. But once you empty the Trash or the space gets overwritten, that file is gone for good from the USB.
