Where to Find Recently Deleted Files on Mac?

As a Mac user, I want to know how to find recently deleted files so that I can recover my office documents lost accidentally from my system.

Losing files on Mac can put you in trouble – especially if something important was lost, like your work document, precious photo, or a downloaded email attachment. Ever wondered where these recently deleted files go on Mac? Or what recovery workarounds can you try to get your lost files back? Don’t worry, we are here to help you.

Fortunately, macOS provides several built-in recovery options, and there are some Mac data recovery software tools as well that you can try to recover your recently deleted files. This article will guide you through different recovery workarounds. Let’s get started!

Is it Possible to Recover Recently Deleted Files on Mac?

Yes, it is quite easy to recover lost files on Mac, especially if you act quickly. When a file is deleted on Mac, it typically goes to the Trash folder, where it remains until you empty the Trash. You can easily check and restore files directly from the Trash folder.

Additionally, there are some built-in recovery utilities as well as third-party Mac data recovery software that you can try to recover deleted files by restoring previous versions. The key is to act quickly, as the sooner you attempt recovery after deletion, the higher the chances of successfully retrieving your files.

Quick Methods to Find Recently Deleted Files on Mac

It’s time to explore different methods, including macOS built-in features and third-party tools, that help you locate and restore those lost files with ease and confidence.

Method 01: Check the Trash Bin

Before applying any method to find recently deleted files on Mac, it’s important to check the Trash folder. Every deleted file on Mac goes to the Trash folder and remains there until permanently removed. To find and recover deleted file from Trash:

● Firstly, click the Trash icon from the dock to launch it.
● Locate the file you want to restore.
● Right-click on it and select Put Back.

This action will return the selected file to its original location, where it was stored before deletion.

Method 02: Check Recently Deleted Folder in Apps (Photos, Notes, Mail, etc.)

Many Mac applications, including the Photos app, include a built-in Recently Deleted folder or section where deleted files are temporarily stored. This folder keeps your deleted photos and videos safe for up to 30 days, allowing easy recovery during that period. To restore your files from the Recently Deleted folder:

● Open the app containing your deleted file (e.g., Photos, Notes).
● Now, go to the Recently Deleted folder or section.
● Browse through the files in that folder and select the one you want to recover.
● Click “Recover” or “Restore” to restore the files to their original location.

That’s it—your deleted files are back!

Method 03: Use the Finder’s “Recent” Feature

Sometimes, your file may not be deleted, but it may be accidentally moved to a different location. If you’ve recently accessed or modified it, it could still appear in the Recentssection on your Mac. To recover your files this way, follow these steps:
● Click the Finder icon from the Dock to launch it.
● Now, go to the Recents section from the left sidebar.

● Browse through the list of recently opened or modified files.
● Find the file you are looking for. Alternatively, you can search for the missing file using the search box located at the top-right corner.
● Once the missing file is found, double-click to open or right-click and choose Get Info to see its location.
● Move or copy the required file to your preferred location.

Method 04: Check Time Machine Backup

macOS provides built-in Time Machine backup utility, which, when synced on your device, automatically creates regular backups of your files and folders. Follow the below steps to recover your deleted files using Time Machine backups:

● Connect the Time Machine backup disk to your Mac.
● Open the folder where the missing file was earlier stored.
● Now, tap the Time Machine icon from the menu bar and choose Enter Time Machine.

● Navigate through Timelines on the right-hand side.
● Select the file you want and click Restore.

Time Machine is the best macOS data recovery workaround as it allows you not only to restore recently deleted files but also their older versions.

Method 05: Use Third-Party Mac Data Recovery Software

If the aforementioned Mac data recovery workarounds fail to find your recently deleted files on Mac, third-party data recovery tools can help you. There are several Mac data recovery software tools available online, but for advanced recovery needs, the Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac tool is outstanding. This all-in-one Mac data recovery software allows you to restore files deleted from many internal or external storage devices, including hard disks, SSDs, USBs, and SD cards.

Key Features of Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac:

● The software supports recovery of files deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, system errors, and many other reasons.
● It offers two scanning modes: Quick Scan and Deep Scan. Quick Scan restores recent deletions; Deep Scan recovers formatted or permanently erased files.
● It allows you to preview the recoverable files before restoring them.
● Compatible with multiple file systems, including APFS, HFS+, HFS, exFAT, and NTFS.

To recover your recently deleted files on Mac using this amazing Mac data recovery software, you have to:

Step 1: Firstly, download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Professional software on your Mac. Launch the software and select the type of file you want to restore from the homepage, then click Next.

Step 2: Next, choose the storage drive or volume where the deleted files were earlier stored and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.

Step 3: Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable files and select the ones you want to restore. Click Recover to save them securely to your chosen destination folder.

Preventing Future Data Loss on Mac

While recovery methods exist, prevention is always better. Here are some tips to avoid losing files in the future:

● Enable Time Machine backups – Keep regular backups to an external drive.
● Use iCloud or another cloud service – Automatic syncing helps restore deleted files easily.
● Avoid emptying Trash too frequently – Let it store deleted items for at least a week.
● Use file versioning apps – Apps like Dropbox and Google Drive allow version history recovery.
● Be cautious with shortcuts – Avoid using Shift + Command + Delete unless absolutely necessary.

Conclusion

Finding recently deleted files on Mac may seem challenging, but the aforementioned Mac data recovery methods can easily help you get your files. Start with checking the Trash folder, then move to app-specific “Recently Deleted” sections, and Time Machine backups. If these manual workarounds fail, use third-party Mac data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac. By following the steps in this guide, you’ll know exactly where to look and what to do when you accidentally delete files on your Mac.

Author

  • Ethan Wells

    A modern-day generalist. Ethan writes with depth and balance, covering tech news, entertainment, home improvement tips, and beyond. He brings a thoughtful, reliable voice to your daily information scroll.

A modern-day generalist. Ethan writes with depth and balance, covering tech news, entertainment, home improvement tips, and beyond. He brings a thoughtful, reliable voice to your daily information scroll.

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