[Solution] Recovery of Lost Files from Dead MacBook Air

This blog centers on the recovery of lost files from a dead MacBook Air. It also discusses the reasons for a MacBook Air to turn dead, data recovery from the defunct laptop, and preemptive measures to avoid any future data loss. In case you are going to visit an Apple service center, read this blog before doing so.

Scenario: Hello All, Last week my MacBook Air didn’t start and is not working from that time onwards. I tried restarting my Mac by plugging in its charger, but to no avail. I even tried contacting the Apple service center and spoke about the situation. Since my MacBook Air is in its guarantee period, so the service center will fix any hardware issue but will not recover data present on the drive. Please help. I do not want to lose my precious files stored on my dead MacBook Air. Thanks in advance!

Resolution: The above scenario calls for immediate data recovery from your end. After you recover your lost data by implementing the method provided here, you can visit the Apple service center to either fixing the MacBook Air’s hardware glitch or replacing the affected storage drive.

But before performing the recovery task, you should be aware of the reasons why your MacBook Air turned inoperative. This awareness will help ensure, you respond appropriately beforehand to safeguard against imminent data loss.

Reasons for MacBook Air to Turn Dead

• An issue in the motherboard of the MacBook Air
• Disconnection of the internal Mac storage drive from the system
• Corruption of the drive’s file system due to the presence of bad sectors/blocks
• Infection of the storage drive with malware/virus

Any of the preceding reasons or otherwise can make your MacBook Air dead.

Consequently, your Mac’s internal storage drive data will turn inaccessible. The machine will not boot or even show signs of starting. If such is the case, you should recover your vital data from the drive without any delay.

Lost Files Recovery from a Dead MacBook Air by Using a Mac Data Recovery Software

To recover files from a dead MacBook Air, perform the following steps:

1. Remove the affected storage drive from the dead MacBook Air
2. Connect it as an external drive to a working Mac machine
3. Download and install an advanced mac data recovery software on the computer
4. Run the utility and follow the on-screen instructions
5. Select the affected storage drive from the software interface
6. Scan the drive by using the best scanning option provided by the tool
7. Once the scan list is generated, preview the recoverable items
8. Recover the files and save it to a different drive location to avoid overwriting

Once you have recovered the lost files from the internal Mac drive, send your dead MacBook Air for repair without the fear of losing your vital data.

Caution: Ensure you do not void the warranty by opening your Mac all by yourself. Instead, ask the Apple service center person to provide the storage drive for data recovery. In case the warranty is over, you can perform the above troubleshooting steps by yourself to recover lost files from the dead MacBook Air. Once you recover the lost data, get the Mac fixed from experts.

How Safeguard Against Any Data Loss?

When your MacBook Air revives or you purchase a new one, you must take proactive measures to safeguard your device against inadvertent data loss. To protect your MacBook Air from future issues, do the following:

Read Also How to Prevent Data Loss during Mac Hard Drive Factory Reset

Create Time Machine Backup

1. To set up an external storage drive as a backup disk, connect it to your MacBook Air
2. On the macOS prompt, select Encrypt Backup Disk then click Use as Backup Disk
3. In case of no prompt, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Time Machine
4. Click Select Backup Disk and select the external drive
5. Select Encrypt backups then click Use Disk
6. If the file system format of the external drive is not compatible, then macOS prompts to erase the storage drive, so click Erase
7. Time Machine immediately and automatically proceeds to take the backup
8. Let the automatic backup to finish

The backup will take more time to complete for the first time, but later backups will be faster.

Monitor Your Storage Drive

1. To ensure you never lose data (due to the emptying of Trash, permanent deletion of files/folders, erasure of volume, or other data loss scenarios on your MacBook Air), install an advanced mac data recovery tool on your system beforehand
2. Turn on background drive monitoring functionality to get performance, health, and temperature alerts of the connected Mac storage drive on the fly, thereby preventing impending drive failure
3. If the drive suffers from bad sectors or blocks, then immediately create an image or clone of the affected drive to another healthy storage medium to avoid certain data loss
4. In case you lose data due to any reasons, run the tool immediately and recover those data outright and prevent permanent data loss due to overwriting

Implement 3-2-1 Backup Plan

It is recommended to implement the 3-2-1 backup plan. The scheme requires you to create 3 copies of the critical data (one copy on the system where you have created those data and two copies elsewhere), 2 copies of data on two different medium, and lastly 1 copy on an offsite location to safeguard against any natural disaster striking at one place.

Conclusion

The blog presented different methods to recover lost files from a dead MacBook Air. It also shared likely reasons that can turn a MacBook Air dead. The blog also warned you not to open the nonoperational laptop to remove its internal storage drive, unless the device warranty period is over or you are sure you do not void the warranty. The best solution is to get the internal storage drive removed from the Apple service center and then use data recovery software to recover secluded files present on the storage drive.

Besides the data recovery methods, the blog also created awareness on how to safeguard your MacBook Air from future data-loss disaster. Firstly, set up an external storage drive as a Time Machine backup disk and ensure automatic incremental backup. Secondly, monitor your storage drive by using the recommended Mac data recovery tool. Thirdly, implement a 3-2-1 backup plan to prevent any data loss disaster and ensure business continuity.

Author Bio

Pankaj is a technical expert at @Stellar addressing several data loss scenarios on Mac & Windows Operating system. He loves to explore new places and learn more about new technologies.