The experience of dealing with a Mac that will not boot, has a flashing question mark instead of an Apple logo, or will not recognise its disk is scary, however the data is generally safe. Each Mac model brings different issues such as APFS & Fusion Drives & FileVault & soldered Apple Silicon storage, but we can deal with them all in-house. We also recover MacBooks, iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros of each generation across Belfast & Northern Ireland.
If your Mac uses FileVault then the whole disk is encrypted and we cannot recover the data unless you provide us with your log-in details or recovery key. Encryption cannot be broken without the key so before sending your Mac please retrieve the password or recovery key you were required to save when FileVault was turned on.
The causes of failure for Macs vary by hardware, software, and design related to Apple's use of encryption and storage. These are the types of failures we see most often.
We are able to recover any type of Mac (from the first Intel processor through to the most recent Apple Silicon processors) regardless of how your Mac stores its data.
Any model of Mac (MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro etc.) of every generation (Intel, T2 and Apple Silicon, M1 to M4) using any method of storing files (Fusion Drives, Core Storage, APFS, HFS+, etc.), including FileVault, provided you have possession of your password and/or recovery key.
Recovering a Mac is working with the design of the file systems, storage and encryption used by Apple, rather than trying to fight these systems. The data can be separated from the fault, the drive read (or its chips) and rebuilt from an image of your files, and we are clear on what is possible when you have soldered Apple silicon storage.
We will determine if the problem is macOS, the drive, a Fusion split, or if the storage was encrypted, and also determine if the storage is removable, before sending you a written quote for the recovery.
If the drive is removable, we will recover it using our own equipment; if the drive is soldered onto the motherboard of the Mac, we will recover from the drive to the point that the design of the hardware permits us to do so at the board or chip level.
A good hard drive is read only to create an image, a failing solid state drive (SSD), or hard drive is fixed first, a split Fusion Drive has all of the drives re-combined into one volume.
Apple's file system is reconstructed from the original image, and FileVault (if used) is unlocked with your key, so your files are returned organised and named.
We check the files that were recovered to ensure that they can be opened successfully and that they are complete. Before returning any files to you, we also give you the opportunity to review them to ensure their accuracy.
Files can be delivered to you via fresh media (e.g., a USB flash drive) or you can have them sent to you via our complimentary 75 GB download service, whichever is more convenient for you.
Whether your MacBook won't boot at all to whether your Fusion Drive has become split, damaged by liquid or wiped on your iMac, we can recover Macs from every generation using APFS, HFS+, and FileVault. We will always do this from a copy of your data.
Give us some information regarding what happened to cause this issue, and an engineer will contact you. Usually within a single business day.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
Before starting any work, a free diagnosis followed by a fixed cost quote in writing based on our findings. The cost of recovering a single Mac drive is £300 + VAT. For recovery of a two-drive Fusion system, costs begin at £550 + VAT. With the exception of those requiring physical repair of their Mac (in which case a 50% deposit is required covering parts and bench time, with the balance only on success), you typically only have to pay if we are able to recover your lost data.
We are showing examples of many different Mac models, with multiple different issues, customer information is never shared. Types of devices (laptops/desktops), and how each recovery worked out.
The APFS structures were damaged, however the PCIe SSD was fine. We copied the entire disk (imaging), then we rebuilt the file structure and got all data back.
The hard drive side of this user's Fusion Drive failed. This split their original volume in two. We fixed the issue, combined the two into one again, and recovered their data.
Although the mainboard had severe corrosion issues, the blade SSD was still intact and operational. We were able to connect it via a matching adapter and recover all files on the SSD that belonged to the client.
The heads had gone bad. The swap with a donor head allowed us to take an image of the drive which in turn enabled us to recover the data off of the drive.
When the user erased the drive (cleared the APFS Volume), the files weren't removed; they were simply unlinked. We took an image of the entire drive then rebuilt it as an APFS volume & recovered nearly all of the user's files.
It was caught in time, prior to TRIM clearing this Fusion era drive. Scanning a read only image revealed the folder to be completely intact.
Send or drop off your item for a free diagnostic check with a description of the issue. One of our engineers will review the item, then provide you a written quote prior to doing any repairs.
Prior to sending or dropping off your device for a diagnostic test (free), obtain a quotation from us via telephone or using the provided form. Step one: get the device to our Belfast bench. Carefully wrap the device and include your contact information inside the parcel. Then send it over. There is no charge for this diagnostic service. Once we receive it, you will be given a firm written price to confirm whether you wish to go ahead, before any work is done.
Sending it? The use of a tracked, insured delivery method would be recommended. Alternatively, dropping it off can also be done Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm; no prior booking required but do ensure that all items are packed accordingly.
Still waiting to send something? Please complete the form describing the failure/fault in your own words and one of our engineers will get back to you with a quotation based upon your individual circumstances.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
We get these Mac and MacBook recovery questions a lot.
In most cases…yes. A flashing question mark on boot-up, hanging on the Apple logo at boot-up, or a disk that refuses to mount usually indicates some damage to either your Mac's operating systems structure(s) or the actual hard drive, but don't worry …your files are probably still on that disk somewhere. We can recover those files directly from the original disk without even accessing the broken operating system.
We will give you accurate chances of recovering data from the Mac's internal drive. Recovery possibilities vary depending on which model you own (T2/Apple Silicon). With those types of drives, since the drive itself is attached to the motherboard and tied to the Secure Enclave on that specific Mac, recovery is very difficult and varies based on the nature of the problem with the board. If there is a possibility that the board could be recovered, then there may be some hope. Otherwise, other than a few possibilities, options would be limited. We look at each situation as individual.
Yes. Once Disk Utility has greyed out a drive or called it “unreadable”, we know that the APFS/HFS+ structure(s) have probably been damaged and thus lost. However, we usually find that the files that were on the failed device are still intact on the physical media (platter or flash) and therefore can be successfully reconstructed from our images. Therefore please never accept the option offered by Disk Utility to ‘erase’ or ‘repair’ your failed drive.
This really depends upon the type of drive involved. Deleted files on a Fusion or hard drive will usually remain recoverable until the point when they are rewritten over. Modern APFS SSDs tend to use TRIM (a function used for clearing deleted files), where it typically wipes the deleted data off the drive within seconds after deletion. This makes recovery much harder, but not impossible. Regardless, stop using your Mac immediately.
The cost of recovering one Mac or one drive is £300 + VAT. Systems with a Fusion Drive are considered two drives and begin at £550. There is no charge for a diagnostic; in most cases you pay only if we recover your data; physical repair services require a 50% down payment for both parts & labour on the bench, with the remaining balance paid upon successful completion of service.
In most cases, yes, you only pay if we recover your data; however, there is one potential exception. Physical repairs requiring parts for replacement will require a deposit covering both the cost of those parts and our labour (bench time). Only in successful recovery scenarios will the remainder of the total bill be invoiced. We make clear which applies before any work begins.
All of them, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro (from earliest Intel through T2 to Apple Silicon). We support all APFS/HFS+/Fusion Drive/FileVault combinations.
Yes, as long as you have your login password or recovery key. FileVault encodes an entire disk. No one can decode that without the correct key. If you do have the key we will be able to unlock your device and retrieve your files. If you've lost the key then sadly the information is irretrievable.
Power it off immediately, and do not try to turn it back on again. This would likely cause additional electrical shorts and could further harm your devices. Do not attempt to dry it using heat. While your Logic Board could potentially suffer from the water damage, the Storage Drive may survive and we should be able to extract your files from either the full Drive or the Chips. The sooner it reaches us, the better.
Logical Recovery of Data usually takes 1-3 working days; A Fusion Rebuild or Physical Repair is generally around 4-7 days. In addition to this, our Diagnostics are usually completed within 48 hours and Urgent cases can be given priority.
Drop-off for weekdays at Cromac Square are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm. Alternatively you can insure your posting method. Please send us either your complete Macintosh or, if possible, remove the hard-drive yourself and simply post the drive. Your name and contact details along with your FileVault recovery key (if applicable) please place them inside the package when dropping off so we can record, carry-out diagnostics free and provide you written quotations.
Free diagnostics, a flat rate fee of £300 + VAT per Mac or drive, and in most cases you will only need to pay once we successfully recover your data. All Macs from Intel to Apple Silicon recovered in-house, locally in Belfast. FileVault active? Have your recovery key handy and send it in.