A client contacted Belfast Data Recovery after they accidentally deleted files and emptied the Trash on their Mac, permanently removing their data. The reported issues included:
- All important files were deleted and removed from the Trash folder.
- The Mac’s Time Machine backup was not enabled, making recovery critical.
- The external drive contained important personal and work-related files.
- The client took the drive to Apple Store, but they were unable to assist and referred them to a professional data recovery company.
Since emptying the Trash does not immediately erase data but instead removes file system references, a forensic recovery approach was required.
Our Expertise in Seagate Backup Plus Hard Drive Recovery
With 25 years of experience, Belfast Data Recovery specializes in:
✔ Recovering data from Mac-formatted (HFS+, APFS) external hard drives
✔ Forensic data recovery for deleted and lost files using advanced scanning tools
✔ Utilizing Acelabs PC3000, Atola Insight, and DeepSpar imaging systems to extract lost data
Diagnosis & Recovery Process
Upon receiving the Seagate Backup Plus hard drive, our engineers conducted a detailed forensic assessment. The key findings included:
- The drive was functional, but file system metadata had been overwritten due to emptying the Trash.
- No physical damage was present, meaning logical recovery was possible.
- The deleted files were still recoverable, but deep-sector scanning was required.
To successfully recover the client’s lost files, we implemented a multi-step forensic data recovery strategy:
Step 1: Drive Cloning & Data Preservation
- Used DeepSpar Disk Imager to create a sector-by-sector forensic clone, preventing further data loss.
- Applied read-only recovery techniques to avoid overwriting recoverable data.
Step 2: Deep File Scanning & Metadata Reconstruction
- Used Acelabs PC3000 & Atola Insight Forensic tools to scan and recover deleted file fragments.
- Rebuilt lost APFS/HFS+ partition metadata to restore missing files and directories.
Step 3: Data Extraction & Validation
- Extracted and validated all deleted files, including documents, photos, and project data.
- Verified file integrity to ensure usability.
Step 4: Secure Data Transfer & Future Protection
- Conducted final validation checks to confirm all recovered files were intact.
- Successfully transferred the restored data to a secure external SSD, formatted for Mac use.
- Provided guidance on setting up Time Machine backups and file recovery best practices.
The Result
We successfully recovered 99.1% of the client’s lost data, including:
✅ Personal documents, work projects, and spreadsheets
✅ High-resolution photos, videos, and creative files
✅ Archived emails, PDFs, and study materials
The client was able to fully restore their lost files and continue working without any permanent data loss.
Why Choose Belfast Data Recovery for Seagate Backup Plus Hard Drive Recovery?
✅ 25 Years of Expertise – Specialists in Mac-formatted drive recovery.
✅ Forensic-Level Data Reconstruction – Restoring lost files even after Trash is emptied.
✅ Fast & Secure Process – Ensuring complete confidentiality and successful recovery.
If you’ve accidentally deleted files or emptied the Trash on your Mac, contact Belfast Data Recovery today for expert hard drive data recovery services!