A concerned parent contacted Belfast Data Recovery after a macOS update failure left their MacBook stuck in a boot loop, making their son’s A-Level coursework inaccessible. The reported issues included:
- After initiating a macOS update, the MacBook failed to complete installation and got stuck in a continuous restart cycle.
- The MacBook would not boot past the Apple logo, preventing access to files.
- Disk Utility showed the drive but reported errors, indicating file system corruption.
- The Mac contained critical A-Level coursework, research projects, and study notes.
- No recent backup was available, making professional data recovery essential.
Since macOS update failures can cause file system corruption, kernel panics, or even drive encryption issues, a forensic data recovery approach was required.
Our Expertise in MacBook Hard Drive Data Recovery
With 25 years of experience, Belfast Data Recovery specializes in:
✔ Recovering data from failed macOS updates, boot loops, and OS corruption
✔ Extracting data from APFS, HFS+, and encrypted Apple drives
✔ Forensic Mac data recovery using Acelabs PC3000, DeepSpar, RapidSpar, and Atola Insight Forensic tools
Diagnosis & Recovery Process
Upon receiving the MacBook SSD, our engineers conducted a detailed forensic assessment. The key findings included:
- The drive was functional, but the macOS update corrupted the boot partition.
- File system corruption prevented normal access to data, but files remained intact.
- The APFS structure was damaged, requiring advanced file system reconstruction.
To successfully recover the A-Level coursework, we implemented a multi-step forensic Mac data recovery strategy:
Step 1: Drive Cloning & Data Preservation
- Used DeepSpar Disk Imager to create a sector-by-sector forensic clone, preventing further corruption.
- Applied adaptive read techniques to extract data from unreadable sectors.
Step 2: File System Repair & APFS Partition Reconstruction
- Used Acelabs PC3000 & Atola Insight Forensic tools to scan and repair corrupt APFS metadata.
- Rebuilt missing APFS file system structures to restore directory access.
Step 3: Data Extraction & Validation
- Recovered A-Level coursework, research projects, and study materials.
- Restored PDFs, presentations, and essay drafts.
- Validated recovered files to ensure all coursework was intact and accessible.
Step 4: Secure Data Transfer & Mac Compatibility
- Conducted final integrity checks to confirm successful recovery.
- Transferred the recovered data to an external SSD, formatted for Mac compatibility.
The Result
We successfully recovered 99.8% of the student’s lost coursework and study files, including:
✅ A-Level coursework, essays, and research projects
✅ Presentations, spreadsheets, and revision notes
✅ Educational PDFs, class materials, and lecture recordings
The student was able to continue their A-Level studies without data loss, preventing academic setbacks.
Why Choose Belfast Data Recovery for MacBook Data Recovery?
✅ 25 Years of Expertise – Specialists in macOS failures and data recovery.
✅ APFS & HFS+ File System Repair – Advanced techniques for corrupted Mac drives.
✅ Fast & Secure Process – Ensuring complete confidentiality and successful recovery.
If your MacBook is stuck in a boot loop after a macOS update, contact Belfast Data Recovery today for expert Mac data recovery services!