Losing data can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it’s the result of months of hard work. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel when you think all your files are gone for good. But that’s where Stellar Data Recovery for Mac comes in—it turned out to be a lifesaver for me. It helped me recover lost or deleted files easily, giving me peace of mind in a stressful situation. In this review, I’ll share my journey with the software, from feeling panicked to successfully recovering my data, along with some key features and real-world examples of how this tool works.
How I Lost and Recovered My Data
Not long ago, I made a huge mistake—I accidentally deleted an entire folder from my Mac that contained months of work, images, video clips, documents, and audio files. I thought I had saved everything to my external hard drive, so I deleted the folder to free up space. But when I checked the backup, I realized I had missed those files.
The panic set in quickly, but then I remembered I hadn’t turned off my Mac or overwritten the storage yet, so there was still a chance to recover my data. After looking into several options, like trash recovery, Time Machine, and some DIY data recovery software, I decided to give Stellar Data Recovery Software for Mac a try.
I downloaded and installed the software in a few simple steps. Despite my anxiety, the user-friendly interface put me at ease, offering clear options for data recovery. The initial screen provided multiple recovery options, such as recovering documents, videos, photos, and audio files. I opted for a deep scan of my 500 GB internal drive, and within 10 minutes, the software had listed the deleted files.
Previewing and Recovering Data
What impressed me most was the ability to preview files before recovering them. The software presented categories like Classic List, File List, and Deleted List, making it easy to filter through the data. When I checked the deleted list and previewed a few images, I was amazed to see some long-lost files that I had forgotten about. I selected everything I needed and saved it to my external drive. The entire recovery process took less than 20 minutes, and I had successfully retrieved months of lost data.
Optimizing Mac Storage
The recovery was just the beginning. Stellar Data Recovery for Mac also has optimization features, such as duplicate file removal, which helped me clear additional storage without unnecessary deletions. This feature would have been helpful earlier and could have saved me from deleting my files in the first place. Additionally, I used the large file deletion feature to selectively remove unnecessary videos, clearing up even more space.
The software also offers cache and temporary file cleanup, which further improves storage and system performance.
Creating Disk Image Backup
Another excellent feature is the option to create a Disk Image Backup. If I had known about this feature earlier, it could have prevented the data loss issue altogether. This tool lets you create backups of your entire disk, allowing for easy data recovery in the future.
Recovery from a Non-Booting Mac
One surprising feature I discovered while exploring the software was the ability to recover data from a non-booting Mac. Stellar provides a bootable recovery option, which could be a lifesaver if your Mac fails to start up. This feature adds immense value to the software, as it’s not often seen in other data recovery tools.
Key Features of Stellar Data Recovery Software for Mac
Stellar Data Recovery for Mac has several features that make it stand out as a top-tier recovery solution:
1. File Recovery from Different Scenarios
The software can recover data lost from accidental deletions, formatting, partition loss, and corrupted drives. Whether you’ve lost documents, media files, or entire folders, Stellar has you covered.
2. Deep Scan and Quick Scan
Users can choose between a Quick Scan for recently deleted files and a Deep Scan for a more thorough search. The deep scan goes into every nook and cranny of the drive to find those hard-to-recover files.
3. Preview Function
The preview feature allows users to check files before recovery, ensuring that you only restore the data you need.
4. Advanced Filtering Options
The software offers extensive filtering options that make it easy to locate specific files, even in a sea of recovered data. You can search by file type, date, size, and more.
5. Recovery from Non-Booting Macs
This is a standout feature that enables users to recover data from Macs that won’t start, using a bootable USB drive created through the software.
6. Disk Imaging
The Disk Image feature helps in creating a replica of your hard drive or partition, making future recoveries easier in case of drive failure or other issues.
7. Optimizing Mac Storage
The ability to remove duplicate files, clear large files, and clean up cache and temporary files enhances the overall Mac performance and frees up valuable storage space.
User Experience: Intuitive and Efficient
The installation process is quick and easy. After downloading the software, I followed the on-screen prompts, and within minute, it was ready to use. Upon launching the software, the clean and intuitive interface greeted me with simple recovery options. It asked:
- What type of files to recover? (Images, videos, documents, audio, etc.)
- Where to recover from? (Internal drive, external hard drive, SSD, etc.)
The step-by-step process made it easy to select what I needed, even in my stressed state. I opted for a Deep Scan to search for all recoverable files from my Mac’s storage.
Performance
The scanning process is efficient, and the deep scan, while thorough, doesn’t take an unreasonable amount of time. For a 500 GB drive, the deep scan took about 10 minutes, which is impressive compared to other recovery tools. The ability to preview files as the scan progresses is also a time-saver.
Note: While the deep scan on my 500 GB drive completed in about 10 minutes, results may vary depending on your Mac’s specifications and the drive’s condition
During the scan, I could see files being categorized into Classic List, File List, and Deleted List.
- Deleted List: This section was particularly helpful, as it showed files I thought were gone for good.
- I could even preview images and videos before selecting them for recovery—a feature that surprised me since I saw files I had completely forgotten about!
Bonus Features: Optimizing Mac Performance
After recovering my data, I explored additional features offered by the software. The duplicate file finder was a lifesaver. I discovered that many large files on my Mac were duplicates, unnecessarily hogging storage. By removing these, I freed up significant space without needing to delete important files.
The large file cleaner was another excellent feature. It listed all files by size, allowing me to delete irrelevant large videos and optimize my storage further.
I also used the cache and temporary file cleaner, which boosted my Mac’s performance noticeably. If I had known about these features earlier, I could have avoided my initial panic by managing storage more effectively from the start.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive Recovery: Supports recovery from various data loss scenarios, including accidental deletion, formatting, and non-booting Macs.
- Advanced Features: Disk imaging, SSD support, and recovery from Time Machine drives.
- Ease of Use: The interface is user-friendly, making the software accessible for non-technical users.
- Additional Tools: Includes options for optimizing Mac storage, like duplicate file removal and cache clearing.
- Fast Scans: Quick and deep scan modes offer flexibility, and the scan times are impressively short.
- Preview Option: You can preview files before recovery, ensuring you’re retrieving the correct data.
Cons:
- Price: While reasonable, some may find the premium version a bit costly compared to other tools.
- No Live Chat Support: Although Stellar offers email and phone support, live chat would be a welcome addition for immediate assistance.
Verdict: Is Stellar Data Recovery Software for Mac Worth It?
Absolutely. Stellar Data Recovery for Mac is a robust, feature-packed tool that excels at recovering lost or deleted data. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted files, need to recover data from a non-booting Mac, or want to optimize your Mac’s storage, this software delivers. The performance, ease of use, and advanced recovery options make it an invaluable tool for any Mac user. I was impressed by the software’s speed and efficiency. Even with large files and a deep scan, the recovery process was smooth.
Had I known about this software earlier, I could have avoided my data loss panic altogether. From recovering long-forgotten files to optimizing storage and creating disk images, Stellar offers a complete package that goes beyond just recovery. I highly recommend it for anyone facing data loss issues or looking to keep their Mac’s storage in check.
Whether you’re a professional dealing with critical work files or a casual user with important personal data, Stellar Data Recovery Software for Mac is a must-have tool in your digital arsenal.
