As the default file system for the latest macOS, APFS (Apple File System) offers enhanced reliability and speed compared to its predecessor, HFS+. Many users eagerly update their systems to macOS Mojave/High Sierra, opting to convert external and internal hard drives to APFS using Disk Utility. However, issues may arise, such as the inability to convert to APFS or the greyed-out option in Disk Utility. This guide focuses on a critical scenario: the accidental deletion of an APFS partition and the subsequent loss of important data.
Accidentally deleting an APFS partition poses a unique challenge due to APFS’s space-sharing feature. Unlike other file systems, APFS allows the creation of multiple volumes within a single partition (or container), where free space is dynamically allocated to volumes as needed. While advantageous for storage efficiency, this intricate volume distribution complicates the recovery process.
Yes, it is, but not without its challenges. The complexity of APFS’s space-sharing feature makes conventional recovery methods ineffective. However, the solution lies in leveraging professional APFS data recovery applications.
Among the limited options for APFS data recovery tools, iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac stands out. This versatile tool not only recovers lost data from deleted APFS partitions but also addresses various other scenarios, including encrypted APFS volumes, formatted APFS drives, unmountable or inaccessible APFS drives, and corrupted APFS drives.
iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac supports macOS 12/11/10.15/10.14/10.13/10.12 and Mac OS X 10.11/10.10/10.9/10.8/10.7. It is optimized for M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max Mac systems.
Follow these steps to reclaim lost data from deleted or disappeared APFS partitions using iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac:
Download and install iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac on your system.
Launch iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac and click on “Find Lost APFS Partitions” at the top right corner. The program will list all internal and external drives on your Mac.
graph TD;
A[Download and Install] --> B[Launch the Program];
B --> C[Find Lost APFS Partitions];
Select the drive where the APFS partitions were deleted, and click “Next.” After scanning, all APFS partitions on the selected drive will be displayed.
graph TD;
B[Launch the Program] --> D[Select the Drive];
D --> E[Scan for APFS Partitions];
Choose the APFS partition you want to recover data from and click “Next.”
graph TD;
D[Select the Drive] --> F[Choose the Partition];
F --> G[Click "Next"];
Preview the listed results, select the files you need, and click “Recover” to retrieve lost files.
graph TD;
F[Choose the Partition] --> H[Preview and Recover];
H --> I[Confirm Recovery];
Go through the recovered files to ensure all necessary data has been successfully restored.
Accidental deletion of APFS partitions can be a distressing experience, but with the right tool like iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac, recovery becomes a streamlined process. This comprehensive guide equips you with the knowledge and steps needed to recover lost data, ensuring a smooth experience with APFS on macOS.