Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →If files are still accessible, copy them to a separate storage device before trying repairs. If the Mac will not start, use macOS Recovery; if you already have a Time Machine backup, restore from it. Disk Utility’s First Aid can repair some formatting and directory errors, but it cannot fix every storage failure. Do not erase or reformat a drive that may contain the only copy of your files.
Start by protecting the data
Work out which part has the problem: the Mac may not start, its internal storage may be failing, or an external drive may be unreadable or missing. If you can open the files, copy the important ones to a separate storage device first. Apple recommends keeping a current backup before using Disk Utility, and copying wanted files elsewhere before erasing macOS. Apple’s backup guidance and macOS erase and reinstall instructions explain these safeguards.
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A separate external drive can serve as a destination for a copy or backup; it does not repair the source drive. If files are not accessible, avoid repeated repair or erase attempts until you have considered whether the device may be physically failing.
Choose a recovery route
| Situation | Route to try | What it can do |
|---|---|---|
| Files are accessible on the Mac or external drive | Copy them to separate storage | Preserves readable files; it does not repair the source. |
| The drive appears in Disk Utility and symptoms point to filesystem errors | Run First Aid | Checks and repairs certain formatting and directory-structure errors. |
| The Mac will not start normally | Start macOS Recovery | Provides Disk Utility and may offer Time Machine restore. |
| You have an existing Time Machine backup | Restore from that backup | Returns files that were included in the backup. |
| The drive is absent from Disk Utility or appears physically damaged | Check connections, then seek service if it remains absent | Addresses a detection or hardware problem; First Aid cannot make an undetected device available. |
Run First Aid only when the device is detected
Open Disk Utility. If available, choose View > Show All Devices. Start with the last volume in the device hierarchy and run First Aid; then work upward through each volume and volume group, each container, and finally the device. A password may be required to unlock a disk.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Apple describes the tool’s scope narrowly: “Disk Utility can find and repair errors related to the formatting and directory structure of a Mac storage device.” It cannot detect or repair every disk problem. If First Aid fails, Apple advises trying it again, then backing up as much as possible. If problems persist, reformatting, reinstalling macOS, and restoring backed-up data may be considered—but reformatting deletes the target’s contents. Do not proceed while wanted files remain only on that drive. If Disk Utility says a disk is about to fail, back up what you can and replace it.
Use macOS Recovery if the Mac will not boot
The startup method depends on whether the Mac has Apple silicon or an Intel processor. Apple’s current instructions are collected in macOS Recovery.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Apple silicon
- Shut down the Mac.
- Press and hold the power button until Startup Options appears.
- Select Options, then choose Continue.
Intel
- Start the Mac and immediately press and hold Command-R.
- Release the keys when the startup screen or Recovery utilities appear.
In Recovery, Disk Utility is available for checking detected storage, and a Time Machine restore option may be available if you have a backup. Reinstalling macOS is not the same as recovering files: an erase-and-reinstall removes user accounts, network settings, and files. Copy wanted data before choosing an erase.
Transfer files to another Mac
If another Mac is available, the transfer method depends on the source Mac’s processor and macOS version. Apple documents Target Disk Mode for Intel Macs, which can make the source appear as an external disk on another Mac. Apple’s Target Disk Mode guide covers that route.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Apple silicon uses a different, Recovery-based file transfer flow. Apple describes Mac Sharing Mode as file-level access over SMB, rather than the older Target Disk Mode approach. Follow the on-screen instructions for the specific Mac and installed macOS release; do not assume the Intel steps apply to Apple silicon. Apple explains the change in its WWDC20 session on Mac Sharing Mode.
Restore from an existing Time Machine backup
If a Time Machine backup already exists, macOS Recovery can restore files from it. Follow Apple’s instructions for the Mac generation: restore from Time Machine on an Intel Mac or restore from Time Machine on Apple silicon. A backup can restore only data that was backed up; it cannot recreate a backup that never existed. On Intel Macs, Apple says to use Migration Assistant after restarting when moving data to a new computer, rather than Recovery’s restore flow intended for the source computer.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Account for FileVault encryption
With FileVault enabled, access may require the owner’s password or the relevant recovery material. Do not assume files can be recovered without the credentials. Apple’s platform security documentation notes that institutional recovery keys cannot unlock Apple silicon recoveryOS or unlock its volume simply by connecting the Mac to another Mac.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhen to stop troubleshooting and seek service
If an external drive does not appear in Disk Utility, shut down the Mac, disconnect nonessential peripherals, and check the drive’s cable, connections, and power. Apple recommends service if the device remains missing; see Apple’s guidance for a device that does not appear in Disk Utility. A disk reported as about to fail should be backed up and replaced. First Aid is for certain filesystem errors, not a physical fault, and no recovery outcome is guaranteed when a device is undetected or encryption credentials are unavailable.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
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- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
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