Data loss is a devastating problem. However, data recovery from a Mac hard disc might be easier than you assume. You can succeed if your MacBook Air computer includes a detachable hard drive or an emergency data backup connector on the logic board. Below are the ten ways to recover data from a Mac that won’t start up:

1. Data Retrieval from a MacBook Pro Sans Touch Bar A 1708

You must purchase a functional A1708 Mac if your current one is dead. No new drivers must be installed for your SSD disc to boot up from the functional Mac. All you have to do is copy your data from the SSD disc onto an external device. 

2. Using a MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar to Restore Data A1708:

This technique is for 13-inch MacBook Pros produced without a touch bar. The functional Macbook can boot up your SSD disc without requiring you to install any new drivers. Just attach an external drive to duplicate your data from the SSD disc. 

3. Use the Terminal to Copy Files:

If you are familiar with Terminal, you can use commands to copy files to an external hard drive in macOS Recovery mode. 

  • Step 1: Attach the external drive. 
  • Step 2: Choose the boot-to-macOS recovery method based on your Mac’s model.
  • Step 3: If asked, enter your admin password. 
  • Step 4: Start disc utility, mount your startup volume if required, and exit the program. 
  • Step 5: Click Terminal under utilities. 
  • Step 6: Press enter after entering the cp -R Terminal command below to duplicate a designated file or folder. The command line also needs a backslash for spaces. 

4. Using the APFS Snapshots Option

You can attempt to restore files from a MacBook Air computer that won’t boot using APFS snapshots if you run macOS after high sierra and don’t have a time machine backup. 

  • Step 1: Choose restore from the time machine after starting recovery mode on your Mac. 
  • Step 2: Choose the most recent APFS snapshot.
  • Step 3: After that, you can restore using an earlier APFS snapshot by following the instructions.

5. To Copy Files, Install macOS on an External Drive.

For macOS data recovery services, follow these instructions to install macOS on an external hard drive:

  • Step 1: Connect the external drive 
  • Step 2: Choose the boot to macOS recovery method based on your Mac’s model. If asked, enter your admin password. 
  • Step 3: Open disc utility. 
  • Step 4: Using GUID Partition Map, erase your external disc and select the proper format (APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for macOS 10.12 or older). 
  • Step 5: Shut down the disc utility, select Reinstall macOS, and follow the instructions, making sure to designate your external drive as the destination.

6. Retrieve Files Using Target Disc Mode Booting

To transfer data from the non-booting Mac, you should have another functional Mac. On the functional Mac, you must disable File Vault, which is considered the best Mac data recovery choice. 

  • Step 1: Establish a Thunderbolt connection between your two Macs, turn on your non-booting Mac by pressing the T and power buttons, and then select Mac Target Disc Mode. 
  • Step 2: Examine the screen of your working Mac to view the storage disc. 
  • Step 3: You can restore files to your Mac that are in good health from this drive. 

7. Make a Disc Image to get files from a Mac that won’t boot

If you want to recover files from an Apple MacBook Air laptop that won’t boot by making a disc image on the Mac, you need a large-capacity external hard drive that functions properly. 

  • Step 1: Boot the Mac into Disc Utility and connect the external hard disc.
  • Step 2: Choose the disc for startup.
  • Step 3: Using your cursor, choose file, then new. Enter “Blank Image” in this field.
  • Step 4: Choose where you want to keep the image.
  • Step 5: To build a Mac disc image, click save after that.

8. Recover files with APSF Snapshots:

  • Step 1: Choose restore from the time machine after starting recovery mode on your Macbook. 
  • Step 2: Choose the most recent APFS snapshot.
  • Step 3: After that, you can restore using an earlier APFS snapshot by following the instructions.

9. Use a Share Disk for an M1 Mac:

  • Step 1: Using the proper cable, connect both devices. 
  • Step 2: Turn off the Mac that is refusing to boot. 
  • Step 3: Holding the Power button on it will cause the boot manager to display. 
  • Step 4: Proceed by selecting Options. 
  • Step 5: If prompted, enter your admin password. 
  • Step 6: Click Share Disc under Utilities. 
  • Step 7: Click Start Sharing after selecting the disc you wish to share.

10. Recovering Data from an iMac

  • Step 1: After five seconds, unplug the iMac’s power cord and plug it back in.
  • Step 3: After you have put your iMac in target disc mode, attach the Thunderbolt cable to both the functional Mac and your iMac. 
  • Step 4: On the desktop of the operational Mac, the iMac’s hard disc will be visible. 
  • Step 5: Transfer each account’s home folders to an external disc or your Mac.

Also Read: Ways To Recover Deleted Data and Files of A MacBook Pro

Final Thoughts:

Recovery Squad delivers the best data recovery services for Apple MacBook Air laptops in Australia because we hire the most skilled and familiar data recovery specialists. Because of their extensive data storage and retrieval expertise, our engineers can retrieve data that other businesses cannot.