You are in a rush when you transfer some important files from your USB drive to your computer in a split second. You accidentally format your USB drive using Disk Utility. You panic that your valuable data such as work documents, photos or projects are gone. Don’t worry you are not alone. Many people face this problem. You may wonder, “How can I recover USB files I accidentally formatted? Is it possible to recover?”

Yeah it is possible, you can recover lost files from USB with the right approach and tools. In this post you can explore how to recover lost files from USB:

Understanding the Effect 

Accidentally formatting a USB drive can be a distressing experience and you can face all your store data on your device will be lost. But you should understand that when you format a USB drive using tools such as Disk Utility, the data isn’t immediately destroyed. The system marks the space occupied by the original files and now it is available for new data. This means that new data hasn’t overwritten the original content and there is a high possibility that you can recover USB files.

The important reason for this is how file systems manage data. When you delete or format a drive, the system doesn’t remove the data. It removes only the pointers or references to the data which makes it invisible. The files may still reside on the drive but are hidden and safe. Once new files are save onto the drive, these old data clusters could be overwritten which makes the recovery process difficult and also impossible.

This is why you should stop using the USB drive immediately because it may accidentally format. The longer you continue to use it, the higher the chances that new data will overwrite the deleted files which makes them irrecoverable. If you use appropriate methods, you can recover lost files from USB after an accidental format.

Steps to Recover USB Files after Formatting

  • Stop using the USB Drive

If you want to recover your file, you should minimize writing on the USB drive. This will maximize your chances of recovery. Stop using the USB drive immediately.

  • Check the trash or time machine backup                                                              

Before moving into specialized recovery tools, check some simple solutions. Sometimes, data was remove from a USB drive during the format process. You can check your Mac’s Trash folder. If you backed up your USB contents with Time Machine, you might also be able to restore the files from there.

  • Use Data Recovery Software

If you didn’t back up your USB, there are various data recovery software options available. So you can recover lost files from USB drives. Here you can see some steps on how to recover lost files from USB using software:

  • Install a Recovery Tool

You have to choose a reputable data recovery program. Those tools will scan your USB drive and retrieve the deleted files.

  • Scan the USB Drive

After installing the recovery software, select your USB drive and start a deep scan. This will allow the software to search the entire drive for any recoverable data.

  • Preview and Recover Files

The software will display the recoverable files once you completed the scanning process. You can choose the one you want to recover. Then save them to a computer hard drive or other place to avoid overwriting.

  • Use Professional USB Data Recovery Services 

If the software doesn’t yield better results you should consider getting help from a professional. USB data recovery services have some specialized tools and techniques to recover lost data in situations where consumer software falls short. The process involves:

  • Data Recovery Consultation

Top rated data recovery companies provide free phone consultations to help assess the situation and provide guidance on the next steps.

  • Expert Evaluation

Their experienced technicians will evaluate your USB drive for physical and logical damage which will determine the best recovery approach.

  • Safe Recovery Process

If the data is recoverable, they will retrieve the lost files. It ensures the process is done with safety.

  • What if the Data is Overwritten? 

If you have overwritten the original file with data, it can be challenging for you to recover. In these situations, advanced recovery software may not be able to restore your files. But data recovery professionals with the right tools and expertise may recover your lost USB files. It depends on how much overwriting has occurred.

Read Also: A Complete Guide for Lost Data Recover from USB Flash Drives and SD Cards

Final Thoughts

If you have accidentally formatted your USB drive using Disk Utility and are looking for ways to recover USB files, you should remember that recovery is possible. You can try using data recovery software or find professional USB data recovery services. But for the best results if you are dealing with an extensive data loss, professional help from experts such as Recovery Squad is your best bet.

Our skilled technicians have years of experience in recovering lost files from USB. Without any hesitation, you can contact the Recovery Squad.