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Mac users like LaCie external HDDs and SSDs because they are reliable, have a lot of space, and look good. However, many things can go wrong and cause data loss. Losing important files is stressful, but getting them back is often possible, even on macOS.

LaCie Thunderbolt external hard drive file recovery on Mac

This guide gives Mac users a complete rundown of the best ways to retrieve lost info from a LaCie external hard drive. You'll find a step-by-step guide, suggested software tools, and tips on undeleting a file or fixing a more complicated problem like a damaged drive or physical damage. Using these tips, you can recover your data and stop losing it again.

Common Causes of Data Loss on LaCie External Hard Drive

Before getting into how to get your data back, it's helpful to know why LaCie external hard drives lose data in the first place. Figuring out what caused the problem can help you pick the best way to improve.

1. Formatting Errors

When you format a drive, all of its data is erased. However, users may accidentally format their LaCie drive because they don't realize they chose the wrong one. Otherwise, if macOS can't find the file system, it may ask you to format the drive.

2. File System Corruption

File system failure can happen when the drive is ejected incorrectly, power goes out, or software crashes. If the file systems are damaged, the drive might not be able to be read, and macOS might ask you to restart the disk, which would delete your data if you do it.

3. Physical Damage

If you drop the LaCie external hard drive, let water get on it, or it breaks mechanically, you might not be able to access your data. It is harder to get data back from drives that have been physically broken, but it is not impossible.

4. Malware or Virus Attacks

Malware can still attack macOS, but not as easily as on other operating systems. Malware or viruses can damage files, making your LaCie external hard drive lose data or inaccessible.

Before Recovering Lost Data from LaCie HDD/SSD on Mac

Getting your surroundings and tools ready before you start the data recovery process is important for the best chance of success.

1. Verify the Drive's Connection

Make sure that your Mac and LaCie drive are properly linked. Try a different USB port or cord to ensure there aren't any connection problems. If the drive won't show up, connect it to a different computer to see if the issue still happens.

2. Avoid Initialization

It's best to say no to macOS's offer to start the drive. When the drive is initialized, it will be formatted, which could mean all your data is lost forever.

3. Check for Backup

Check to see if you have any files before you start the data recovery process. If you back up your files often with Time Machine or another service, you can get them back without doing anything else.

Free Methods to Recover Lost Data from LaCie HDD/SSD on Mac

Once you're ready, you can use one of the following ways to regain your data. These ways range from simple built-in tools to complex software from a third party.

Method 1: Using Time Machine

Time Machine is a built-in backup program for macOS. It can be easy to regain lost data from a LaCie external drive if you've used Time Machine to back up your system & external device regularly.

How to Use a Time Machine to Get Back Data:

  • Hook up your Time Machine drive to your Mac.
  • To get to Time Machine, go to the menu bar, click the Time Machine button, and then choose "Enter Time Machine" or "Browse Time Machine Backups."
  • Find the spot on the LaCie drive where the lost files were stored before you lost them.
  • Through the timeline on the right side of the screen, you can look through different saved copies.
  • When you find the things you need to get back, click Restore next to them.
  • Time Machine will put the files back on the LaCie drive where they were before.

Recover Lost Data from LaCie HDD/SSD on Mac

Method 2: Using macOS Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a strong tool that comes with macOS and can help you figure out what's wrong with your disks and fix them. It doesn't have advanced data recovery tools but can fix small problems that keep you from getting to your files.

Steps to Use Disk Utility:

  • You can open Disk Utility by going to Applications > Utilities.
  • The LaCie external hard drive should be on the list of drives on the left side of the window. Press on it.
  • Press Run after clicking on First Aid. Disk Utility will look for problems on the drive and try to fix any that it finds.

    repair LaCie drive on Mac

  • You can get to your files again if the repair works.
  • If Disk Utility can't fix the drive or still can't find your files, you might need to use data recovery software from a different company.
Fix LaCie External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac

Fix LaCie External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac

Find out why your LaCie external hard drive is not recognized by your Mac and fix this issue without losing data.

Method 3: Recover Lost Data from LaCie External Hard Drive

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free is a free data recovery program for macOS. It supports to recover lost data from internal drive, external DD, SSD, USB flash drive, digital camera, memory card, etc. It can help you securely and completely recover lost data from a LaCie external hard drive on Mac.

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac

  • Recover permanently deleted files from LaCie external hard drive on Mac.
  • Recovery formatted LaCie external hard drive on Mac.
  • Recover inaccessible data from LaCie external hard drive on Mac.

Follow these steps to recover lost data from a LaCie external hard drive on Mac:

Step 1. Download and install Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free on your Mac and connect the LaCie external hard drive to the same Mac.

Open Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free and select the LaCie external hard drive to start data recovery.

recover lost data from a LaCie external hard drive on Mac

Step 2. Click on Scan button to deeply scan the LaCie external hard drive and find all recoverable files.

recover lost data from a LaCie external hard drive on Mac

Step 3. Once the scan gets finished, you can preview all recoverable files, then select the wanted files, click on Recover button to save them.

recover lost data from a LaCie external hard drive on Mac

This program also can help you fix corrupted LaCie external hard drive on Mac:

  • Open Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free.
  • Choose Disk Manager.
  • Select the LaCie external hard drive.
  • Click on First Aid button to repair the LaCie external hard drive.

recover lost data from a LaCie external hard drive on Mac

Conclusion:

Losing data on a LaCie external hard drive can be stressful, but getting it back with the right tools and methods is usually possible. This guide has shown you several ways to regain the data you lost on a Mac. Remember to move quickly, not overwrite data, and get help from a professional if needed. It will keep your important files safe and easy to reach.

FAQs About Free LaCie External Hard Drive Data Recovery on Mac

1. How to recover deleted files or lost files from a LaCie external hard drive on Mac?

Free Mac data recovery software can help you recover deleted files from LaCie external hard drive:

  • Download and install Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free.
  • Open this free Mac data recovery software and select the LaCie external hard drive to start data recovery.
  • Click on Scan button to deeply scan the LaCie external hard drive.
  • Preview and recover lost files after scanning.

2. How to unformat a LaCie external hard drive on Mac?

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free can help you recover lost data from a formatted LaCie external hard drive on Mac. It deeply scans the drive and find all deleted/erased or lost files.

3. How to fix a damaged LaCie external hard drive on Mac?

Disk Utility can help you repair a damaged LaCie external hard drive on Mac:

  • Connect the LaCie external hard drive to your Mac.
  • Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility, open Disk Utility.
  • Select the LaCie external hard drive.
  • Click on First Aid button, then click Run to start repairing the LaCie external hard drive.

4. What is the best free LaCie external hard drive data recovery software for Mac?

Here is the list of top 5 free LaCie external hard drive data recovery software for Mac:

  • Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free
  • PhotoRec
  • Magoshare Data Recovery for Mac
  • Lazesoft Free Mac Data Recovery
  • R-Studio

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free is a free & 100% safe data recovery software program for macOS. It supports to recover all file formats such as images, videos, documents, RAW files. With this program, you can easily recover all lost files from a LaCie external hard drive.

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac, one of the best Mac data recovery software, can help you easily and completely recover deleted, formatted or lost files from Mac HDD/SSD, external HDD/SDD, USB drive, memory card, digital camera, or other storage devices.

DoYourData Author

Written & Updated by Justin Kenny

Justin Kenny is a writer & editor of DoYourData. He joined DoYourData in 2016 and focuses on writing articles about Windows data recovery, Mac data recovery, external device data recovery, hard drive clone, data erasure, Mac cleanup, computer issue fixes, etc. He is a super fan of Apple devices and is big on testing new digital device and system utility software.

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