MacBook Pro data recovery recommendations

[marsbarsz]

My MacBook Pro 2018 recently couldn't start up so sent it to an authorised retailer to evaluate and repair it.

They mentioned the logic board caused the unit unable to power on, but did not go further into detail what of the exact cause. This will result in data loss.

There are some important documents inside that I did not managed to back up so I am looking to see anyone have recommendations on data recovery centre for macbooks that can potential save the data?

 

[jtjt00]

Data Recovery Services
http://www.accplus.com.sg/
http://www.adrc.com.sg/
http://www.datasavers.com.sg/

 

[LiLAsN]

I don't know how Macs work, but for Windows, if I have a dead laptop, I'll just take the HDD/SSD out of the laptop, put it in an external enclosure, and be able to access all my data on that drive without any problems on my new laptop/desktop.

If the data is accessible the same way for Macs, then you should do just that. Take apart the old HDD/SSD in your dead Mac, get yourself a USB HDD enclosure and just plug it in like an external HDD/SSD on your new laptop and hopefully, be able to access the contents as easily as Windows can.

 

[Phen8210]

is it your ssd soldered on board.

 

[yusoffb01]

is it your ssd soldered on board.

mac use a stupid design with embedded ssd. motherboard die, lose everything

 

[enenyi]

My MacBook Pro 2018 recently couldn't start up so sent it to an authorised retailer to evaluate and repair it.

They mentioned the logic board caused the unit unable to power on, but did not go further into detail what of the exact cause. This will result in data loss.

There are some important documents inside that I did not managed to back up so I am looking to see anyone have recommendations on data recovery centre for macbooks that can potential save the data?

Did u go to Apple itself or one of the authorised retailers?

And any backup on Time Machine? If there is Time Machine backup, still easy, just restore, you will only stand to lose any data from last backup date till current.

Else, I suggest you pay more to go to Apple itself, even if you have to pay more for out-of-warranty support (assuming you didn't pay for 3-year Apple Care of course). Apple first-party repair may cost more, but because they are first-party, so their instructions for any data recovery will be more detailed than the third-party ones, and anything wrong other than data during the recovery process you can point finger at them, likely they will resolve due to reputation. For third-party, may not be the case. Yes, it is cheaper, but any wrong instructions you will have to bear the consequence, and any other component damaged during the data recovery process they may or may not resolve for you. So it becomes cost vs expertise argument.

If you more daring and willing to attempt data recovery yourself, I don't think there is a MacOS-specific data recovery software. Reputable ones like EaseUS are usually for Windows-only, so you can attempt to use data recovery tools intended for Linux, but they may or may not result in compatibility issues (Apple APFS vs Linux ext4, etc).

 

[marsbarsz]

mac use a stupid design with embedded ssd. motherboard die, lose everything

Yeah my macbook uses SSD, and yeah I agree there was no issues with the SSD, they only mention motherboard issues. It will be a pity if they replace the entire motherboard and loss my data

Did u go to Apple itself or one of the authorised retailers?

And any backup on Time Machine? If there is Time Machine backup, still easy, just restore, you will only stand to lose any data from last backup date till current.

Else, I suggest you pay more to go to Apple itself, even if you have to pay more for out-of-warranty support (assuming you didn't pay for 3-year Apple Care of course). Apple first-party repair may cost more, but because they are first-party, so their instructions for any data recovery will be more detailed than the third-party ones, and anything wrong other than data during the recovery process you can point finger at them, likely they will resolve due to reputation. For third-party, may not be the case. Yes, it is cheaper, but any wrong instructions you will have to bear the consequence, and any other component damaged during the data recovery process they may or may not resolve for you. So it becomes cost vs expertise argument.

If you more daring and willing to attempt data recovery yourself, I don't think there is a MacOS-specific data recovery software. Reputable ones like EaseUS are usually for Windows-only, so you can attempt to use data recovery tools intended for Linux, but they may or may not result in compatibility issues (Apple APFS vs Linux ext4, etc).

I went to A.LAB which was listed as one of the authorised service provider. Should I send the service to Apple directly instead?

Unfortunately, I did not do any backup on Time Machine. I don't mind paying first-hand party price, most importantly is to retrieve the data back

 

[enenyi]

I went to A.LAB which was listed as one of the authorised service provider. Should I send the service to Apple directly instead?

Unfortunately, I did not do any backup on Time Machine. I don't mind paying first-hand party price, most importantly is to retrieve the data back

Yes, please do send to Apple. For your sanity sake. Coz A.Lab not telling you exactly what went wrong with the product during their 'diagnosis' (not sure if they will even charge you for the diagnosis or not) is already a red flag in itself. With Apple providing direct support through Genius Bar, the profit margin for authorised service provider has diminished to a point where they probably will be earning from labour charge and maybe from reselling components as part of the repair process. Apple now controls the supply chain even for authorised service provider (you can only order parts required for the repair upon running approved Apple diagnosis, no more pre-purchasing parts to stock up in shop), so getting caught in their upselling business whilst trying to get your machine repair may or may not leave you frustrated in the end.

 

[Conan1986]

From what I know, Apple and AASP does not provide data recovery service. You can only find those who are capable of recovering data from flash memory chip which is very costly and will also void any warranty if it’s still covered by AppleCare.. all in all it’s gonna cost a bomb..

 

[Hailgod]

probably hopeless. the ssd is built into mobo and encrypted by the t2 security chip.
their own data recovery only works for units that can power on (????)

"Apple notes that the process for data transfer for Macs with the T2 chip will be used when its repair staff are presented with a customer’s machine in need of a logic board repair and when the logic board is “partially functional.” The process also requires that the system can be powered on."
https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/20/apple-t2-data-recovery-transfer-imac-pro-macbook/

 

[cscs3]

mac use a stupid design with embedded ssd. motherboard die, lose everything

Yap, some model. Never like Mac design. Is a closed system.

 

[cscs3]

Did u go to Apple itself or one of the authorised retailers?

And any backup on Time Machine? If there is Time Machine backup, still easy, just restore, you will only stand to lose any data from last backup date till current.

Else, I suggest you pay more to go to Apple itself, even if you have to pay more for out-of-warranty support (assuming you didn't pay for 3-year Apple Care of course). Apple first-party repair may cost more, but because they are first-party, so their instructions for any data recovery will be more detailed than the third-party ones, and anything wrong other than data during the recovery process you can point finger at them, likely they will resolve due to reputation. For third-party, may not be the case. Yes, it is cheaper, but any wrong instructions you will have to bear the consequence, and any other component damaged during the data recovery process they may or may not resolve for you. So it becomes cost vs expertise argument.

If you more daring and willing to attempt data recovery yourself, I don't think there is a MacOS-specific data recovery software. Reputable ones like EaseUS are usually for Windows-only, so you can attempt to use data recovery tools intended for Linux, but they may or may not result in compatibility issues (Apple APFS vs Linux ext4, etc).

His Mac cannot even power up!

 

[cscs3]

probably hopeless. the ssd is built into mobo and encrypted by the t2 security chip.
their own data recovery only works for units that can power on (????)

"Apple notes that the process for data transfer for Macs with the T2 chip will be used when its repair staff are presented with a customer’s machine in need of a logic board repair and when the logic board is “partially functional.” The process also requires that the system can be powered on."
https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/20/apple-t2-data-recovery-transfer-imac-pro-macbook/

You are right, iOS data is encrypted.

 

[enenyi]

His Mac cannot even power up!

Even more so to send into Genius Bar. If first-party diagnosis also says cannot power up, then there is really no hope for data recovery, because Apple's ecosystem is closed off to third-party, especially machines with T2 chips.

If first-party diagnosis doesn't corroborate with third-party diagnosis, then there is a bit of hope that the data might be salvaged with the Genius Bar specialized tools. Remember that due to Apple's unique way of designing stuff, they have proprietary tools that we cannot even dream of to troubleshoot their own machines. And third-party may not have the relevant tools to do so.

 

[jtjt00]

Backup should be the way forward.