Recover Formatted WD External Hard Drive on Mac: A Complete Guide

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Accidentally formatting a WD external hard drive can be a nightmare, especially if it contains essential files, documents, photos, or videos. Formatting erases the file system and makes the data inaccessible, but in many cases, the files are still physically present on the drive until they are overwritten. Fortunately, Mac users have multiple ways to recover a formatted WD external hard drive, including software tools, backups, and professional recovery services.

In this guide, we will explore the best methods to recover a formatted WD external hard drive on Mac, understand the factors that affect recovery success, and discuss preventive measures to avoid future data loss.

Understand Data Recovery on a Formatted WD Drive on Mac

Before diving into recovery methods for recovering formatted WD external HDD/SSD on Mac, it is crucial to understand how formatting works and its impact on data retrieval.

How Does Formatting Affect Data?

When you format a WD external hard drive on Mac, the operating system erases the file system, making the drive appear empty. However, the actual data remains on the drive until it is overwritten by new files.

Types of Formatting and Their Impact on Recovery:

• Quick Format: A quick format erases only the file system metadata, but the data remains intact. Recovery is highly possible with the right tools.
• Full Format: A full format overwrites the data, making recovery much more difficult.
• Reformatting to a Different File System: If you formatted from NTFS to APFS or exFAT, recovery is still possible but may require specialized software.

Factors That Affect Recovery Success:

1. Time Since Formatting – The sooner you attempt recovery, the better the chances of retrieving data.
2. Overwritten Data – If new files are saved on the drive, old data may be permanently lost.
3. Type of Formatting – Quick format allows better recovery chances than a full format.
4. Recovery Tools Used – Using professional recovery software increases the likelihood of successful restoration.

Precautions Before Attempting Recovery:

If you've accidentally formatted your WD external hard drive, follow these steps to maximize recovery chances:

• Stop using the drive immediately – Writing new data can overwrite recoverable files.
• Do not install recovery software on the same drive – Install the software on your Mac's internal drive instead.
• Ensure the drive is properly connected – Use a working USB cable and port to avoid disconnection during recovery.

Now that we have covered the basics, let's move on to the best recovery methods.

Best Methods to Recover Data from a Formatted WD External Hard Drive on Mac

Method 1. Recover WD Drive Data via Time Machine (If Backup Exists)

Time Machine is macOS's built-in backup solution. If you had previously backed up your files stored on the WD external hard drive, recovery is straightforward.

Steps to Restore from Time Machine:

Step 1. Ensure you have connected the backup disk to your Mac, then go to System Settings > General > Time Machine, open Time Machine. If possible, open Finder and navigate to the folder where the lost files were stored.

Step 2. Click Time Machine icon on Apple menu bar, choose Browse Time Machine Backups.

Step 3. To view earlier iterations, use the timeline or arrows.

Step 4. Select the files you want to recover and click Restore.

If you have a backup, this is the easiest and safest way to recover lost data. However, if you don't have a Time Machine backup, move on to the next method.

Method 2. Unformat WD Drive on Mac With Data Recovery Software

Several third-party recovery tools can scan and restore lost files from a formatted WD external hard drive.

Donemax Data Recovery for Mac is one of the best WD data recovery software for macOS. It supports to recover all lost data from a formatted WD external HDD or SSD. It also can help you recover inaccessible/lost data from an unreadable or inaccessible WD external hard drive, repair damaged WD external hard drive on Mac.

Now, follow the steps below to recover lost data from a formatted WD external hard drive on Mac:

Step 1. Connect the formatted WD external hard drive to your Mac. Click Download button below to download Donemax Data Recovery for Mac, then install it on your Mac.

Step 2. Open Donemax Data Recovery for Mac, you can find the formatted WD external hard drive, then select it to start data recovery.

Step 3. Click on Scan button to deeply scan the formatted WD external hard drive and find all erased/deleted files.

Step 4. Once the scan is completed, you can preview all recoverable files. Then click on Recover button. It is recommended to save the files to another drive.

If software solutions fail or your drive has physical damage, professional data recovery services may be your only option. These services use specialized equipment to retrieve lost data from formatted or damaged drives.

When Should You Consider Professional Recovery?

• Your WD external drive is not detected by your Mac.
• The drive makes clicking, beeping, or grinding noises.
• The drive was physically damaged (e.g., dropped or exposed to water).
• You need to recover highly valuable or sensitive data.

Top Data Recovery Services for WD Hard Drives:

1. DriveSavers Data Recovery – Trusted by major tech companies, offers a free evaluation.
2. Ontrack Data Recovery – Known for handling extreme cases, including physically damaged drives.
3. Secure Data Recovery – Provides emergency recovery with high success rates.

Cost of Professional Data Recovery:

• Basic recovery: $100 - $300
• Advanced recovery (physical damage): $500 - $2,000+
• Emergency recovery (same-day service): $3,000+

Professional recovery can be expensive, so it is recommended as a last resort.

Recovering a formatted WD external hard drive on Mac is possible with the right approach. If you have a Time Machine backup, recovery is simple. If not, data recovery software like Donemax Data Recovery for Mac can help retrieve lost files.

To prevent future data loss, always back up your files using Time Machine, cloud storage, or external backups. Implementing these precautions will ensure your important data remains safe, even in unexpected situations.

Conclusion

Accidentally formatting a WD external hard drive on Mac does not necessarily mean your data is lost forever. With the right recovery methods, such as using Time Machine backups, professional recovery software, or advanced macOS tools, you have a high chance of retrieving your files. If all else fails, professional data recovery services can help.

To minimize future data loss, always back up important files, use external drives carefully, and consider cloud storage solutions. By taking these precautions, you can avoid unnecessary stress and ensure your valuable data remains secure.

FAQs About Recover Formatted WD External Hard Drive on Mac

1. How to recover lost data from a formatted WD external hard drive on Mac?

The best way to recover lost data from a formatted WD external hard drive is to use data recovery software. Data recovery software can deeply scan the formatted WD external hard drive and find all recoverable files.

• Download and install Donemax Data Recovery for Mac on your Mac.
• Open Donemax Data Recovery for Mac, select the formatted WD external hard drive.
• Click on Scan button.
• Preview and recover lost files after scanning.

2. What is the best WD unformat software for Mac?

Here is the list of top 5 data recovery software for unformatting WD external hard drive on Mac:

• Donemax Data Recovery for Mac
• Do Your Data Recovery for Mac
• Stellar Data Recovery
• PhotoRec
• iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac

3. How to fix unreadable WD external hard drive on Mac?

Method 1. Use Disk Utility to Repair WD External Hard Drive on Mac

Open Disk Utility, select the WD external hard drive, click on First Aid button, then click on Run button.

Method 2. Use macOS Terminal (For Advanced Users)

If you are comfortable using command-line tools, macOS Terminal provides built-in utilities for checking and repairing formatted drives. While Terminal won't "undelete" files like recovery software, it can sometimes repair minor file system errors that might make the data accessible again.

◾Using diskutil to Check the Drive

Step 1. Open Terminal from Utilities via Applications.

Step 2. Type the following command to list all connected drives:

diskutil list

This will show a list of all disks, including their identifiers (e.g., /dev/disk4).

Step 3. Identify your WD external hard drive and run the following command:

diskutil verifyDisk /dev/diskX

(Replace diskX with your actual disk identifier, e.g., disk4).

Step 4. If errors are detected, run:

diskutil repairDisk /dev/diskX

Step 5. Once completed, disconnect and reconnect your drive to check if files are accessible.

◾Using fsck to Repair the File System

If diskutil does not work, the fsck command may help.

Step 1. Boot your Mac into Single User Mode by restarting and holding Command (⌘) + S.

Step 2. Type the following command and press Enter:

fsck_hfs -fy /dev/diskX

Step 3. Wait for the process to complete. If errors are fixed, restart your Mac and check if the drive is accessible.

4. How to recover lost data from a WD external hard drive which is erased by Disk Utility?

The data which is erased by Disk Utility is not lost for good. It can be recovered by data recovery software - such as Donemax Data Recovery for Mac.

This data recovery software can deeply scan the erased WD external hard drive and find all deleted/erased/lost files. You can completely get all lost files back.

5. How to prevent data loss on WD external hard drive?

To avoid facing the same issue again, follow these best practices:

• Regularly back up your data using Time Machine or cloud storage.
• Use "read-only" mode when accessing important files to prevent accidental modification.
• Label your drives properly to avoid accidental formatting.
• Be cautious when using Disk Utility and double-check before formatting a drive.

By implementing these precautions, you can prevent data loss and ensure your files remain safe.