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Dead MacBook, corrupted drive, or accidental deletion? Here's what can realistically be recovered and what it costs.
A photographer came to us last month with a dead MacBook Pro containing 10 years of client work. The machine wouldn't boot at all. Apple had told him data recovery wasn't possible. We extracted everything - every photo, every project file - in about 4 hours.
Data recovery is often possible when people think it isn't. The storage in your MacBook is usually separate from whatever component has failed. Here's what's actually recoverable and what it costs.
Good News
The honest truth: We successfully recover data from the majority of MacBooks brought to us. The storage chip is often completely intact even when everything else has failed. Don't assume your data is gone until a specialist has looked at it.
This is actually often the best case for data recovery. If the MacBook simply won't power on (logic board, power circuit, battery issue), the storage drive is usually completely unaffected. We can remove it and access your data directly. If your Mac needs board-level repair, data extraction is often done first. Also check our MacBook not charging guide – sometimes the fix is simpler than you think.
Water typically damages the logic board first. The SSD is often completely fine. We can usually recover all data even if the MacBook itself is beyond repair. See our liquid damage first 48 hours guide for immediate steps.
When you delete files, the data often remains on the drive until it's overwritten by new data. The sooner you act, the better the chances. Stop using the drive immediately if you've deleted something important.
Clicking sounds, very slow operation, or complete non-detection can indicate drive failure. This is more complex but recovery is often still possible with specialist tools. A failing drive can also cause freezing or make your Mac run slowly.
| Scenario | Typical Success Rate | Complexity |
|---|---|---|
| Logic board failure | Excellent | Simple |
| Water damage (recent) | Very Good | Simple to Moderate |
| Accidental deletion (recent) | Good | Moderate |
| Formatted drive | Moderate | Moderate to Complex |
| Drive corruption | Good | Moderate to Complex |
| Physical drive damage | Variable | Complex |
| FileVault encrypted (no password) | Not possible | Not possible |
Warning
About encryption: If your MacBook has FileVault enabled and you don't have the password or recovery key, we cannot recover your data. This is by design - encryption protects your data from everyone, including recovery specialists.
| Recovery Type | Typical Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Simple extraction (drive removal) | £149-199 | Same day |
| Deleted file recovery | £199-299 | 1-2 days |
| Formatted drive recovery | £249-399 | 2-3 days |
| Complex corruption recovery | £299-599 | 3-5 days |
| Diagnosis (if no recovery possible) | Free | Same day |
No data, no fee. If we can't recover your data, you don't pay.
The best data recovery is the one you never need:
Pro Tip
The 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 stored offsite. Sounds excessive until you need it.
Bring your MacBook in for a free diagnosis. We'll tell you honestly what's recoverable and what it will cost before any work begins. Don't give up on your data until we've had a look. For full pricing across all Mac services, see our UK repair cost guide.
Visit us: Byte, Dovehouse Parade, Solihull.
Mail-in: Free shipping both ways for data recovery.
Complete Guide
MacBook Repair ServicesRead our comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know.