6 Ways to Recover Missing Files After Mac Update to Big Sur or Catalina

macOS 11 Big Sur has been released for quite a while and many users have updated or plan to update to this latest version. Most of the time, we get a perfect mac update and enjoy all the way to the next update. However, we may run into troubles when updating mac to the latest macOS Big Sur or Catalina version.

Among all troubles, "Missing files after mac update", "I updated my mac and lost everything" are main complaints when users update from Catalina to Big Sur or from Mojave to Catalina, this can be caused:

• macOS installed unsuccessfully or interruptedly;
• Excessive disk fragmentation leads to the damage of hard drive;
• Mac hard drive doesn’t have enough storage space for missing files;
• Don’t upgrade system regularly;
• Haven’t back up import files via Time Machine or others;

But no worries anymore, we are going to give 6 solutions to recover your missing files after mac update to Big Sur or Catalina.

#1 Easiest Way to Recover Missing Files after Mac Update with Success

Performing data recovery software is not a particularly difficult affair. You just need a helpful, dedicated and high-efficiency tool, like Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac. It can recover variety of files whether it’s caused by macOS update, accidental deletion, system crash, sudden power off, emptying recycle bin or other reasons. Apart from Mac internal drive, it can also recover deleted, formatted and lost files from other removable devices.

Cisdem Data Recovery Features

• 5 recover modes to recover missing, deleted, formatted files on mac
• Recover 200+ types of files (documents, videos, audios, images, etc.)
• Recover from virtually all internal and external drives
• Fast scanning and allow resuming scanning
• Preview files in original quality before recovery
• High recovery rate

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How to Recover Missing or Lost Files after Mac Update?

1. Download and install Cisdem Data Recovery onto your Mac.
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2. Choose Recovery Mode.
   Launch the program and choose a recovery mode. There are 5 recovery modes on the main interface, we recommend you to use basic data recovery at first. If you are not satisfied with the result, try advanced data recovery.
3. Scan Missing Files after Mac Update.
   The software will detect and show partitions on your Mac. Select a specific location where you lost your files, and click Scan button to process.
4. Recover Missing Files after Mac Update.
   Once the scanning completed, the program will show the list of files that can be retrieved in the categories of document, photo, audio, video, archive and other. You can preview the missing files and select for later recovery. 
5. Click “Recover” to get all the missing files back to your mac.

#2 Recover Lost Files from Time Machine

Time Machine is a piece of backup software that was integrated into the Mac operating system, it can be used to back up your files automatically to an external hard drive. Mac update deleted everything? Time Machine can help you recover lost photos, iPhone pictures, documents, calendars, etc. easily. But only if you have backup files as I said.

1. Reboot your Mac, then hold down Command + R keys to boot into Recovery Mode at once;
2. Choose Restore from Time Machine Backup and click Continue;
3. Run Time Machine on Mac, select the files you need to recover and click on Space Bar to preview the files;
4. Click the Restore button to recover missing files after mac update;

Sometimes Time Machine shows you errors due to the wrong operation or Mac performance. It’s not always successful to recover missing files after mac update. At this time, try Cisdem Data Recovery.

#3 Turn Off Saving Files on iCloud Drive

One great benefit that macOS offers to its users is the expanded storage space on iCloud, if you have turn on iCloud Drive, the missing files after mac update are just moved to your iCloud Drive and you need to turn this feature off.

1. Click on the Apple icon, choose System Preferences>iCloud;
2. Click on Options under iCloud Drive;
3. Make sure the box before Desktop & Document Folders is deselected. Then click “Done”;
4. Then login into your iCoud account, download the files in your iCloud Drive to Mac as needed.

#4 Login into Different User Account

Don’t be surprised that you are recommended to doing so. Yes, I am quite sure you know which account and how you should login into, but sometimes, macOS update just deletes your old user account profile but keeps the home folder, and that’s the reason why your files are gone and missing. In this case, you just need to add your old profile back and login into again.

1. Click on the Apple icon, select “Log out xxx”;
2. Then login with your previous used account again to check if the files can be found, you are recommended to try on all registered accounts on your mac;
3. If you are not given the choice to login using your old account, click Apple icon>System Preferences>Users & Groups, click on the padlock with your password to add the old account as exactly as before. Then login in to find the missing files.

#5 Manually Check All Your Folders on Mac

Most of the times, we cannot pinpoint the exact reasons causing missing files after mac update and it is a challenge to find back the missing files especially when you are not quite proficient at using your Mac. In this case, you are recommended to manually check each folder on your mac and find the missing files. 

Notes: If there is any folder named as Recovered or Recover-related under an user account, you should never miss these folders, please carefully check each sub folder for missing files.

1. Click on Apple icon and bring up the Apple Menu;
2. Go to Go>Go to Folder;
3. Input “~” and continue with Go;
4. Then check each folder and its subfolders on your mac, find the missing files after mac update.

#6 Contact Apple Support

The last but not the least method to recover data when mac update deleted your files is contacting the Apple Support team. Yes, they are professional and what you need to do is submitting a form online, give a call or write emails as instructed on the contact webpage.

Tips to Avoid Missing File After Mac Update

You can take the simple measures below to avoid missing files after mac update to Big Sur or Catalina:

• Check to see if your Mac can run macOS 11 Big Sur or macOS 10.15 Catalina
• Check if there any errors on Disk Utility;
• Disable login/startup items before upgrading;
• Turn on Time Machine and connect an external drive to make automatic backups;
• Free up and leave sufficient space to update macOS;
• Remain at least 45 percent of power on your Mac and keep the network smooth;
• Make sure the apps on your Mac are up-to-date;

Final Words

It is true that you should try different ways to recover the missing files after macOS update, the issue can be easy or difficult, as long as you find the appropriate method to fix it. Generally speaking, if you have backed up your mac, you can easily find back the missing files via Time Machine or other online storage service, otherwise, you are recommended to use Cisdem Data Recovery, which can guarantee that most of the missing files can be restored.

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