5 Ways to Recover Missing Files after Mac Update to Calalina or Mojave

The beta version of newest macOS 10.15 Catalina has been released with some really cool features and a lot of mac users can't wait to install it on App Store. Or you are finally ready to update to the Mojave version and start your own new journey. Most of the time, we get a perfect mac update and enjoy all the way to the next update. However, some of our mac users just run into following troubles when updating their mac to the latest macOS version:

• Missing files after mac update;
• Mac won't start/boot/login after update;
• Mac freezes during or after the update;
• Apple store can’t connect with a US account;
• Run slow;
• Battery life is shortened;
• External devices don't work on mac;

......

Today, we are going to give 5 solutions to recover your missing files after mac update to Catalina or Mojave.

Why Missing Files after Mac Update to Catalina or Mojave?

“Missing files after mac update” is a main complaint when users update from Mojave to Catalina or from High Sierra to Mojave, this issue can be caused by several situations:

• Haven’t back up import files on Time Machine. In the event of an accident, the files would be deleted completely, as macOS will be upgraded after deleting all previous files on your hard drive;
• macOS installed unsuccessfully or interruptedly. The old files are affected that became inaccessible or lost from the drive.
• Excessive disk fragmentation will lead to the damage of hard drive. Then, your new system may overwrite or delete files from it;
• That hard drive doesn’t have enough storage space will cause the missing files after mac update as well;
• Doesn’t upgrade system regularly, as you know, new system, especially the beta version exists many bugs;

 

5 Ways to Recover Files after Catalina/Mojave Update

#1 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.

 

#2 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.

 

#3 Easiest Way to Recover Missing Files after Mac Update

It is a common sense that the easiest and most efficient way to recover missing files after mac update is using a professional program. On macOS 10.15 Catalina or 10.14 Mojave, System Integrity Protection (SIP) prevents any app from reading startup drive. Therefore, you should temporarily disable SIP firstly if you want to recover lost files after mac update using apps.

How to disable System Integrity protection?

Recover Missing Files with Cisdem

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 accidental deletion, RAW hard drive, RAW partition, system crashed, emptying recycle bin, system update or other reasons. Apart from Mac internal drive, it can also recover deleted, formatted and lost files from other removable devices.

 

#4 Recover Lost Files from Time Machine

The Time Machine is a piece of backup software that was integrated into the Mac operating system. Mac update deleted everything? The 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.

 

#5 Contact Apple Support

The last but not the least method to recover data if 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 as writing emails as instructed on the contact webpage.

 

Tips to Stop Missing Files after Mac Update

You can take the simple measures below to avoid missing files after mac update:

• Check to see if your Mac can run macOS 10.15 or 10.14;
• 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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