Easily Recover Lost Files on Crashed/Dead MacBook

When a MacBook Goes Silent: What’s Next?

Few things are as gut-wrenching as pressing your MacBook’s power button and… nothing. No chime. No screen. Just silence. Whether your Mac has suffered a sudden crash, won’t boot past the Apple logo, or is completely dead, the thought of losing important work, photos, or personal files is enough to make anyone panic.

This guide is written for those moments—when you feel like all is lost. But here’s the good news: it’s not.

Even if your MacBook is unresponsive, your data may still be intact inside the internal SSD. With the right tools and methods, you can recover those files—even if macOS won’t load or the screen remains black.

This article outlines five detailed, effective methods to recover data from crashed or dead MacBooks. One of them leverages a custom-built recovery solution from iDatApp, while the others explore native macOS capabilities and direct hardware access. Let’s get your files back—safely and step-by-step.

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Why MacBooks Crash and How It Affects Your Data

Before jumping into recovery solutions, let’s unpack what causes MacBook crashes and how they impact your files:

• macOS corruption due to bad updates, failed reboots, or file system damage
• Hardware failure like SSD issues, motherboard malfunctions, or battery short-circuits
• Liquid damage that prevents the MacBook from powering on
• Physical trauma (e.g., dropping your MacBook) that causes internal disconnections

Even if your Mac won’t turn on, your internal SSD often remains intact—meaning your data still exists. Your task? Access it.

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Method 1: Use Target Disk Mode (For Intel Macs)

Target Disk Mode is a feature that turns your crashed Mac into a high-speed external drive, allowing you to mount and access its data from another Mac. It’s one of Apple’s built-in recovery features, primarily available on Intel-based MacBooks, and it’s surprisingly effective when the MacBook won’t boot but still powers on.

This method assumes the internal hardware—especially the SSD—is undamaged. If your Mac crashes during startup or has a screen issue but powers on, this method may be your quickest fix.

Bellow are the steps details:

1. Grab a second working MacBook.
2. Connect both MacBooks using a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable.
3. On the crashed Mac, hold the T key and then press the Power button.
4. If successful, the crashed Mac’s drive will appear as an external volume on the working Mac.
5. Open the drive and cOpy the files to a safe destination.

Note:

• Make sure the battery has some charge; a dead battery will prevent Target Disk Mode from launching.
• Doesn’t work on M1 or newer Macs—only Intel models.

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Method 2: Sharing Mode for Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 Macs)

If you’re using a MacBook with Apple Silicon (M1 or later), Target Disk Mode has been replaced by Mac Sharing Mode. This modern equivalent lets users share their internal drive over the network to another Mac—even if macOS won’t boot normally. It’s particularly helpful when your Mac crashes during updates or becomes stuck at startup.

The process involves booting into macOS Recovery, enabling disk sharing, and accessing the Mac’s storage through another computer.

1. Connect your dead/crashed M1/M2 MacBook to a working Mac using a USB-C cable.
2. Press and hold the Power button until the startup options appear.
3. Click Options > Continue, then select Utilities > Share Disk.
4. Choose your startup disk and enable sharing.
5. On the working Mac, go to Finder > Network, select the shared drive, and authenticate.
6. Browse and copy the data to a secure location.

Note:

• Requires knowledge of your Mac’s password, especially if FileVault is enabled.
• Your Mac must reach Recovery Mode—completely dead machines won’t work with this method.

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Method 3: iDATAPP Mac Data Recovery (No System Boot Required)

If your MacBook is truly unresponsive—no boot, no screen, no Recovery Mode—software methods may still work if the SSD is physically undamaged. That’s where iDatApp’s Mac Data Recovery tool comes in. Designed for non-bootable systems, formatted drives, and even logically corrupted volumes, this tool gives you a powerful recovery path without relying on third-party apps or Apple support.

The process involves removing the SSD from your dead MacBook (if possible) and connecting it to a working Mac using a USB-C enclosure. From there, iDatApp scans the drive and restores recoverable files.

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Steps to recover lost files on Macbook:

Step 1: Gently remove the SSD from your MacBook (only possible on older models).

Step 2: Place the SSD into a compatible USB-C enclosure.

Step 3: Connect it to a working Mac and install iDatApp Mac Data Recovery.

Step 4: Launch the software, select the connected drive, and begin scanning.

Step 5: Preview files and restore important documents, images, and more.

Note:

• Some MacBooks (especially M1/M2 models) have non-removable SSDs. This method won’t apply if the SSD is soldered to the logic board.
• Always use an anti-static mat or gloves when removing internal components.

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Method 4: Use macOS Recovery & Terminal (Without Logging In)

If your MacBook isn’t entirely dead but fails to boot into the desktop, you may still be able to access your files through macOS Recovery Mode. From there, Terminal gives you command-line access to copy files directly from the internal drive to an external one.

This method is ideal for users comfortable with basic commands. It’s particularly effective if your Mac’s system is corrupted but the hardware is fine.

Next are the steps:

1.Turn off your Mac completely.

2.Boot into Recovery Mode by pressing Command (⌘) + R as you power it on.

3.In the Utilities window, choose Disk Utility to verify the disk's integrity.

4.If the drive is accessible, exit Disk Utility and open Terminal.

5.Plug in an external USB or SSD drive.

6.Use Terminal commands like cp to copy files:

• bash
• cp -R /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/yourname/Documents /Volumes/MyExternal/

Note:

• Only use this if the drive is visible and readable in Disk Utility.
• Be cautious with command syntax to avoid overwriting important data.
• Not recommended for complete beginners or users unfamiliar with Terminal.

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Method 5: Physical SSD Removal + Mount on Another Mac

When all else fails—and the device is dead beyond recovery—your last resort may be physically removing the SSD and accessing it via another machine. This is only viable if your MacBook has a removable SSD, as newer models (M1 onward) come with soldered storage.

By placing the SSD into a USB enclosure and plugging it into another Mac, you can mount the drive like any external disk and copy the files.

1. Confirm your Mac model supports SSD removal (check Apple’s specs or iFixit).
2. Use a precision screwdriver to open the case.
3. Gently remove the SSD and place it in a USB-C SSD enclosure.
4. Connect it to a working Mac and check if it mounts in Finder.
5. Copy all accessible data to a new location.

Note:

• This voids your warranty.
• Risk of hardware damage if improperly handled.
• Not applicable to most MacBooks from 2020 onward due to soldered components.

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How to Prevent Data Loss Next Time

Once your data is safe, it’s time to ensure it never happens again. Data loss is preventable with consistent habits and good digital hygiene:

• Use Time Machine regularly to back up your system.
• Store key documents on iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
• Avoid force shutdowns or interrupting updates.
• Monitor your SSD health using free diagnostic tools.
• Invest in a reliable external SSD for local backups.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Conclusion

Recovering lost files from a crashed or dead MacBook may feel like a daunting challenge, but with the right method—and a bit of patience—it’s completely doable. Whether you opt for built-in macOS features like Target Disk Mode or rely on powerful tools like iDatApp Data Recovery, you have options.

Each method above is tailored for different levels of system failure, from minor software crashes to total hardware silence. Don’t let panic dictate your next move—evaluate your situation, choose the right path, and restore what matters most.