TestDisk is a free, open-source tool that recovers lost partitions on your Mac and fixes disks that will not boot. If a drive suddenly shows the wrong size, will not mount, or lost a partition after a crash or accidental change, TestDisk can often find and restore it.

Key Features

• Partition Recovery: TestDisk scans your drive for lost or deleted partitions and can rebuild the partition table.
• Fixes Boot Errors: It can repair issues that stop a drive from booting, caused by a damaged partition table or boot sector.
• Step-by-Step Interface: TestDisk runs from the command line, but it walks you through each step, so you do not need to memorize commands.
• Cross-Platform: TestDisk runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, and other systems.
• Free and Open Source: TestDisk is released under the GPL license, so its code is public and it costs nothing to use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is TestDisk free?

Yes. TestDisk is completely free, with no paid version.

Is TestDisk open source?

Yes. TestDisk is open source under the GPL license.

Does TestDisk have a graphical interface?

No. TestDisk runs from the command line on Mac, though it does offer a step-by-step menu to guide you through recovery.

What is the difference between TestDisk and PhotoRec?

TestDisk recovers lost partitions and fixes boot problems. PhotoRec recovers individual deleted files. Both tools come from the same developer and are often used together.

Can TestDisk recover a partition after a reformat?

In many cases, yes. TestDisk can often find and rebuild a partition that was accidentally deleted or lost after a reformat, though results depend on how much new data was written to the drive since then.

Is TestDisk safe to use?

Yes, but mistakes with disk tools can cause data loss. Follow the on-screen steps carefully and avoid writing new data to the affected drive before you finish recovery.