Apple Mac Data Recovery

Swindon Data Recovery: The UK’s Premier Apple MacBook & iMac Data Recovery Specialists | 25 Years of Technical Excellence

For 25 years, Swindon Data Recovery has been the UK’s leading specialist in recovering data from Apple Mac systems. Our state-of-the-art laboratory combines quarter-century expertise with Apple-specific recovery equipment to handle the unique challenges of Mac storage systems. We maintain the UK’s most comprehensive inventory of Apple proprietary components, T2/M-series security chip tools, and specialized interface solutions to ensure maximum success rates for Apple computing devices.

Comprehensive Apple Model Support

Top 40 MacBook & Mac Air Models Supported:

1. MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

2. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

3. MacBook Air (13-inch, M1, 2020)

4. MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3, 2023)

5. MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3, 2023)

6. MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)

7. MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro/Max, 2021)

8. MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1 Pro/Max, 2021)

9. MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)

10. MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

11. MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)

12. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019)

13. MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)

14. MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)

15. MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)

16. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018)

17. MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)

18. MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)

19. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017)

20. MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)

21. MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)

22. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016)

23. MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2016)

24. MacBook Air (13-inch, 2015)

25. MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, 2015)

26. MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, 2015)

27. MacBook Air (11-inch, 2015)

28. MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, 2014)

29. MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, 2014)

30. MacBook Air (11-inch, 2014)

31. MacBook Air (13-inch, 2014)

32. MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, 2013)

33. MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, 2013)

34. MacBook Air (11-inch, 2013)

35. MacBook Air (13-inch, 2013)

36. MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2012)

37. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2012)

38. MacBook Air (11-inch, 2012)

39. MacBook Air (13-inch, 2012)

40. MacBook Pro (17-inch, 2011)

iMac Models Supported:
All iMac models from G3 to current M-series including iMac Pro

Complete macOS & File System Support

All macOS & Mac OS X Versions:

• Current: Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey

• Modern: Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra

• Legacy: Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks

• Classic: Mountain Lion, Lion, Snow Leopard, Leopard

• Historical: Tiger, Panther, Jaguar, Puma, Cheetah

• Mac OS Classic: OS 9, OS 8, System 7

File Systems:

• HFS, HFS+, HFSX, APFS (Encrypted/Unencrypted)

• Fusion Drive configurations

• Core Storage logical volumes

• Boot Camp partitions (NTFS, FAT32)

Apple Storage Interface Expertise

• Apple Proprietary: Blade SSDs (A1369, A1465, A1466, A1706, A1707, A1989)

• NVMe Apple: Custom PCIe implementations

• SATA: 2.5″ and 3.5″ configurations

• PATA/IDE: Legacy iMac and older MacBooks

• Fusion Drives: HDD+SSD hybrid configurations

• T2/M-series Security: Hardware-encrypted storage

Top 25 Apple Mac Recovery Scenarios: Technical Processes

1. T2/M-series Security Chip Encrypted SSD Failure

• Summary: The T2 or M-series security chip has failed or the SSD controller behind it has malfunctioned, rendering data inaccessible due to hardware encryption.

• Technical Recovery: We use specialized tools (Amsys T2/M1 JIG) to place the logic board into Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode, allowing firmware restoration on the security chip. Critical data recovery requires repairing the original logic board to functional state, as the AES-256 encryption keys are cryptographically tied to the specific security chip’s UID. Chip-off recovery yields permanently encrypted data that cannot be decrypted without the original, functioning security chip.

2. Apple Proprietary Blade SSD Controller Failure

• Summary: The SSD controller on Apple’s blade-style SSD has failed, preventing data access.

• Technical Recovery: We source an identical donor SSD blade and perform NAND transplantation using hot-air rework stations with precise temperature profiling (soak 150°C, peak 245°C). The original NAND packages are transferred to the donor board, and the controller rebuilds the translation layer. We immediately image the drive to preserve data integrity.

3. Fusion Drive Logical Volume Group Corruption

• Summary: The logical volume group binding the SSD and HDD in Fusion Drive configurations becomes corrupted or “split.”

• Technical Recovery: We image both the SSD and HDD components separately. Using advanced recovery software, we analyze the Core Storage Logical Volume Group metadata. We manually reconstruct the LVG by identifying stripe size (typically 128KB-1MB) and block mapping, virtually reassembling the two drives into a single logical volume while ensuring files cached on the SSD are correctly merged with HDD data.

4. APFS Container Corruption with Encryption

• Summary: The APFS container’s metadata, including the space manager or object map, is severely corrupted.

• Technical Recovery: We image the drive and use hex editors with APFS-specific tools to manually repair the container. We locate backup superblocks and the Checkpoint Descriptor Area to roll the file system back to a previous consistent state. For encrypted volumes, we work with the crypto state tree to reconstruct decryption parameters.

5. HFS+ Journal Corruption & Catalog File Damage

• Summary: The HFS+ journal is corrupted, and the primary Catalog File storing all file metadata is damaged.

• Technical Recovery: We image the drive and disable journaling on the image. Using tools like DiskWarrior, we repair the Catalog B-Tree using folder hierarchy data from the Extents File. For severe damage, we perform raw carving, searching for HFS+ file and folder threads to manually reconstruct the directory tree.

6. Liquid Damage to Logic Board Storage Circuits

• Summary: Liquid spill has corroded the power delivery circuits supplying the SSD, preventing operation.

• Technical Recovery: Under microscope, we trace PP3V3_S0SSD and PP1V8_S0SSD power rails from the SSD connector. We identify and replace corroded capacitors, resistors, and MOSFETs using schematics. We use DC power supply to inject voltage and check for shorts before full power application.

7. SMC Failure Affecting Storage Operation

• Summary: The System Management Controller has failed, preventing correct power distribution to storage components.

• Technical Recovery: We perform SMC reset and diagnose power rails using boardview files. If reset fails, we reflow or replace the SMC chip using BGA rework station with precise temperature profiling to avoid damaging surrounding components.

8. Apple SSD Wear-Out on Soldered Storage

• Summary: Soldered SSD NAND on M-series Macs has reached end of life, leading to read errors.

• Technical Recovery: We perform board-level chip-off recovery by desoldering NAND packages. Each package is read individually, but data remains encrypted by the Secure Enclave. Recovery requires repairing the main logic board to a state where the Secure Enclave can decrypt data during reading.

9. Backlight Failure Misdiagnosed as Storage Failure

• Summary: Mac appears dead (black screen) but is actually running, often misdiagnosed as storage failure.

• Technical Recovery: We connect external monitor to test for display output. If confirmed, we diagnose backlight circuit, checking backlight fuse (F7000 on many boards), LCD connector, and backlight IC. Repairing this circuit restores visibility and data accessibility.

10. Failed macOS Update/Upgrade Corruption

• Summary: macOS update failed mid-process, corrupting the system but often leaving user data intact.

• Technical Recovery: We boot from external drive or access internal drive via Target Disk Mode. We navigate to /Users/ directory to copy user data directly. If file system is corrupted, we proceed with logical recovery using APFS or HFS+ repair techniques.

11. 2.5″ iMac HDD Head Stack Assembly Failure

• Summary: The 3.5″ desktop HDD inside iMac has suffered head crash, often from movement while operating.

• Technical Recovery: We disassemble iMac to extract drive. In cleanroom, we replace damaged HSA with compatible donor. We use hardware imagers to clone the drive, adjusting read parameters for media degradation.

12. iMac HDD Thermal Sensor Cable Damage

• Summary: Tiny thermal sensor cable specific to iMac HDDs is damaged during DIY repair, causing fan issues.

• Technical Recovery: We replace damaged thermal sensor cable or modify standard SATA drive by soldering correct value resistor (typically 2.2kΩ) between sensor pins to emulate the sensor.

13. Accidental Secure Erase in Disk Utility

• Summary: Drive erased using “Most Secure” option in Disk Utility, writing multiple passes of random data.

• Technical Recovery: Data recovery is almost always impossible after successful secure erase. We can only attempt recovery if erase process was interrupted, leaving portions of original data intact.

14. FileVault 2 Pre-Boot Corruption

• Summary: FileVault 2 encrypted volume’s pre-boot environment is corrupted, preventing password entry.

• Technical Recovery: We attempt to repair volume using FileVaultKey stored in EFI partition or Recovery Key. If drive is physically healthy, we boot from another Mac and use diskutil command-line tool with recovery key to unlock volume.

15. SSD Trim Command Data Wipe

• Summary: macOS has sent TRIM commands to SSD, instructing physical erasure of NAND cells.

• Technical Recovery: Once TRIM’d blocks are erased by SSD garbage collection, data is physically gone. We can only attempt recovery if TRIM hasn’t been processed, requiring immediate power-down.

16. Logic Board RAM Failure Causing Corruption

• Summary: Faulty soldered RAM causes kernel panics and file system corruption during write operations.

• Technical Recovery: We diagnose using Apple Diagnostics and kernel panic logs. On models with soldered RAM, this requires logic board-level repair. Data recovery involves removing SSD and accessing via compatible adapter.

17. USB-C Power Delivery IC Failure

• Summary: CD3215/CD3217 power delivery chips have failed, preventing MacBook from charging/powering.

• Technical Recovery: We use schematics and boardviews to diagnose faulty IC. We use BGA rework station to remove damaged chip and solder new, pre-programmed chip.

18. Display Cable Failure (2016-2017 MacBook Pro)

• Summary: Faulty flex cable for Touch Bar and primary display fails, causing black screen.

• Technical Recovery: We replace faulty flex cable (821-00898-A) with revised version. Once replaced, MacBook functions normally and data is accessible.

19. Time Machine Backup Corruption

• Summary: Time Machine sparse bundle is corrupted, making backups inaccessible.

• Technical Recovery: We use DiskWarrior or Data Rescue to repair sparse bundle’s internal band files. We manually mount sparse bundle using hdiutil command with nomount flag and use fsck_hfs for internal HFS+ repair.

20. Firmware Password Lock

• Summary: Firmware password is enabled and forgotten, preventing booting from other devices.

• Technical Recovery: For Intel Macs, we use Apple-authorized hardware tools to reset firmware password by temporarily removing RAM and reprogramming SPI flash. For T2/M-series Macs, this requires proof of purchase for Apple reset.

21. iMac Stand Failure Preventing Access

• Summary: iMac’s stand is broken, making safe disassembly difficult.

• Technical Recovery: We use professional iMac repair fixtures and suction handles to safely remove display glass and panel without relying on stand, allowing internal drive access.

22. SSD Firmware Bug (“SSD is Damaged” Alert)

• Summary: Bug in SSD firmware causes Mac to report drive as damaged.

• Technical Recovery: We use PC-3000 SSD with Apple adapters to put SSD into technological mode. We update or re-flash firmware with patched version resolving the bug.

23. Damaged LCD Causing Short Circuit

• Summary: Cracked/faulty LCD panel causes short on logic board, preventing power-on.

• Technical Recovery: We disconnect LCD assembly from logic board and test logic board alone. If it powers on, we access data via Target Disk Mode or by removing SSD.

24. Legacy PowerPC Mac HDD Failure

• Summary: ATA/IDE drive in G4/G5 Mac has failed mechanically or developed bad sectors.

• Technical Recovery: We use standard HDD recovery processes. Challenge involves older HFS file system and ensuring modern hardware can interface with legacy PATA/IDE connections.

25. Complex Multi-Drive Mac Pro Configurations

• Summary: Multiple drive failures in Mac Pro with complex RAID or JBOD configurations.

• Technical Recovery: We image all drives and perform RAID reconstruction. For Mac Pro specific configurations, we account for Apple’s unique implementations of software RAID and drive spanning.

Advanced Technical Capabilities

Apple-Specific Expertise:

• T2/M-series security chip integration and data access

• Apple proprietary blade SSD controller management

• Fusion Drive logical volume reconstruction

• APFS container and encryption recovery

Physical Recovery Specialization:

• Micro-soldering for Apple-specific components

• Board-level logic board repair

• Proprietary interface and connector expertise

• Cleanroom procedures for all Apple form factors

Logical Recovery Excellence:

• APFS and HFS+ file system expertise

• FileVault 2 encryption recovery

• Time Machine backup reconstruction

• Core Storage volume management

Why Choose Swindon Data Recovery for Apple Mac?

• 25 Years of Apple Expertise: Recovery from every generation from PowerPC to M-series

• UK’s Largest Apple Donor Inventory: Comprehensive stock of Apple proprietary components

• T2/M-series Security Chip Tools: Specialized equipment for Apple’s secure storage

• Proprietary Software Solutions: Custom tools for Apple-specific file systems

• Free Comprehensive Diagnostics: Detailed technical assessment with transparent pricing

• 48-Hour Critical Service: Emergency recovery for time-sensitive situations

Contact Swindon Data Recovery today for a free, confidential evaluation of your MacBook or iMac. Experience the difference that 25 years of Apple-specific technical excellence makes in recovering your critical data.