How to Recover Lost Files on Mac after macOS 12 Monterey Update?

Similar to any other macOS Update, macOS Monterey comes with a bunch of great features such as; A refined user interface including reworked...

Similar to any other macOS Update, macOS Monterey comes with a bunch of great features such as;

A refined user interface including reworked Menus, Icons, Notification Center, Control Center, Finder, Widgets, etc.

Built-in software updates including Notes, Safari, Music, Messages, Calendar, Mail, and Podcast, etc.

Data loss is an accidental occurrence that can happen to anyone at any time. It is therefore advisable that data be backed up all the time to be on the safe side with your data recovery. Similarly, before upgrading to macOS Monterey, make a backup of your Mac.

Backing up your Mac before performing any updates will guard your data against unexpected loss of data. But that should not be a big deal because you will still be able to recover even the lost files using Mac data recovery software or the other methods discussed in this article.

How to Recover Lost Files on Mac after macOS 12 Monterey Update?

To recover lost data after upgrading to macOS Monterey, follow the steps discussed below. 

Method 1: Check Other Folders

A similar scenario had occurred during the macOS Big Sur update. Apple Developer mentioned in macOS 10.15 release notes that files on the root of the volume appeared in Macintosh HD. The files and folders that had been stored at the root level of the volume were therefore relocated to /library/SystemMigration/History/Migration-UUID/QuarantineRoot/ when Mac upgraded to macOS Big Sur.

If you lose data after the update to macOS Monterey, therefore, go to that folder to find out if your files and folders have been relocated there.

Method 2: Restore Lost Data from Time Machine Backup

The Time Machine app makes it easy to restore files or even the entire Mac. However, this will only work if you have Time Machine backups. 

1. To restore specific files/folders from your time machine backup

If you specifically target to restore key files and folders from a Time Machine backup, follow the steps below. 

Step 1: Open Launchpad on the Mac machine and click “Other.”

Step 2: Find the Time Machine icon and click it to enter. Note that you can also open the Time Machine by clicking the Time Machine icon available in the menu and selecting “Enter Time Machine.” If you can’t find the Time Machine in the menu, go to Apple Menu and choose “System Preferences”, click “Time Machine” and check out the box next to 

Step 3: Browse the backups using the arrows at the bottom and timeline on the left.

Step 4: Select the files and folders you intend to restore and click “Store.”

2. Restore your mac from a time machine backup

If your Mac crashes after you upgrade to Monterey, you can use the Time Machine backup to restore your files and folders. Follow the steps below to complete the restore process: 

Step 1: Restart the Mac. While the machine restarts, hold down the “Command + R” keys simultaneously. This will allow your Mac to reboot in Recovery mode and you should see the macOS utility window. If you don’t get to the recovery mode, please repeat the process. 

Step 2: On the macOS Utilities, select “Restore from Time Machine Backup” and click “Continue.”

Step 3: Read the info on the “Restore Your System” page and click “Continue.” 

Step 4: Select the disk with the Time Machine backup and click “Continue.”

Step 5: When a list of backups appears in the form of an APFS snapshot, select and choose the most recent backup and click “Continue” to restore your Mac.

Step 6: Restart the machine once the backup process is complete. 

Method 3: Recover Lost Files from iCloud Backup

This method will help you recover files or folders from your Mac machine if the Time Machine Restore fails. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Log in to iCloud from any web browser. 

Step 2: Click on the “Setting” icon and scroll down to the bottom of the page that appears. 

Step 3: At the bottom left, go to “Advanced” and click on “Restore Files.” If you need to restore bookmarks, contacts, calendars, and reminders, click the corresponding option under “Advanced.”

Step 4: Check off the boxes appearing on the left of the files that you intend to restore. You can also “Select All” if you need to restore everything in the preview. Click “Restore” to recover them to the iCloud Drive. 

If all the methods fail, you can still use Disk Drill by CleverFiles to recover deleted files on Mac.