To recover recently deleted passwords on a Mac, you can try the following steps:
- Check Password Manager: If you’ve been using a password manager like iCloud Keychain, 1Password, or LastPass, check if the deleted passwords are stored there. These tools often have a feature to recover deleted items.
- Time Machine Backup: If you have Time Machine set up to backup your Mac regularly, you can restore your Keychain from a backup. Here’s how:
- Open the “Time Machine” application from the Applications folder or search for it using Spotlight.
- Navigate to the time when you know the passwords were still available.
- Locate the folder “~/Library/Keychains” and restore the most recent version of your “login.keychain” file.
- Replace the existing keychain file with the restored one.
- Check Trash: Sometimes, when you delete items, they may be moved to the Trash. Open the Trash by clicking on its icon in the Dock and check if your passwords or Keychain items are there. If you find them, you can restore them by dragging them out of the Trash and dropping them onto your desktop or into the desired location.
- Data Recovery Software: If you’ve emptied the Trash or can’t find your passwords through other means, you can try using data recovery software like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. These tools can scan your hard drive for deleted files and attempt to recover them.
- Contact Support: If none of the above methods work, consider contacting Apple Support or the support team of the password manager you use. They may have additional suggestions or tools to help you recover your deleted passwords.
Remember to regularly back up your important data to prevent loss in the future.
