It is conceivable that your MacBook will not turn on past the Apple logo each time. There are several potential causes of an unbootable Mac, including operating system problems, file system corruption, and malware infestations. However, a broken or damaged MacBook hard drive is most likely the root of the problem. In such cases, Apple recommends that users boot their MacBook into recovery mode and utilize the disk utility to restore the Mac OS.
While recovering a Mac from a backup may result in data loss and not everyone maintains a time machine backup for the purpose of recovering backed-up data, using these two options puts your data at risk and neither can guarantee success.
Here's a comprehensive guide on how to recover data from a MacBook that is stuck on the Apple logo:
1. Perform a Safe Boot:
- Press and hold the Shift key immediately after you hear the startup sound.
- Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo and progress bar.
- If your MacBook boots up successfully, you can access your data and perform a backup.
2. Boot into Recovery Mode:
- Restart your MacBook and hold down Command + R until the Apple logo appears.
- Release the keys when you see the macOS Utilities window.
- From here, you can use Disk Utility to repair disk errors and recover data from a Time Machine backup if available.
3. Use Target Disk Mode:
- Connect your MacBook to another Mac using a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable.
- Start your MacBook while holding down the T key until the Thunderbolt or FireWire icon appears on the screen.
- Your MacBook's hard drive should appear as an external drive on the other Mac. You can then copy your data over.
4. Boot from a macOS Installation Disk:
- If you have a macOS installation disk or a bootable USB drive, insert it into your MacBook.
- Restart your MacBook and hold down the Option key until the boot menu appears.
- Select the macOS installation disk or bootable USB drive.
- Once booted, you can use Disk Utility to repair disk errors and recover data.
5. Use Target Disk Mode with a Windows PC:
- If you have a Windows PC, you can still access your MacBook's data using Target Disk Mode.
- Connect your MacBook to the Windows PC using a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable.
- Start your MacBook in Target Disk Mode by holding down the T key while booting.
- Your MacBook's hard drive should appear as an external drive on the Windows PC. You can then copy your data over.
6. Boot from an External Drive:
- If you have a bootable external drive with macOS installed, connect it to your MacBook.
- Restart your MacBook and hold down the Option key until the boot menu appears.
- Select the external drive with macOS installed.
- Once booted, you can use Disk Utility to repair disk errors and recover data.
7. Use Data Recovery Software:
- If none of the above methods work, you can try using data recovery software such as Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery.
- Install the software on another Mac or Windows PC and connect your MacBook's hard drive as an external drive.
- Follow the software's instructions to scan the drive and recover your data.
8. Contact Apple Support:
- If you're unable to recover your data using the above methods, it may be a sign of a more serious hardware issue.
- Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance. They may be able to help you recover your data or repair your MacBook.
Tips for Data Recovery:
- Backup Regularly: Always back up your data to avoid data loss in case of unexpected issues like this.
- Stay Calm: Panicking can lead to mistakes. Stay calm and methodically try each recovery method.
- Use a Stable Environment: Ensure you're working in a stable environment with no power fluctuations to prevent further damage to your MacBook or data.
Tutorial on how to recover data from a dead MacBook.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qat1VbQPG68
By following these steps, you should be able to recover your data from a MacBook stuck on the Apple logo. If you encounter any difficulties, consider seeking professional assistance to ensure the safety of your data and your MacBook.