Yes — most Mac data loss is recoverable, from dead MacBooks and failed iMac drives to Fusion and APFS volumes. Newer Macs (T2 and Apple Silicon) encrypt storage by default, so those recoveries generally need your macOS password or FileVault key — with it, we recover the failed hardware and decrypt; without it, strong encryption usually can't be bypassed. We'll tell you honestly at the free diagnosis.
Mac recovery takes Apple-specific expertise — and honesty.
Apple's storage has evolved through several very different systems — removable SATA drives, Fusion Drives, the T2 security chip, and now fully soldered Apple Silicon NAND. Each requires a different recovery approach, and generic tools frequently fail on Macs. Worse, some providers over-promise on encrypted recovery.
CBL has recovered data from every Mac generation — including board-level and NAND work on soldered storage. Just as importantly, we give you a straight answer about what's possible for your specific model, rather than taking a Mac we can't help.
Power it off and don't try to charge or boot it. On soldered Macs the storage is on the logic board — liquid and short circuits threaten the data itself. Book a free diagnosis.
What kind of Mac storage do you have?
Select your Mac type for how recoverable it is — and whether a password is needed.
Intel Mac with a standard drive — high recoverability
Older MacBooks, iMacs and Mac minis with a removable SATA/PCIe SSD or HDD. We recover these with standard cleanroom and imaging methods, reconstructing the APFS or HFS+ filesystem. If FileVault was on, we'll need your password.
Fusion Drive — SSD + HDD paired — high recoverability
Fusion pairs a small SSD with a larger HDD as one logical volume. When one half fails, the volume becomes inaccessible. We recover both devices and rebuild the Fusion/APFS logical structure to extract your data.
T2 Mac (2018–2020 Intel) — encrypted by default
The T2 chip encrypts the SSD automatically, even if you never enabled FileVault. If the Mac's hardware failed but you have your login password, we can often recover and decrypt. Without the password, the encryption generally can't be bypassed — we'll be honest about this.
Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) — soldered & encrypted
Storage is soldered to the logic board and encrypted by the Secure Enclave. We perform board-level and NAND-level work to access the storage, but decryption requires your macOS password. Feasibility is assessed individually at diagnosis.
The encryption truth (why we're honest about newer Macs)
If a company promises to recover any T2 or Apple Silicon Mac without your password, be cautious. What we can reliably help with:
- Any Intel Mac with a removable drive (unencrypted) — standard recovery
- Fusion Drives — split reconstruction of the SSD + HDD
- T2 / Apple Silicon Macs where you have the login password / FileVault key — recover then decrypt
- Liquid- or drop-damaged Macs — board-level work to reach the storage
Where odds drop sharply: a T2 or Apple Silicon Mac whose password is genuinely lost. Related: encrypted drive recovery.
Common Mac data-loss scenarios
Our Mac recovery process
Free diagnosis
We identify the Mac model, storage type and fault, and tell you the realistic odds — including any password requirement. No cost.
Hardware access
For removable drives we image directly; for T2/Apple Silicon we perform board-level or NAND-level access to reach the storage.
Decrypt (if applicable)
Where storage is encrypted, we apply your macOS password / FileVault key to decrypt the recovered image.
Reconstruct APFS / Fusion & extract
We rebuild the APFS container or Fusion logical volume and extract your files, then provide a list to verify.
Verify & return
Verified data returned on fresh media.
More on the lab: how professional data recovery works →
What we can recover — by Mac type
| Mac type | Requirement | Typical outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Mac, removable drive (unencrypted) | None | High |
| Fusion Drive | None | High |
| FileVault / T2, password known | Login password | High |
| Apple Silicon, password known | Login password + board work | Case-by-case |
| T2 / Apple Silicon, password lost | — | Generally not possible |
We also recover MacBook SSDs generally — see SSD recovery — and external Mac drives via external drive recovery.
How much does Mac recovery cost?
Cost depends on the model and method — soldered/board-level work is more involved than a removable drive.
| Case type | Examples | Indicative range (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Removable drive / logical | Older MacBook/iMac, APFS corruption, Fusion | $250 – $900 |
| T2 / encrypted (password known) | 2018–2020 MacBook, FileVault | $400 – $1,800 |
| Apple Silicon / board-level | M1/M2/M3, liquid/drop damage | $400 – $1,800 |
Exact fixed price before work begins. Full detail: data recovery cost guide →
Mac recovery case studies
Representative examples from typical laboratory cases. Anonymised.
iMac Fusion Drive won't mount
An iMac's Fusion volume became inaccessible after the SSD half failed. We recovered both devices and rebuilt the Fusion/APFS structure to restore the client's design library.
✓ 100% recoveredT2 MacBook Pro, liquid damage
A coffee spill killed a 2019 MacBook Pro. The client had their password; we performed board-level access, imaged the T2 SSD and decrypted it.
✓ Full recoveryM1 MacBook Air, dead board
An M1 Air stopped powering on with a dissertation inside. With the login password, we reached the soldered NAND at board level and recovered the files.
✓ Dissertation savedFree diagnosis & a fixed written quote
Free Diagnosis
Honest assessment of your Mac — no cost, no obligation.
Fixed Written Quote
A firm price before any work — you approve before we start.
Secure & Confidential
Your password and data handled securely, PDPA-aware.
Mac recovery FAQ
Can you recover data from a dead MacBook?+
Do you need my Mac password?+
Can you recover a soldered MacBook (M1/M2/M3) SSD?+
Can you bypass the T2 chip or FileVault without a password?+
What is a Fusion Drive and can you recover it?+
My MacBook had liquid damage — is it recoverable?+
How much does Mac data recovery cost?+
Is CBL cheaper than Apple for data recovery?+
If you cannot recover my Mac's data, is there a charge?+
A failed laptop put important files at risk. The team restored all of the data, with Sarah attentive to every question throughout — one of many happy Apple-product customers. — S YT ★★★★★ · More real case studies →
The bottom line
Mac recovery rewards Apple-specific expertise and honesty over false promises. CBL recovers every Mac generation — including soldered T2 and Apple Silicon at board level — and gives you a straight answer about what your password allows. With there's no risk in finding out.