Disk Drill has become one of the most popular data recovery programs, trusted by millions of users to restore lost files on Windows and Mac.
However, since data security is a primary concern for most people, a question arises: Is Disk Drill a safe option? With the increase in cyber threats, it is important to assess the security capabilities of any recovery tool.
In this article, we will discuss the security characteristics of Disk Drill in detail, enabling you to understand its capabilities and safeguards in the context of the critical debate on data recovery.
What is Disk Drill for Mac?
Disk Drill for Mac is an all-inclusive data recovery program that helps users recover lost, deleted, or corrupted data.
It provides a simple-to-use system to recover documents, photos, videos, and even entire partitions. This includes data inadvertently deleted, data lost through formatting, or data affected by a system crash.
Created by CleverFiles, Disk Drill can work with any file system that runs on Mac, including HFS+, APFS, and others.



It aims to make data recovery easy for both ordinary and professional Mac users who have accidentally lost their data.
Key features of Disk Drill on Mac
Disk Drill for Mac is a data recovery tool that boasts a comprehensive set of features, making it a unique solution.
The following is a closer examination of its main functionalities.
Data recovery capabilities
Disk Drill can restore any file or folder. It can rebuild over 400 file types using various reconstruction techniques, making it one of the most powerful recovery applications.
The software offers recovery options, including Quick Scan, for recently deleted files. Additionally, use Deep Scan for a more comprehensive search on damaged or formatted drives.
Additionally, the software supports recovery for iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices. This means that even non-Mac users can also restore their mobile devices using the app.
This cross-platform capability makes Disk Drill a comprehensive solution for users who require data recovery across multiple devices.
User-friendly interface
Another impressive aspect of Disk Drill is that it is very user-friendly.
Its intuitive interface ensures that any user, even with little technical expertise, can take advantage of complex data recovery processes.
The interface provides distinct navigation steps for recovery, along with visual representations of scan progress indicators and recovery options.
The software also offers file preview options, allowing users to view files before committing to the recovery process.
This ensures that users are restoring the correct files, as they can verify file integrity before restoration.
Compatibility with various file systems
Disk Drill supports any known file system, including APFS, HFS+, FAT32, NTFS, EXT3, EXT4, and even ExFAT.
Such broad file system support makes Disk Drill especially useful to users working with external drives that use different file systems.
The fact that the software can handle disk images can also be beneficial in forensic recovery situations. Or where the drive in question is possibly damaged.
Advanced data protection features
In addition to its recovery functions, Disk Drill offers a range of supplementary features that enhance data management.
- S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring. This capability monitors the status of the attached drives. It then warns the user of the possible hardware IO problems before data loss happens.
- Byte-to-Byte Backups. Failing drives can be converted into disk images to ensure recovery can be achieved without further damaging the original device.
- 3Duplicate File Finder. This utility detects and deletes duplicate files, thereby freeing up storage space.
- Data Shredder. To ensure safe data destruction, Disk Drill can permanently delete files, ensuring that they can no longer be accessed.
- macOS-Specific Tools. Such functions as iOS data recovery are tailored to Mac users, providing them with special functionality
Such proactive capabilities make Disk Drill stand out from other simple recovery programs by guarding against data loss.
Advanced hardware compatibility
Disk Drill has been optimized to work on both older Intel-based Macs and the latest Macs with M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips.
It is therefore capable of recovering lost data from any compatible storage device.
This capability helps ensure that Disk Drill remains relevant and productive, even in the evolving Apple hardware environment.
How to use Disk Drill for data recovery on Mac
The following is a step-by-step procedure on how to use Disk Drill to recover data on a Mac.
Step 1. Install Disk Drill by downloading it from the official site.
Step 2. Unzip the .dmg file that you have downloaded and drag the Disk Drill application to your Applications folder.
Step 3. Open Disk Drill in the Applications.
Step 4. If macOS warns you, confirm the app’s launch. Click the ‘Install now’ button to unpack the necessary background services.
Step 5. Enter the administrator password of your Mac when prompted to grant Disk Drill low-level access to your drives.
Step 6. In the System Preferences, enable the Full Disk Access of Disk Drill and its helper daemon.
Step 7. If you are using macOS 15 or higher, also grant Local Network Access when prompted.
Lost file scanning
Step 1. Connect all the external drives you desire to scan.
Step 2. Launch Disk Drill and choose the disk or partition where you have lost the data.
Step 3. Press the button named “Search lost data” or “Search lost files” to scan. Disk Drill will run a quick scan and then a deep scan, offering a variety of recovery options.



Step 4. You can track the progress, pause, or stop the scan when necessary.



File previewing and recovery
Step 1. During the scan, Disk Drill displays the files that can be recovered, organized by type and folder.
Step 2. Use the preview option to check what is in before recovery, so that you can only recover what you want.
Step 3. Choose the files or the folders you would like to recover.



Step 4. Click on Recover. You can then select an alternate storage device other than the original drive to prevent overwriting the lost data.
Step 5. Finish up the recovery by storing your files securely in the new location.
These instructions will enable you to recover files that you have lost or deleted on your Mac using Disk Drill. At the same time, ensuring the safety of the data is also crucial.
Why not use a parental control app to protect your child’s digital safety?
Is Disk Drill safe to use?
Disk Drill is considered one of the most secure and stable data recovery programs available to Mac users.
It has been tested and confirmed to be malware, ransomware, and any malicious elements. It offers a safe installation and functioning environment.
Disk Drill uses read-only mode when scanning and retrieving data. This makes the recovery process non-destructive, thereby retaining data integrity throughout the process.
The program is also privacy-friendly, collecting as little personal information as possible and using the information to benefit the program.
User testimonials tend to commend the strength of Disk Drill in recovering all types of files with high success rates.
People praise its interface for being user-friendly, which makes the recovery process simple, even for less technical users.
All in all, its reputation, developer trust, and the overall positive user experience prove that Disk Drill is a reliable and safe software to recover data on Mac.
Bonus: How to recover the data deleted from your kid’s phone
It is not rare for children to delete messages, photos, or app history on their phones. This would either be to conceal something inappropriate or just to escape parental attention.
This may result in parents finding it hard to determine what their children are really exposed to on the internet.
Although recovery tools such as Disk Drill may be used to recover deleted files, prevention, and real-time monitoring are also essential.
This is where parental control tools such as FlashGet Kids come in.



The app aims to provide parents with a general overview of their children’s activity on their mobile phones, addressing the issue of children erasing data to cover their tracks.
FlashGet Kids offers essential tools to help parents manage their children’s digital world, rather than relying on reactive data recovery.
Screen mirroring
This option enables parents to monitor their child’s phone screen in real-time, providing a live feed of what the child is doing.
This is extremely helpful in checking whether they are using inappropriate apps or viewing inappropriate content. This is even when they might delete the messages later.
It provides real-time visual verification of their actions.
Alerts
FlashGet Kids can be programmed to instantly alert parents to any activity before the child deletes any records of activity. These may consist of.
- Keyword Alerts. Warning parents when they type or search on certain keywords (e.g., on drugs, violence, or explicit material).
- Geo-fencing Alerts. Alerts are sent when a child moves in or out of predetermined safe and dangerous geographical areas.
- App Usage Alerts. Informing parents about the installation of new apps or the opening of some restricted apps.
- Suspicious Activity Alerts. Warning of any abnormal phone usage behaviour that may be an indication of a problem.
These warnings are instantaneous, enabling parents to take action promptly.
Snapshot
The Snapshot feature captures screenshots of the child’s phone screen in real-time, automatically recording their activity.
Even when a child deletes the evidence, snapshots can provide visual proof of what they are doing. It could be watching the wrong videos or talking to strangers.
In contrast to recovery, snapshots provide proactive surveillance before deletion occurs.
Usage reports
Parents get comprehensive reports of their child’s activities, even if the child deletes any evidence.
The Usage Reports help parents identify trends. This could include excessive use of social media apps, which may expose children to the risk of data loss.
It enables parents to establish limits before data deletion, serving as a supplement to Disk Drill’s data retrieval capabilities.
FAQs about Disk Drill Mac
The activation code in Disk Drill can be obtained after buying the Pro or Enterprise version of the program on CleverFiles’ website. Once payment is made, the activation code is sent by email immediately.
Yes, the unlock code for Disk Drill Pro is provided when you purchase the Pro license legally through CleverFiles. It is not advisable to use unlicensed cracks or keygens due to security and legal risks.
The free Disk Drill version is used to scan and preview the recoverable files with a 500MB recovery limit. The Paid Pro version eliminates this restriction, allowing for the recovery of an unlimited number of files, an advanced scan mechanism, and priority updates.
Conclusion
Disk Drill is a secure and trusted data recovery tool that supports both Mac and Windows operating systems.
Equipped with features such as read-only scanning, data protection tools, and support for multiple file systems, it ensures a safe and private recovery process.
Users consistently praise its effectiveness and ease of use, while its creator, CleverFiles, enjoys a good reputation, solidifying its position as a secure tool for data recovery.