MacBook data recovery: white, unibody and 12-inch

The plain MacBook, in its white polycarbonate, aluminium and 12-inch Retina forms.

Ask about data recovery Call 020 7237 6805

What decides whether the data can be reached

The white MacBook was the student laptop of its day, and many hold years of photos and coursework on the original hard drive. That drive is a standard 2.5-inch SATA unit behind a simple cover, and it is recovered like any laptop drive.

The 12-inch MacBook of 2015 to 2017 is a very different machine. Its storage is soldered to a tiny logic board, and recovery means working through that board.

Models, years and storage

Model	Years	Model number	Storage	How data is recovered
MacBook, white polycarbonate	2006 to 2009	A1181	2.5-inch SATA drive	The drive is removed and copied directly. The Mac does not need to work.
MacBook, aluminium unibody	2008	A1278	2.5-inch SATA drive	The drive is removed and copied directly. The Mac does not need to work.
MacBook, white unibody	2009 to 2010	A1342	2.5-inch SATA drive	The drive is removed and copied directly. The Mac does not need to work.
MacBook 12-inch Retina	2015 to 2017	A1534	Soldered	Storage is soldered. Data is read through the logic board, which is repaired first if it has failed.

Older Macs use the HFS+ file system, which Windows cannot read. A drive that looks empty or asks to be formatted when connected to a PC is usually fine. Do not format it.

What to do now

Do not keep trying to start it. Each attempt can make a failing drive or a damaged board worse.
Have your Mac login password ready, and your FileVault recovery key if you turned FileVault on.
Find the model number: "Model A" followed by four digits, printed on the underside or the foot of the stand.
Tell us whether there is a Time Machine or iCloud backup, even an old one.

Recovery starts with a professional evaluation, charged at £94.80. It tells you what has failed and what can be recovered, and you then receive a fixed price for the recovery itself.

We collect drives and devices by insured courier from anywhere in the UK, or you can post yours tracked and insured, or bring it to the workshop in London SE1. See how to send a drive safely.

Common questions

My old white MacBook has not been switched on for ten years. Is the data still there?

Almost certainly. Hard drives keep data for a long time when stored. The drive may need work to start after sitting unused, so do not force it.

Is the 12-inch MacBook encrypted like newer models?

It has no T2 chip. The data is read through the logic board, which is repaired first if needed. If FileVault was on, the password is required.

Get a price from a technician

Tell us the make, the model and what has gone wrong. A technician replies with a price and the quickest way to get your laptop to us – normally the same working day.

020 7237 6805

Creative IT workshop
Unit 1, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY
Monday to Saturday, 9am–6pm