How to Restore Mac from Backup on External HDD

Depending on how you back up your data, there are several ways to do it. This article discusses many techniques for restoring a Mac from a backup, such as using an external drive, Time Machine, iCloud, or other backup and restore programs.

On Mac, Time Machine is the preferred backup method, although Time Machine may not always work as advertised, which might upset customers and lead to data loss. This post will walk you through restoring Mac from backup on external hard drive while ensuring you do not lose any crucial data.

Restore Mac from Time Machine Backup on External Hard Drive

Here's a step-by-step guide to restoring your Mac from a Time Machine backup stored on an external hard drive, including key visuals for clarity:

Step 1. Boot into macOS Recovery Mode.

Step 2. Enter Disk Utility.

From the macOS Utilities window, select "Disk Utility".

Choose the external drive in the sidebar and click "First Aid" to check for errors.

Step 3. Start Time Machine Restore

Select "Restore from Time Machine Backup" in the macOS Utilities window and click "Continue".

Step 4. Choose a Backup Date

Select the backup date from the timeline you want to restore and Click "Restore".

Step 5. Select the Destination Drive

• Choose your Mac's internal drive or another external hard disk as the restore destination.
• Wait for the restore process to complete. This may take several hours, depending on backup size.

Step 6. Restart Your Mac

• Once the restore finishes, your Mac will restart automatically.
• Log in with your user account credentials (use the password from the backup period).

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Restore Mac from External Hard Drive Without Time Machine Backup

If a Time Machine backup is accidentally deleted or the Time Machine couldn't back up to external hard drive, it can be stressful. However, there's no need to panic - we've got a highly effective solution to help you recover from this scenario.

A more straightforward and unrestricted method to recover deleted files on a Mac without relying on a Time Machine is using data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. Unlike Time Machine, which requires prior synchronization of deleted files for restoration, this approach offers a more flexible solution.

With EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, you can effortlessly and securely retrieve deleted files. This software enables seamless recovery of iCloud data, including Notes and Contacts, ensuring you can quickly restore lost information.

Step 1. Search for lost files

Correctly connect your external hard drive to your Mac. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, and select the external hard drive. Then, click "Search for lost files" to find lost/deleted files on your external devices.

Step 2. Filter and find lost files

After the scan, all file types will be presented in the left panel. Select the file type to find wanted files on your external devices.

Step 3. Preview and recover

Click the file and preview it. Then, select the files you want to recover and click the "Recover" button. You can save your data to local and cloud drives.

Fix Can't Connect to Current Time Machine Backup Disk

Verifying whether your Time Machine backup disk is compatible with your Mac is crucial. Typically, Time Machine supports external hard drives that are formatted using the macOS Extended (Journaled) file system.

If the disk is formatted with a different file system, such as FAT32 or exFAT, Time Machine may not identify it as a valid backup disk.

You can recover data from a formatted hard disk on Mac if you don't replace the old data with new ones with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

To Sum Up

To prevent data loss for whatever cause, use Time Machien's automatic backup feature on your Mac. Don't panic if you haven't backed up your deleted files. You may recover lost entirely files using the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac in just three easy steps!

How to Restore Mac from Backup on External Hard Drive FAQs

Here are 3 additional questions about restoring Mac from backup on an external hard drive. Check here for the answers.

1. How do I restore my Mac from an external backup?

Step 1. Download, install, and launch the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

Step 2. Connect the external drive to your computer.

Step 3. Select the external drive from the disk list.

Step 4. Click the "Scan" button. Preview the files that can be restored. Click the "Recover" button to recover deleted files from an external hard drive on a Mac. 

2. How to back up a Mac on an external hard drive?

Time Machine can support Your entire Mac to an external hard disk. The external hard drive must first be connected to your Mac and formatted. Next, choose the external hard drive as the backup device by opening the Time Machine options. At last, select "Back Up Now" to initiate the backup procedure.

3. How do I reinstall macOS from an external hard drive?

The Disk Utility can be installed on an external device. You must select the startup disk each time your Mac boots up, though, to make sure you can boot from it. You must hold down the Option key to choose between booting from the internal or external drives.