Losing important files can be a real headache—I’ve been there myself. Whether it’s a system crash, an accidental delete, or a virus messing with your data, FonePaw Data Recovery promises to make things right. It claims to recover everything from photos and videos to documents and beyond. But is it the best data recovery tool for Mac? Let’s find out.
FonePaw Data Recovery: Quick Overview
Feature | Summary |
⚡️ Recovery Speed | Fast |
💻 Platforms | Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone |
⏳ Free Trial | Yes |
💰 Pricing | Starting at $39.87 |
📞 Support | 24/7 customer support Email or live chat |
⚙️ System Requirements | macOS 10.7 to macOS 10.15 |
FonePaw Data Recovery Review: Key Features
FonePaw provides many features that simplify finding, recovering, reviewing, and organizing lost files in a few steps. Let’s explore some of its key features.
1. Smart Data Scanning Modes

FonePaw offers two different scanning modes: Quick Scan and Deep Scan.
These smart scanning modes allow you to choose between a faster or more in-depth, albeit slower, scan, depending on your needs.
- Quick Scan: Ideal for recovering recently deleted files, this mode runs a fast scan of your selected drive, focusing on easily recoverable files. It’s perfect for retrieving data you accidentally deleted.
- Deep Scan: For files that have been lost for a longer time or are harder to recover, Deep Scan digs deeper into the drive’s file structures. While it takes longer, it has a higher success rate for finding elusive files.
Smart Data Scanning Modes Review
Smart Data Scanning Modes Review2. Preview Before Recovery Feature

FonePaw allows you to preview files before recovery, ensuring you restore the right data. This is particularly useful when you’re uncertain about the names of the files you wish to retrieve, as it spares you from sifting through thousands of restored files.
To use this feature, click a file and tap the magnifying glass icon under the image preview in the right sidebar. A window displaying a preview of the file will emerge. If the file is the one you’re looking for, you can proceed with the recovery by clicking the Recover button.
Preview Before Recovery Review
Preview Before Recovery Review3. Partial Recovery

With FonePaw, you can recover specific files instead of everything the software finds. This saves time and storage space, especially if you’re dealing with a large dataset.
To use Partial Recover, select one or more file types from the list at the top and click Scan. This will filter your search and show relevant results.
FonePaw Partial Recovery Review
FonePaw Partial Recovery Review4. User Interface and Ease of Use

FonePaw’s user interface is designed to be straightforward and intuitive. The software guides users through the recovery process with a clear menu and visual cues, making it easy even for those with limited technical skills to navigate and recover their data.
All options are clearly labeled and accessible, reducing the complexity typically associated with data recovery.
FonePaw User Interface Review
FonePaw User Interface Review5. Recovery Speed

FonePaw delivers quick recovery results, especially with Quick Scan. Deep Scan takes more time but offers comprehensive results, making it suitable for more complex recovery scenarios.
The speed of data recovery with FonePaw’s Quick Scan mode is commendable, making it a go-to choice for urgent recovery needs. If you’re not in a hurry, the Deep Scan can fulfill your data recovery needs, taking a bit longer than its Quick counterpart.
FonePaw Recovery Speed Review
FonePaw Recovery Speed Review6. Security
FonePaw prioritizes user privacy. According to its privacy policy, the tool doesn’t upload your files to their servers or manipulate your data beyond recovery purposes. This ensures a secure and worry-free experience.
FonePaw Security Review
FonePaw Security Review7. Customer Support

Need help? FonePaw provides 24/7 support via Email, live chat, and social media. There’s also a detailed FAQ section and tutorials to guide you through common issues. There are multiple avenues through which you can reach out to their support team, including the following:
- 📧 Email: You can send FonePaw support an Email detailing your queries or issues and expect a prompt response.
- 👍 Social Media: You can also connect with FonePaw’s support team on various social media platforms, which is a convenient way to stay updated and get quick help.
- 📞 Phone: If you prefer a more direct approach, you can give FonePaw support a call. Their support team is ready to help you troubleshoot problems, answer questions, or guide you through data recovery.
FonePaw Customer Support Review
FonePaw Customer Support Review8. Supported Storage Devices, Languages, File and Operating Systems
FonePaw supports the following storage devices, operating systems, file systems, and languages:
Supported Storage Devices | Supported Operating System | Supported File System | Supported Languages |
Computer/Laptop (with Recycle Bin) | Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP (32-bit or 64-bit) | NTFS | English |
SD/Memory Cards | Mac OS X 10.7 and above (macOS Big Sur and macOS Monterey) | exFAT | German |
USB Flash Drive/Memory Stick | Android 12/11/10/9/8.1/8/7/6/5 | APFS | French |
HDD/SSD/Hard Drive/Digital Camera Camcorder | iOS 16,15,14 and below | FAT16/FAT32 | Spanish |
Removable Drives | Japanese | ||
Traditional Chinese |
Supported Storage Devices, Languages, File and Operating Systems Review
Supported Storage Devices, Languages, File and Operating Systems ReviewHow to Recover Data on Mac Using FonePaw
Here’s how to recover lost files on Mac using FonePaw Data Recovery:
- Download the FonePaw Data Recovery software from the official FonePaw website.

- Once downloaded, locate the installer file, usually found in your Downloads folder. Double-click the installer file to start the installation process and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

- Launch the FonePaw Data Recovery software from your Applications folder or via Spotlight Search.

- You’ll get an interface asking you to Choose data type and location of lost data to scan. Here, you can select the image, audio, video, Email, document, and other files. You can also choose a drive to scan. If you’re unsure, selecting all file types is best to ensure you miss nothing.

- Next, choose the disk drive where you believe the lost data was located. This could be your main hard drive or an external device.

- Click the Scan button to start scanning for lost files in the chosen disk drive.

- You will get multiple prompts asking for access to different files and folders. Click Allow on all these prompts.

- You can choose between Quick Scan and Deep Scan. Quick Scan is faster but may not locate as many files. If Quick Scan doesn’t find your files, choose Deep Scan.

The Quick Scan only takes a few seconds to scan your Mac, while the Deep Scan takes longer. However, Deep Scan also delivers more comprehensive recovery results.
- After the scan, all found files will be displayed in categories. You can preview each file to ensure it’s the one you want. Select the files you want to recover and click Recover.

If you’re using the free version, you’ll be prompted to purchase a license to recover the files.
- You can choose a save location for the recovered files if you have purchased a license.
- Choose a different disk drive to save the recovered files to avoid overwriting other potentially recoverable data.
The sooner you use a data recovery tool after deleting a file, the better your chances of recovering it.
FonePaw Data Recovery: Pricing and Plans
FonePaw offers a free trial for scanning and previewing files, but you’ll need a license to recover them.
Here’s a breakdown of FonePaw Data Recovery pricing plans:
Platform | Monthly Price | Yearly Price | Single-User Price | No. of Devices |
macOS | $44.77 | $54.56 | $62.97 | 1 Mac |
iOS | $44.77 | $55.96 | $66.47 | 6 devices + 1 PC |
Windows | $39.87 | $48.96 | $55.97 | 1 PC |
Android | $34.96 | $45.46 | $55.97 | 6 devices + 1 PC |
User Experience: Reviews and Ratings
FonePaw Data Recovery has mixed reviews from users worldwide. While many users praise its easy-to-navigate interface, efficient recovery, and wide range of supported file types, some users have experienced slow or unresponsive customer service.
Here are some user reviews for FonePaw:
I lost some important notes on my iPhone 5s, after using FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery, I retrieve them successfully. What’s more, it also helps to scan out many deleted messages and photos from my iTunes backup files, Thank God!
I think it is an indispensable software for me, who is totally a careless girl.
Johonee, 5 out of 5 stars at Trustpilot
I am using two phones, one is iPhone 8, the other is Samsung Note 10, and always found it hard to keep things into sync between the 2 devices. Maybe it is because Apple and Android are nemeses, there are just not many options that allow me to share content from iPhone to Android or the other way around.
This FonePaw is just right for the problem. Now I drag my photos, videos from one phone to another easily. I think Apple and Android really should start an application like this and be more open to each other.
Sally00, 5 out of 5 stars at Trustpilot
While these users are clearly happy, the following seem frustrated with FonePaw’s customer service:
my partner purchased a one-month IOS data recover and requested for a cancellation of subscription as we never recover a single thing. Guess what, my card was charged again for $65 for something we requested to cancel before our one-month subscription expires! Worst is no one has responded to our ticket and we do not know how to reach them!
Leslie DC, 1 out of 5 stars at Trustpilot
I wanted to use ‘Data recovery’ on my own phone due to a lock out of multiple pin entries, anyway moving forward. Not only is this company Unresponsive but when responds, irrelevant answer! I believe what they seem to advertise is misleading deceiving you name it. I have warned and gave time and opportunity for the company to redirect my concern that or else I will leave a negative feedback and here I am. Nothing but amateurs to say the least! So disappointed with time wasters!!!
Sami, 1 out of 5 stars at Trustpilot
My Verdict: Is FonePaw Data Recovery Worth It?
Based on my tests and usage, I would say that FonePaw Data Recovery is a reliable and secure data recovery tool for Mac. Its user-friendly interface demonstrates a fairly good success rate in retrieving erased files. However, it will still not be my first choice as other tools like Disk Drill are more capable and offer more features.
What I like about it is that FonePaw offers a trial version that lets you scan and preview the intricate details of your data. And it does make the data recovery process fairly simple.
On the downside, to actually recover the scanned data, you’ll need to purchase a license. This requirement could make even the most minor data recovery tasks rather costly, particularly when its alternatives like DiskDrill provide limited data recovery free of charge.
FonePaw Overall Review
FonePaw Overall ReviewFrequently Asked Questions
How secure is FonePaw Data Recovery?
Can FonePaw Data Recovery recover overwritten files?
Is there a mobile version of FonePaw Data Recovery?
Can FonePaw Data Recovery recover data from a damaged hard drive?
FonePaw Data Recovery Review for Mac: Is It Worth It?
FonePaw Data Recovery Software for MacThe Good
- User-friendly interface
- Features two intelligent data recovery modes
- Helps recover data from a RAW hard drive
The Bad
- Need to purchase a license for recovering files
- Has a limitation to recovering large files