Step-by-Step: Using AKick Data Recovery on Windows and macOSLosing files can be stressful—photos, documents, or project files disappear in an instant. AKick Data Recovery is a tool designed to recover deleted, formatted, or otherwise inaccessible files from Windows and macOS systems. This step-by-step guide walks you through installing, scanning, and recovering data on both platforms, plus tips for maximizing recovery success and avoiding future data loss.
What AKick Data Recovery Can Do
AKick Data Recovery supports:
- Recovering deleted files (shift+delete, emptied recycle bin/trash)
- Restoring data from formatted drives
- Recovering files from corrupted or inaccessible partitions
- Retrieving photos, videos, documents, archives, and more
- Previewing recoverable files before restoring
Before you start — important precautions
- Avoid writing new data to the affected drive. Continued use can overwrite deleted files and reduce recovery chances.
- If the lost data was on the system/boot drive, consider running the recovery from an external bootable media or connect the drive to another computer.
- Install AKick Data Recovery on a different drive than the one you’re trying to recover from.
Windows: Step-by-step
1. Download and install
- Visit the official AKick Data Recovery download page and choose the Windows version.
- Save the installer to a drive other than the one with lost data.
- Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions. Allow the app to make changes if prompted.
2. Launch and choose recovery mode
- Open AKick Data Recovery.
- Select a recovery mode based on your situation: “Deleted File Recovery,” “Formatted Recovery,” or “Deep Recovery/RAW Recovery.” For general deleted files, start with Deleted File Recovery; if that fails, use Deep Recovery.
3. Select the drive or location
- In the drive list, select the partition, drive, or external device where files were lost.
- If you know the specific folder path, use the folder-select option to narrow the scan.
4. Scan the drive
- Click “Scan” to begin. AKick will run a quick scan first (if available), then offer a deep scan.
- Quick scans are faster and recover recently deleted files; deep scans take longer but search file signatures for more thorough recovery.
5. Preview and filter results
- After scanning, use the preview pane to inspect files (images, documents, videos).
- Use filters to narrow results by file type, size, or date. Look for filenames or previews to confirm file integrity.
6. Recover and save files
- Select files or folders to recover.
- Click “Recover” and choose a destination on a different drive.
- Verify recovered files by opening a few to ensure they’re intact.
macOS: Step-by-step
1. Download and install
- Go to the AKick Data Recovery macOS download page.
- Download the .dmg installer and open it. Drag the app to the Applications folder.
- If macOS blocks the app, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and allow the app to run.
2. Grant required permissions
- AKick may request Full Disk Access to scan system locations—open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access and add AKick.
- It might also request access to removable volumes—grant as needed.
3. Choose recovery mode
- Launch AKick and pick a recovery mode: Deleted File Recovery, Formatted Recovery, or Deep Recovery.
- For basic deletions, start with Deleted File Recovery.
4. Select drive or volume
- Pick the internal volume, external drive, or SD card where files were lost.
- For APFS containers, select the appropriate volume rather than the whole container if possible.
5. Scan
- Start the scan. Quick scan then deep scan options are typical—run quick first.
- Deep scans can take hours depending on drive size.
6. Preview and recover
- Use the built-in preview to inspect file contents (images, text).
- Select files and click “Recover.” Save recovered files to a different volume (external drive recommended).
- Open recovered files to confirm integrity.
Tips to maximize recovery success
- Stop using the affected drive immediately to avoid overwriting.
- Recover to a different physical drive.
- Use deep scan if files don’t appear in quick scan. Deep scans take longer but find more file signatures.
- For partially corrupted files, try different preview formats; sometimes content is salvageable even if metadata is lost.
- If the drive makes unusual noises (clicking), consider professional data recovery services—do not continue DIY recovery.
Troubleshooting common issues
- App won’t detect drive: ensure the drive is mounted and visible in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS). For external drives, try a different USB port/cable.
- Permission denied on macOS: grant Full Disk Access and restart AKick.
- Files recovered but corrupted: try alternative file recovery modes or look for previous backups. Corruption sometimes prevents full restoration.
- Slow scan: close other apps, and ensure the host system is not accessing the drive heavily.
When to consider professional recovery
- Physical damage (clicking, burning smell).
- Drive not detected at BIOS/EFI level.
- Extremely valuable or sensitive data where DIY risks further damage.
Preventing future data loss
- Keep regular backups using Time Machine (macOS), File History/System Image (Windows), or third‑party cloud solutions.
- Use versioned cloud storage for critical documents.
- Don’t rely on a single storage device—use 3-2-1 backup rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 off-site.
Conclusion
AKick Data Recovery provides a straightforward process to recover deleted and lost files on both Windows and macOS. The basic flow—install on a separate drive, choose recovery mode, scan, preview, and recover to a different drive—applies to both platforms. Use deep scans when needed, avoid writing to the affected drive, and seek professional help if hardware failure is suspected.
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