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Many people have the annoying experience of losing data, which can be even worse when using different file systems. Microsoft made the FAT32 file system, commonly used for flash drives, memory cards, and portable hard drives, because it works with many operating systems, including macOS.

You start to feel scared when you learn the drive is formatted in FAT32, and you have no idea how to retrieve the files you lost. Don't stress; you're not alone, and there is a way out. However, you need to know how to use certain tools and have specific information to retrieve lost or deleted data from FAT32 drives on a Mac.

We'll look at the best recovery tools to help you get your important files back quickly and safely.

What Is FAT32?

FAT (File Allocation Table) is one of the most famous file systems, now it has 3 standards: FAT 12, FAT 16 and FAT 32. FAT file systems are still commonly found on floppy disks, flash and other solid-state memory cards and modules (including USB flash drives), as well as many portable and embedded devices. FAT is the standard file system for digital cameras per the DCF specification.

File Allocation Table 32, or FAT32, is a file system that Microsoft built in 1996. This addition to the older FAT16 system makes working with bigger disks and files easier. Many people use FAT32 because it works with many operating systems and media devices, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, cameras, and game platforms.

Even though FAT32 is quite old, it is still widely used for USB flash drives, memory cards, and external hard drives because it works with many different operating systems. A folder can be up to 2 TB, and a single file can be up to 4 GB.

It is enough space for most users' needs. But FAT32 does have some problems. For example, files can only be 4GB, which can be a problem for bigger files. You need to know about FAT32 to manage your data across multiple devices and ensure you can easily access and get it back if you lose it.

Top 5 Free FAT32 Data Recovery Software for Mac

The best way to recover lost data from FAT32 USB drive, external drive or SD card is to use free Mac FAT32 data recovery software. Here is the list of best 5 free Mac data recovery software for data recovery from FAT32 device.

1. Do Your Data Recovery for Mac

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free is known for its powerful features and easy-to-use layout. It retrieves data from storage devices like USB drives, memory cards and external hard drives using many file systems, including FAT32.

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free has many useful features, like deep scan, that can help you recover data from many situations, from simple deletions to more complicated data corruption. One great thing about Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free is that it lets you see previews of recoverable files before you recover them. It lets users only fix the data they need.

It also comes with helpful disk management tools, like disk format, first aid, etc. It can help Mac users mount drives, repair damaged drives, format external storage devices, etc.

2. Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery is a trustworthy macOS tool known for recovering lost data from many file systems, including FAT32. This software handles many types of data loss, such as accidental deletions, formatting, corruption, and disk failures, making it useful for both personal and business use.

Stellar Data Recovery has an easy-to-use design that simplifies the recovery process. It has powerful scanning choices, such as a quick scan for quick results and a deep scan for more thorough recovery. Users can see previews of recoverable files to ensure they can only return the needed data.

Stellar Data Recovery also works with many types of files, like documents, pictures, videos, and emails, which makes it more useful for a wide range of data recovery needs. Stellar Data Recovery is a good choice for Mac users who have lost data on FAT32 files because it is both easy to use and has many advanced features.

3. R-Studio

R-Studio is a powerful data recovery tool for macOS that is known for recovering lost data in several file systems, including FAT32. Its powerful features handle everything from simple deletions to complicated data loss situations caused by disk corruption or hardware failures. It can be used for both business and personal data recovery.

Advanced scanning algorithms in R-Studio's many features carefully look for lost or deleted files, increasing the chances of successfully recovering them. In addition, it lets users make disk copies for data recovery, protecting the original drive from damage during recovery.

Although R-Studio has many strong features, it still has an easy-to-use interface that walks users through the recovery process. This means that anyone can use it, even those who aren't very good with computers.

4. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Many people recommend EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard as a great data recovery tool for macOS. It has an easy-to-use layout and can recover a lot of data. It works with many file systems, including FAT32, so that you can save data from USB drives, memory cards, and external hard drives with this file system.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is great at recovering data that has been lost in many different situations, such as when you accidentally delete or reset your drive or your computer crashes. The software lets users quickly find and return lost files with quick scan and deep scan choices. It also lets them make sure they want to return the right data.

With only three steps—choosing the drive, checking for lost data, and recovering the files—EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard makes it easy for non-pros to get their data back. It is a good choice for anyone who needs to recover data from FAT32 files on a Mac because it has many features and is easy to use.

5. Tenorshare 4DDiG

Tenorshare 4DDiG is a strong data recovery software for macOS that has many great features and is easy to use. It works with many file systems, including FAT32, making it a great choice for retrieving data from FAT32-formatted USB drives, memory cards, and external hard drives.

Tenorshare 4DDiG handles many types of data loss, such as accidental deletions, formatting, file system corruption, and malware attacks. The software lets users find and return lost files by choosing between quick and deep scans.

Tenorshare 4DDiG makes recovery easier for people of all technical levels. The software works with many files, like photos, videos, papers, and more, to fully recover lost data. Tenorshare 4DDiG is a safe way to retrieve data from FAT32 drives on a Mac because it has powerful recovery tools and an easy-to-use interface.

How to Recover Lost Data from FAT32 Drive on Mac with Freeware?

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free supports to recover lost data from NTFS, APFS, Mac OS Extended (HFS), ReFS, FAT12/16/32 (MS-DOS (FAT)), ExFAT, etc.

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac

  • Recover deleted, formatted or lost data from FAT 12/16/32 system under Mac OS.
  • Recover all lost data from Mac hard drive, USB flash drive, memory card, digital camera, or other storage media device.
  • Recover lost data from other file systems including NTFS, HFS/HFS+, APFS, exFAT, etc.

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free is a DIY data recovery software. It is very easy-to-use. Now, just open it from Launchpad. You can easily recover all your lost data from the FAT32 drive on Mac:

Step 1. Select the FAT32 drive to start data recovery.

Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free supports to recover all file formats including videos, photos, documents, emails, audio files, archives, etc. Make sure the FAT32 drive is connect to your Mac. Open Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free, select the FAT32 drive to start data recovery.

free FAT32 data recovery for Mac

Step 2. Scan the FAT32 drive to find all lost files.

Once the FAT32 drive is selected, just click on Scan button to deeply scan the FAT32 drive and find all recoverable files.

free FAT32 data recovery for Mac

Step 3. Preview and recover lost files after scanning.

Once the scan is completed, FAT file recovery freeware for Mac will list all recoverable files. You can preview the files. Then select the wanted files and save them to a safe hard drive or device.

free FAT32 data recovery for Mac

FAQs About Free FAT32 Data Recovery Software for Mac

1. What is the best free FAT32 data recovery software for Mac?

Here is the list of top 5 free FAT32 data recovery software for Mac:

  • Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free
  • Stellar Data Recovery for Mac
  • R-Studio
  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac
  • Tenorshare 4DDIG

2. How to recover lost data from FAT32 drive on Mac?

  • Download and install Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free on your Mac.
  • Connect the FAT32 drive to your Mac.
  • Open Do Your Data Recovery for Mac Free and select the FAT32 drive to start data recovery.
  • Click on Scan button to deeply scan the FAT32 drive.
  • Preview and recover lost files.

3. How to format and unformat FAT32 drive on Mac?

To format a drive to FAT32, just open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase. Then select MS-DOS (FAT) as the file system, click Erase again to format the drive to FAT32.

To recover lost data from a formatted FAT32 drive, just use free Mac data recovery software to scan the formatted FAT32 drive and get all lost files back.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, you can get files from FAT32 drives back on a Mac with the right tools. You can get back lost or removed files with this software. All of them have powerful features and easy-to-use interfaces.

These tools can handle data loss situations and file types to provide complete recovery options. You can quickly get back your important files and lessen the effects of data loss by following the detailed steps and using the advanced features of these software choices.

DoYourData Author

Written & Updated by Henry Lee

Henry Lee joined DoYourData in 2022. He is interested in writing articles about fixing PC/Mac’s problems. He often shares tutorials and skills regarding information tech and enjoys helping people solve various data loss problems or hard drive crash problems. He likes reading and cooking very much when he is off work.

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