My Mac won’t turn on due to a power supply issue, but I need to recover important data from it. What are the best ways to access or retrieve my files? Are there any methods that don’t require professional data recovery services, or should I consider that as well? Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Mac Model: 15” MacBook Pro (Mid 2017), SSD, Intel
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.6
There is a LifeBoat connector on the Logic Board. Check with an Apple Authorized Service Provider to see if they have the special Apple device which connects to the LifeBoat connector on the Logic Board for the 2017 laptop. As long as the SSD is not bad, the data should be recoverable. Only the AASPs which wish to provide extended support for data recovery will likely have this device. I doubt an Apple Store will have this service since Apple assumes people are taking advantage of using the built-in Time Machine software to easily perform backups, but you can always ask.
@neuroanatomist is absolutely correct regarding backups. People should always have frequent and regular backups of their computer and all external media (including the cloud) which includes important & unique data. There are a lot more new ways to permanently lose access to the data stored on the internal SSD of the recent Macs due to all the hardware, software, and security changes.
There is a LifeBoat connector on the Logic Board. Check with an Apple Authorized Service Provider to see if they have the special Apple device which connects to the LifeBoat connector on the Logic Board for the 2017 laptop. As long as the SSD is not bad, the data should be recoverable. Only the AASPs which wish to provide extended support for data recovery will likely have this device. I doubt an Apple Store will have this service since Apple assumes people are taking advantage of using the built-in Time Machine software to easily perform backups, but you can always ask.
@neuroanatomist is absolutely correct regarding backups. People should always have frequent and regular backups of their computer and all external media (including the cloud) which includes important & unique data. There are a lot more new ways to permanently lose access to the data stored on the internal SSD of the recent Macs due to all the hardware, software, and security changes.
The SSD in the mid-2017 MBP is soldered to the logic board, so you cannot simply remove it and place it into an enclosure to access the data. Unfortunately, I think your best course of action is to have the Mac repaired.
I'd also suggest establishing a robust backup strategy! Hindsight is 20/20, but if you had a backup you would not be where you are now.
Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
Apple only sells the device (literally a small black box) to AASPs for use by the AASP. I did see one being sold on eBay some time ago. That device connects to the Life Boat connector on the 2016 + 2017 MBPro Touchbar models, but the device also needs to be connected to an Intel Mac host using a Thunderbolt 3 cable so the host Mac can access & store the recovered data. The device does not (at least it did not) work with an Apple Silicon M-series host Mac. Plus the device has some quirks for using it that the average person may not figure out.
You should contact a professional data recovery service since they would have the resources to access the data assuming the SSD is functional.
Thank you for the detailed information. It’s really helpful to know about the LifeBoat connector and the role Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) can play in recovering data. I’ll definitely check with an AASP for the special device and recovery support. As for the Apple Store, you’re right—it might be a long shot since they expect users to rely on Time Machine for backups, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
And yes, I completely agree about the importance of frequent backups. With the changes in Mac hardware, software, and security, ensuring data redundancy is critical. Thanks again for the advice!
Thanks for the suggestion earlier. I went to an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), but unfortunately, they told me they can't recover the data. It seems they don’t have the necessary equipment or support for this kind of recovery. I’ll explore other options.
I have the same problem, and am curious to know how I will find a company with the correct tool please?
Can anyone tell me where to buy LifeBoat connector?
How to Recover Data from a Dead Mac with Power Supply Issues?
