Lost voice recording during transfer to IMAC

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Level 1

4 points

Lost voice recording during transfer to IMAC

I tried downloading voice recordings from external device using USB-C to USB Adapter. Looked like the files transferred and appeared as a file on the IMAC desktop but…I couldn’t open it. It disappeared and I tried looking in Finder/Recents but nothing. Wondering if I used wrong adapter (Looking closer, the voice recorder is micro-usb) and all got corrupted. I believe the device is empty of files and displays Disk error when asked to record new. aahhh!! Any chance the files are on my IMAC someplace?

iPhone 13, iOS 26

Posted on Jul 9, 2026 12:32 PM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

160,108 points

Jul 9, 2026 4:29 PM in response to Blimey1234

The fact a file appeared on the Desktop is no assurance it was intact to begin with, and the fact you could not open it strongly implies it was already corrupted.

I wouldn't bother looking for them on your Mac. I'd concentrate on extracting them from that external device. Given the "disk error" messages the chances of success are slim.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

128,664 points

Jul 12, 2026 8:51 AM in response to Blimey1234

You didn't clarify how those external voice recordings were made. If created by a third-party, digital hand-held voice recorder, you may need to revisit that device's user manual to query about their compatibility and file transfer constraints. Some of these are entirely proprietary and not interoperable with anything but the vendor's software.

When copying anything from an external drive, it may help with organization if you created a new folder on your Desktop and drag/drop the files in question into that folder. I never use Finder Recents. Ever.

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