A client from Newcastle Upon Tyne contacted Newcastle Data Recovery after their iMac failed to boot following a macOS update. The reported issues included:

The iMac got stuck in a boot loop and would not proceed past the Apple logo.
The system attempted automatic macOS recovery but kept crashing.
Disk Utility in Recovery Mode was unable to repair the disk.
The client had no Time Machine backup, and the Apple Store was unable to help.

Since macOS update failures can corrupt the APFS file system, firmware, or SSD structure, forensic-level recovery was required.

Our Expertise in iMac Hard Drive Recovery

With 25 years of experience, Newcastle Data Recovery specializes in:
✔ Recovering data from non-booting macOS systems
✔ Restoring corrupted APFS and HFS+ file systems
✔ Using advanced Mac recovery tools like Acelabs PC3000, R-Studio for Mac, and Atola Insight

Diagnosis & Recovery Process

Upon receiving the iMac, our engineers conducted a detailed forensic assessment. The key findings included:

The APFS file system was partially corrupted, preventing macOS from booting.
The iMac’s internal SSD/HDD was detected but showed multiple bad sectors.
SMART diagnostics indicated wear on the SSD, suggesting NAND degradation.

To successfully recover the client’s critical data, we implemented a multi-step forensic SSD/HDD recovery strategy:

Step 1: Forensic Cloning & TRIM Bypass (For SSDs)

Used Acelabs PC3000 Mac Edition to create a forensic clone of the iMac’s drive.
Disabled TRIM commands to prevent further data loss on the SSD.

Step 2: APFS/HFS+ File System Repair & Data Extraction

Used UFS Explorer and R-Studio for Mac to repair the damaged APFS structure.
Extracted documents, photos, videos, and business files while preserving file integrity.

Step 3: File Verification & Secure Data Transfer

Verified recovered files for usability and completeness.
Transferred all recovered data to an external SSD for future backup.

The Result

We successfully recovered 99.4% of the client’s lost data, including:
✅ Work documents, business invoices, and reports
✅ Photos, videos, and creative projects
✅ Emails, software settings, and application data

The client was able to restore their files and reinstall macOS on a new SSD.

Why Choose Newcastle Data Recovery for iMac Data Recovery?

✅ 25 Years of Expertise – Specialists in macOS recovery and boot failures.
✅ Forensic-Level Data Extraction – Recovering files from corrupted or non-booting iMacs.
✅ Fast, Affordable, & Reliable Service – Offering the best value data recovery in the UK.

If your iMac is stuck in a boot loop or won’t start after a macOS update, contact Newcastle Data Recovery today for expert iMac data recovery services!