A client contacted Birmingham Data Recovery after accidentally dropping their MacBook, which contained a Fusion Drive system consisting of:
- A 128GB SSD (Solid-State Drive)
- A 1TB 2.5” SATA Hard Drive
Following the drop, the client experienced:
- MacBook failing to boot, showing a flashing question mark folder.
- The Fusion Drive was not recognised, preventing access to personal and business data.
- A local computer shop was unable to assist due to the complexity of the Fusion Drive setup and referred the client to us.
- The hard drives contained important work files, photos, and personal documents, requiring urgent recovery.
Since the Fusion Drive is a hybrid system, both the SSD and HDD must be recovered together for a full data restoration.
Our Expertise in MacBook Fusion Drive Data Recovery
With 25 years of experience, Birmingham Data Recovery specializes in:
✔ Recovering data from MacBook Fusion Drives after physical damage
✔ Rebuilding APFS/HFS+ file systems and macOS storage configurations
✔ Advanced SSD & SATA drive data extraction techniques
Diagnosis & Recovery Process
Upon receiving the MacBook and its two Fusion Drive components, our engineers performed a comprehensive forensic analysis. The key findings included:
- The SSD was still functional but had logical corruption due to the impact.
- The 2.5″ SATA hard drive suffered mechanical failure, likely from a damaged read/write head or stuck spindle motor.
- The Fusion Drive was completely broken, meaning macOS could not access the stored data.
To successfully recover the client’s MacBook data, we implemented a multi-step forensic recovery strategy:
Step 1: Hard Drive Repair & Imaging
- Opened the 2.5” SATA hard drive to inspect physical damage.
- Replaced the damaged read/write heads with donor parts from a matching MacBook HDD model.
- Successfully unstuck the drive’s spindle motor, allowing data access.
- Created a sector-by-sector forensic image of both the HDD and SSD to prevent further damage.
Step 2: Fusion Drive Reconstruction & macOS File System Recovery
- Used specialized Apple data recovery tools to virtually rebuild the Fusion Drive structure.
- Analysed and reconstructed the APFS file system, ensuring that fragmented files were reassembled.
Step 3: File Extraction & Data Integrity Check
- Extracted personal files, business documents, and multimedia data from the recovered Fusion Drive image.
- Verified document integrity, ensuring that work files, emails, and photos were accessible.
Step 4: Secure Data Transfer & Backup Recommendations
- Transferred all recovered data onto a new external SSD for safe access.
- Provided backup solutions to prevent future data loss.
The Result
We successfully recovered 99.6% of the client’s data, including:
✅ Work-related documents and project files
✅ Personal photos, videos, and archived emails
✅ Application files, settings, and macOS system data
The client was able to resume work immediately, ensuring no permanent data loss despite the physical damage to the MacBook.
Why Choose Birmingham Data Recovery for MacBook Fusion Drive Recovery?
✅ 25 Years of Expertise – Specialists in MacBook Fusion Drive and physical hard drive failures.
✅ Fusion Drive Reconstruction & APFS Recovery – Rebuilding macOS storage structures for maximum data recovery.
✅ Fast & Secure Process – Protecting sensitive personal and business data.
If your MacBook Fusion Drive has failed due to a drop, physical damage, or logical corruption, contact Birmingham Data Recovery today for professional assistance!