MacBook
Data Recovery
MacBook won't turn on but you need your data? On 2018+ models (T2, M1-M4), the data is encrypted on the logic board — the only path to recovery is repairing the board. That's exactly what we do. English-speaking team.
from 720 RON
Board repair + data
2-5 days
Recovery time
No data
No payment
3 months
Repair warranty
Why data recovery on MacBook 2018+ is different
Starting in 2018, Apple fundamentally changed MacBook storage architecture. The T2 chip (on Intel models 2018-2020) and Apple Silicon processors (M1, M2, M3, M4) automatically encrypt all data on the SSD with AES-256. The decryption key is stored in the Secure Enclave — a security processor integrated on the logic board.
What this means in practice: data cannot be accessed by any means other than the original logic board. You can't remove the SSD (it's soldered), you can't do chip-off (you only get encrypted, unusable data), and there is no software that can bypass Apple's hardware encryption.
The only path to recovery: logic board repair. We identify the faulty component (capacitor, MOSFET, power circuit, USB-C port), repair it via micro-soldering, and power the MacBook on long enough to copy all data to an external drive. After recovery, you can decide whether to fully repair the MacBook or just keep the data.
Important: chip-off and software recovery do NOT work on MacBook 2018+
Any service that promises data recovery via "chip-off" or "specialised software" on a MacBook with T2 or Apple Silicon either doesn't understand Apple's architecture or isn't being honest. The data is hardware-encrypted — the only path is via the original logic board.
How we recover data — by MacBook generation
The recovery method depends on the MacBook's year. Each generation has a different architecture.
MacBook 2015 and older
Architecture
Detachable SSD, not hardware-encrypted. Removed from MacBook and connected to an external adapter.
Method
Direct physical extraction — we remove the SSD, mount it in an Apple-compatible adapter and copy the data.
Time & complexity
1-2 days. The simplest scenario — no logic board repair needed.
MacBook Pro 2016-2017 (Touch Bar)
Architecture
SSD soldered to board, T1 chip (Touch Bar only). There is a "lifeboat" connector (J9600) on the board that offers direct storage access.
Method
If the board doesn't power on, we can access the data via the lifeboat connector with a specialised adapter. If that doesn't work, we repair the board.
Time & complexity
2-3 days. Medium complexity — multiple access paths available.
MacBook 2018-2020 (Intel + T2)
Architecture
SSD soldered, AES-256 encrypted by the T2 chip. Decryption key in Secure Enclave, on the board. Chip-off produces only encrypted, unusable data.
Method
Logic board repair required. We identify and replace the faulty component, power the MacBook on, copy data via Thunderbolt (Target Disk Mode / macOS Recovery).
Time & complexity
3-5 days. High complexity — requires micro-soldering and professional equipment.
MacBook 2020+ Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4)
Architecture
Integrated SSD, storage controller and Secure Enclave on the same SoC (M1/M2/M3/M4). Data is fully inaccessible without a working logic board.
Method
Logic board repair required. We restore power, boot the MacBook, and transfer data via Thunderbolt to another Mac (Apple Configurator / Share Disk).
Time & complexity
3-5 days. The most complex scenario — the SoC integrates everything, so the power circuit must be perfectly functional.
MacBook data recovery prices
On 2018+ models, data recovery requires logic board repair. Prices include diagnostic + repair + data copy.
No data recovered = no charge for the repair. You only pay the diagnostic.
| Model | Board repair price |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air · M1 2020 | 1400 RON |
| MacBook Air · Intel 2020 | 1200 RON |
| MacBook Air · Intel 2018-2019 | 1200 RON |
| MacBook Air · Intel 2013-2017 | 720 RON |
| MacBook Air · M4 2025 · 13" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Air · M4 2025 · 15" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Air · M3 2024 · 13" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Air · M3 2024 · 15" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Air · M2 2022 · 13" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Air · M2 2023 · 15" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M2 2022 · 13" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M1 2020 · 13" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · Intel 2020 · 13" | 1400 RON |
| MacBook Pro · Intel 2016-2017 · 13" | 1400 RON |
| MacBook Pro · Intel 2018-2019 · 13" | 1400 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M4 2025 · 14" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M3 2023 · 14" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M2 2023 · 14" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M1 2021 · 14" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M4 2025 · 16" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M3 2023 · 16" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M2 2023 · 16" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M1 2021 · 16" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · Intel 2019 · 16" | 1400 RON |
| MacBook Pro · Intel 2016-2017 · 15" | 1400 RON |
| MacBook Pro · Intel 2018-2019 · 15" | 1400 RON |
| MacBook Air · M5 2026 · 13" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Air · M5 2026 · 15" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M5 2026 · 14" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Pro · M5 2026 · 16" | 1800 RON |
| MacBook Air · A18 Air 2026 | 1800 RON |
Prices include diagnostic + board repair + data copy + VAT. 3-month repair warranty.
How data recovery works
From dead MacBook to recovered data — step by step.
Free diagnostic
We evaluate the MacBook, identify the cause of failure and determine the recovery method suited to your model.
Quote & approval
You receive the exact price and proposed method. You decide whether to proceed — no obligation.
Board repair
On 2018+ models: micro-soldering on the logic board. On older ones: SSD extraction and direct read.
Data copy
We power the MacBook on, copy all data to an external drive (yours or one we provide) and verify integrity.
Handover
You receive the drive with your data. You decide whether you also want a full MacBook repair or just the data.
Common data recovery scenarios
These are the most common situations where our customers need data recovery.
MacBook won't turn on
Faulty power circuit, but the SSD with the data is intact. We repair the board, copy the data, and you wonder why you didn't back up sooner.
Liquid damage
Coffee, water, juice on MacBook. Corrosion stops the board, but data is on the SSD. Ultrasonic cleaning + repair = access to data.
Black screen, encrypted SSD
MacBook powers on (you hear the fan) but the screen stays black. On T2/Apple Silicon, you can't access data without a working display or board repair.
MacBook declared "unrepairable"
Another shop told you "nothing more can be done". In 85% of cases, we can repair the board enough to copy the data.
No iCloud/Time Machine backup
Photos, documents, projects — everything was only on the MacBook. We recover the data from the SSD via board repair.
Old MacBook, detachable SSD
MacBook 2015 or older. We remove the SSD, read it with an adapter and copy the data. Fast and simple.
What does NOT work for MacBook 2018+ data recovery
There are many myths and misinformation about data recovery on modern MacBooks. Here's what doesn't work and why:
Chip-off (desoldering NAND chips) — on MacBooks with T2 or Apple Silicon, you can physically desolder the flash memory chips and read them with an external programmer. But the data you get is AES-256 encrypted. Without the key from the Secure Enclave (which is on the logic board), you only have a heap of unusable bytes. Not even the most powerful compute farm in the world can break AES-256.
Recovery software (Disk Drill, TestDisk, etc.) — these tools work on accessible disks. But if the MacBook doesn't power on, the SSD is not accessible. And even if you somehow boot into recovery, the data still goes through the Secure Enclave — you can't bypass the encryption.
External SSD adapters — work great on MacBook 2015 and older, where the SSD is detachable and not hardware-encrypted. On 2018+, the SSD is soldered to the board and encrypted — you can't read it externally.
Logic board replacement — doesn't work either. If you put a different logic board, it has a different Secure Enclave with a different key. The data on the old SSD remains encrypted with the key from the old board. The solution is repairing the original board, not replacing it.
Why Radical Service
Professional micro-soldering
We repair logic boards at component level — the only data recovery method on MacBook 2018+.
No data, no payment
If we can't recover the data, you don't pay for the repair. Zero risk for you.
Full confidentiality
We don't access file contents. The goal is strictly access recovery. NDA available on request.
85%+ success rate
Over 85% of MacBooks brought in for data recovery are successfully resolved.
Complete equipment
Microscope, oscilloscope, micro-soldering station, ultrasonic bath — everything needed for board repair.
Free courier
Not from Bucharest? Send the MacBook by courier. Free return with the recovered data.
Frequently asked
Do your technicians speak English?
How much does MacBook data recovery cost?
Can data be recovered from a MacBook with T2 or Apple Silicon chip?
My MacBook fell in water. Can the data be recovered?
How long does data recovery take?
Is the data confidential?
What happens if the data cannot be recovered?
Can I recover data even if the MacBook doesn't turn on at all?
Do you recover data from iPhone or iPad too?
I have an old MacBook (2015 or earlier). How is data recovered?
Can I send the MacBook by courier?
Need your MacBook data back? We can help.
40 Aristotel Pappia St., Sector 1, Bucharest · Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30 · English-speaking