Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
There ’s still a great app to be had here , but it needs to figure out its path and get an update out that supports APFS for starters .
Best Prices Today: Alsoft DiskWarrior
For over 20 years , computer software developerAlsofthas been crank out some of the sound utility software package available for the Mac . And if you ’ve been a tekki at any time between 1998 and now , you ’ll know that DiskWarrior was the tried - and - true software to help dig through a damage gruelling ride . Whoever had the vaunted DiskWarrior CD - ROM could reboot off this , rebuild corrupt directory , and either get the effort running well again or at least put it in a stance where the operating organisation could mount it and information could be go back from it , and no one seemed to do it well than Alsoft and its Mac - specific nidus .
tight forwards to 2024 and interpretation 5.3.1 of its DiskWarrior public utility and things are in skillful physique , but feel as if they ’re start to be left behind where software package and data file organisation support .
Find out how DiskWarrior compares to othersolutions for recovering datum from a Mac hard driving force .
Verifying a volume’s overall structure in DiskWarrior.
DiskWarrior , which supports Mac OS X 10.8 ( Mountain Lion ) or later , retails for $ 119.95 for new users and $ 59.95 for users upgrading to the new edition , continues to underpin the HFS+ format , as well as a extensive array of protocols include FireVault 1 and 2 , Core Storage for Fusion prohibitionist , RAID configurations , and disc effigy and thin bundles but has yet to be upgrade to patronize the APFS formatting , which is becoming more and more predominant on new Macs and the file system standard that Apple is pushing its users towards . The software program , which has moved on from its classical CD - ROM formatting , now make it as a bootable USB fanfare parkway that can be used to boot your Mac in a nip , and can readily tackle all Macs run HFS+ formatting volumes . You ante up redundant for the merchant marine of this blink of an eye drive ( $ 8.95 in the U.S. $ 21.95 outside the U.S. ) , and there is no selection not to select it during purchase .
DiskWarrior ’s ease of role has never lease up for a 2d , and it ’s elementary to download the software after pay for it , put in it , open it , wait a few moment for DiskWarrior to pop system service , read through available volume on your Mac ( which will kick off the spinning rainbow wheel , if only in brief ) , and get to work . It ’s here that the software still stand out in working with stumble volumes , and get down to business in terms of locate demoralize directory , rebuilding file structure , and bushel the stock wear and tear that occurs within file systems to get your data back in order .
Foundry
Verifying a volume’s overall structure in DiskWarrior.
Throughout my testing , it was easy to rise and unmount drives and volumes , perform quick tests on them , easy land up technical specifications , set up automate diagnostics in the predilection scope , as well as notifications through alert , e-mail , AppleScript programs , or text messages , and it feel as if a slap-up syllabus had n’t lose a step . This was the DiskWarrior I loved , and I felt if I ran across a severely damage loudness , I ’d have what I needed to sort things out and get to the datum I necessitate , the software inspiring the same sureness it had all those years ago .
That ’s the good news program .
The bad news come with the harsh reality that DiskWarrior 5.3.1 continues to lack support for the APFS touchstone , that more and more drive are heading towards this data file system , and that the company ’s relative secrecy as to this topic is n’t reassuring . A instance within the company confirmed that Alsoft is presently work on variant 6.0 , which will offer up full APFS backing , but also noted that changes from Apple ’s end , such as not allowing third - party center reference and other technical changes have made the growth process that much more unmanageable and created more roadblocks than had been set up in create previous rendering of DiskWarrior . The representative name Alsoft ’s secure relationship with Apple , but note that there was no prescribed engagement for DiskWarrior 6.0 , as windy as this might be .
Checking a device’s overall health in the Manual Diagnostics tab.
Finally , the want of a free trial version of DiskWarrior 5.3.1 bring potential client up against the rough reality of a unconscionable new exploiter Leontyne Price and a passably steep upgrade price , especially when the software lacks APFS support and can only work with certain volumes .
Should you buy DiskWarrior?
Sometimes a great utility gets stuck in development , and it ’s difficult to get it on what the developer ’s next whole tone might be . There ’s still a dandy covering to be had here , but it needs to reckon out its path , and if that includes semi - heated negotiations with Apple to fully tolerate APFS , so be it . Alsoft needs to put itself in a billet where it can promptly denote that an updated version will be out at a pay date and that it will offer APFS support , which will allow for it to remain a competitive ware . Until that point is reached , it ’s intemperate to venture as to what DiskWarrior ’s fate may be , something the client never wants to learn before making a purchase .
Users will need to boot from a USB flash drive in order to repair Time Machine volumes.
