iMac Fusion Drive Data Recovery: Failing SSD Recovered in Full

Proven iMac Fusion Drive Data Recovery: All Files Restored from Failing SSD

When Christine from Toowoomba, Queensland, found that her iMac had stopped booting, years of art and design work were suddenly locked away. The system could not find a partition, and her desktop folders containing irreplaceable creative files were completely inaccessible. She sent in a 128GB Samsung SSD and a 3TB Seagate hard drive, both removed from her iMac, to Payam Data Recovery in Sydney for professional iMac Fusion Drive data recovery.

Payam Toloo, the owner of Payam Data Recovery, explained that these two drives work together as what Apple calls a Fusion Drive. It is a type of span that combines a fast SSD for frequently used files with a larger hard drive for storage. The Mac sees them as one volume. The tricky part is that both drives are needed to access the data. If one fails or goes missing, the files become inaccessible.

The Problem: iMac Stopped Booting Due to a Failing SSD

Christine’s iMac contained a Fusion Drive consisting of a 128GB Samsung SSD and a 3TB Seagate hard drive. One day, the iMac would not boot. The system could not find a partition. Christine needed the folders from her desktop, which contained years of art and design work. Without professional iMac Fusion Drive data recovery, these files would remain permanently inaccessible.

Because a Fusion Drive operates as a combined volume, recovering the data required both drives to be present and functional. If either drive is missing, reformatted, or discarded, the data cannot be recovered. This is what makes iMac data recovery from Fusion Drives more complex than a standard single-drive recovery.

The iMac Fusion Drive Data Recovery Process

The recovery team began by testing the 3TB Seagate hard drive using the Atola Insight Forensic. The drive was detected, its SMART status looked healthy, and a quick scan showed no hardware issues. A clone of the hard drive was made straight away. Professional data recovery companies always work from clones to protect the original and have a backup if anything goes wrong.

Next came the 128GB Samsung SSD. Apple uses a proprietary connector, so a special adapter was needed. The SSD was detected, but a media scan told a different story: slow reads, bad sectors, and failing blocks. This explained why the iMac stopped booting.

Payam Data Recovery uses a custom imaging algorithm designed for failing SSDs. It reduces stress on the drive and uses specialised hardware commands to extract as much data as possible. This SSD clone took nearly 36 hours to reach 99% completion.

With both clones ready, they were connected to an iMac. Normally, a Fusion Drive mounts automatically with an orange icon. But not this time. Disc Utility could not join them. So the team opened UFS Explorer, which detected the Fusion Drive as a two-disk span and allowed browsing of the files. Christine’s art and design folders were all there.

iMac Fusion Drive Data Recovery Results

All of Christine’s art and design folders were recovered successfully. The files were saved to the external hard drive Christine supplied. The team then ran in-house verification tools, generated a complete file listing, and recorded a 90-second video preview of the recovered folders for Christine to review.

Once Christine approved and paid, the recovered data was shipped back via Australia Post Express at no extra cost. A backup was kept until delivery was confirmed. This is standard practice for every iMac data recovery job at Payam Data Recovery, ensuring customers can verify their files before the backup is removed.

Why Professional iMac Fusion Drive Data Recovery Matters

Apple Fusion Drives present unique challenges that make DIY recovery risky. Because the SSD and hard drive function as a single combined volume, both components must be present and intact. Attempting to reformat either drive, reinstall macOS, or discard one of the two drives will make recovery significantly harder or impossible.

Payam Toloo shared an important warning: if your iMac has problems and someone removes the hard drive or SSD, ask them to check if it is a Fusion Drive. Payam Data Recovery has seen cases where customers sent in the hard drive, but the SSD was left inside the computer and the computer was thrown out. In other cases, customers sent the SSD but reformatted the hard drive to try to fix the Mac. Both drives are needed to recover the data. Do not reformat or dispose of either drive.

Professional recovery requires specialised equipment including the Atola Insight Forensic for hard drive diagnostics, custom imaging algorithms for failing SSDs, and software such as UFS Explorer for Fusion Drive reconstruction. These tools are not available to consumers and are essential for handling NAND flash degradation and complex multi-drive volumes. This is why iMac Fusion Drive data recovery should only be attempted by a specialist laboratory with the right equipment and experience.

Which iMac Models Have a Fusion Drive?

Most iMacs from late 2012 through 2019 could be configured with an Apple Fusion Drive, which is a combination of a small SSD and a larger hard drive that macOS treats as one volume. The main families where Fusion was offered as an option are:

• Late 2012 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac (first Fusion models)
• Late 2013 21.5-inch and 27-inch
• Late 2014 27-inch 5K
• Late 2015 21.5-inch (including 4K) and 27-inch 5K
• 2017 21.5-inch 4K and 27-inch 5K
• 2019 21.5-inch 4K and 27-inch 5K

In these generations, Fusion was always just one of several storage options. Some configurations had a plain hard drive, and others had SSD only, so you cannot assume a given iMac has a Fusion Drive just from the model and year.

How to Tell If Your iMac Has a Fusion Drive

If your iMac is dead and you need to confirm whether it had a Fusion Drive, the best approach is to use the serial number and look up the original configuration on an Apple spec or coverage site or a trusted Mac spec database. This will confirm whether it shipped with an HDD, SSD, or Fusion Drive.

If you can open the machine, a typical Fusion setup has both a standard 3.5-inch (or 2.5-inch) SATA hard disk and a separate small blade-style SSD mounted on the logic board. If both are present, it was almost certainly configured as a Fusion Drive unless someone changed the configuration later.

If the logic board has died but the drives are intact, you can remove both the HDD and the blade SSD, connect them to another Mac, and see if data recovery or disk tools recognise them as the two parts of a former Fusion volume when both are attached together.

If one half of the pair has completely failed, the remaining disk usually will not mount as a normal macOS volume. At that point, confirming that it was a Fusion setup depends on the iMac falling in the 2012 to 2019 era where Fusion was common, the presence of both a hard drive and a blade SSD inside, and the fact that macOS can no longer assemble them into one volume. In that situation, professional iMac Fusion Drive data recovery is the safest path to retrieving your files.

iMac Data Recovery Pricing and Services

Data recovery from this type of problem can range from $375 to $2,000 for our Economy service, and more for our Priority and Emergency services. We offer a free assessment and quote with no obligation, so our engineers will test your drives and provide a specific quote before any work begins.

Payam Data Recovery recovers data from all iMac models, including those with Fusion Drives, standalone SSDs, and traditional hard drives. We also recover data from MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro. Whether your iMac has stopped booting, has a failing SSD, a dead hard drive, or liquid damage, our engineers have the tools and experience to recover your files. International customers worldwide are welcome to ship their drives using an international courier or postal service.

Frequently Asked Questions: iMac Fusion Drive Data Recovery

Can data be recovered from a failed iMac Fusion Drive?

Yes. In this case study, Christine’s iMac Fusion Drive failed due to bad sectors on the SSD, and all her art and design files were recovered. Professional recovery tools such as the Atola Insight Forensic, custom SSD imaging algorithms, and UFS Explorer can reconstruct Fusion Drive volumes even when one component is failing. The key requirement is that both the SSD and hard drive must be present.

What is an Apple Fusion Drive?

An Apple Fusion Drive is a type of span that combines a fast SSD for frequently used files with a larger hard drive for general storage. The Mac sees them as one volume. Both drives are needed to access the data. If one drive fails or goes missing, the files become inaccessible. This technology was used in many iMac models from 2012 onwards.

Why did the iMac stop booting?

In this case, the 128GB Samsung SSD had developed bad sectors and failing blocks. A media scan revealed slow reads across the drive. Because the Fusion Drive relies on the SSD for frequently accessed files and boot data, the failing SSD prevented the iMac from finding a partition and starting up.

How much does iMac data recovery cost in Australia?

Data recovery from this type of problem can range from $375 to $2,000 for the Economy service, and more for Priority and Emergency services. Payam Data Recovery offers a free assessment and quote with no obligation, so you will receive a specific price before any work begins. All prices include GST and free return postage.

What happens if I only send one drive from a Fusion Drive?

Both the SSD and the hard drive are required for a successful Fusion Drive recovery. If one drive is missing, reformatted, or discarded, the data cannot be recovered. Payam Data Recovery strongly advises keeping both drives and not reformatting either one if your iMac has problems.

How long does iMac Fusion Drive data recovery take?

Turnaround depends on the service tier chosen and the complexity of the case. Economy service has the longest turnaround, while Priority and Emergency services offer progressively faster completion. In Christine’s case, the SSD clone alone took nearly 36 hours due to the bad sectors and failing blocks on the drive. Contact us for a free assessment and we will provide an estimated turnaround with your quote.

What tools are used for iMac Fusion Drive data recovery?

Payam Data Recovery used the Atola Insight Forensic to test the hard drive, a custom imaging algorithm with specialised hardware commands to clone the failing SSD, an Apple proprietary SSD adapter, and UFS Explorer to reconstruct and browse the Fusion Drive volume.

Can I try to recover the data myself?

DIY recovery from a Fusion Drive is not recommended. Consumer software cannot safely image a failing SSD with bad sectors, and standard tools such as Disc Utility may not be able to rejoin the Fusion Drive components after failure. In this case, Disc Utility could not join the drives, and specialised software (UFS Explorer) was required. Incorrect handling can cause further data loss.

Do you recover data from iMacs with standalone SSDs or traditional hard drives?

Yes. Payam Data Recovery handles all iMac configurations including Fusion Drives, standalone SSDs, and traditional hard drives. We also recover data from MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro. Our team has specialised equipment for Apple’s proprietary SSD connectors and T2/M-series security chips.

Do you accept iMac Fusion Drive data recovery jobs from international customers?

Yes. International customers worldwide are welcome to ship their hard drive, SSD, or complete iMac to our Sydney laboratory using an international courier or postal service such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, or their national postal service. We provide the same free assessment, detailed quoting, and secure return shipping for international clients as we do for Australian customers.

What should I do if my iMac has stopped booting and I suspect a Fusion Drive failure?

Do not attempt to reformat, reinstall macOS, or discard either drive. If someone has already removed a drive from your iMac, make sure both the hard drive and the blade SSD are kept safe. Contact Payam Data Recovery for a free assessment. Our engineers will test both drives and provide a specific iMac Fusion Drive data recovery quote before any work begins.

About Payam Data Recovery

Payam Data Recovery is Australia’s oldest data recovery company, established in 1998. With over 150,000 successful recoveries, the team operates from laboratories in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, with secure drop-off points in Perth and Adelaide. The Rhodes, NSW facility features a Class 100 cleanroom and houses over 20,000 donor parts.

Trusted by over 2,000 IT professionals and computer repair businesses across Australia, Payam Data Recovery uses industry-leading equipment including the Atola Insight Forensic for hard drive diagnostics and custom imaging algorithms for SSD recovery. All work is performed in Australia and is never outsourced overseas.

International customers worldwide are welcome to ship their hard drive, SSD, or complete iMac to our Sydney laboratory using an international courier or postal service. We have completed iMac Fusion Drive data recovery jobs for customers across the globe and provide the same free assessment, detailed quoting, and secure return shipping for international clients.

For iMac data recovery, the team handles Fusion Drives, standalone SSDs, traditional hard drives, and all Apple-specific configurations including T2 and M-series chip security.

Related iMac and Apple Data Recovery Case Studies

• MacBook Data Recovery: Dead Logic Board Case Study
• MacBook Liquid Damage Data Recovery Case Study
• SSD NAND Degradation Recovery Case Study

View Full Video Transcript: iMac Fusion Drive Data Recovery

Hi, I’m Mike and I’m back at Payam Data Recovery in Sydney meeting with the owner Payam Toloo to see how they handle Apple Fusion Drive recoveries. Christine from Toowoomba in Queensland sent in a 128GB Samsung SSD and a 3TB Seagate hard drive removed from her iMac after it stopped booting. The system couldn’t find a partition. Christine needed folders from her desktop containing years of art and design work.

Payam explained that these two drives work together as what Apple calls a Fusion Drive. It’s a type of span combining a fast SSD for frequently used files with a larger hard drive for storage. The Mac sees them as one volume. The tricky part, both drives are needed to access the data. If one fails or goes missing, the files become inaccessible.

Payam tested the hard drive first on his Atola Insight Forensic. It was detected. SMART status looked healthy and a quick scan showed no hardware issues. So far so good. He made a clone of the hard drive straight away. Professional data recovery companies always work from clones to protect the original and have a backup if anything goes wrong.

Next, the SSD. Apple uses a proprietary connector, so Payam attached a special adapter. The SSD was detected, but a media scan told a different story. Slow reads, bad sectors, and failing blocks. This explained why the iMac stopped booting.

Payam Data Recovery uses a custom imaging algorithm designed for failing SSDs. It reduces stress on the drive and uses specialised hardware commands to extract as much data as possible. This clone took nearly 36 hours to reach 99%.

With both clones ready, Payam connected them to an iMac in his office. Normally a Fusion Drive mounts automatically with an orange icon. But not this time. Disc Utility couldn’t join them. So Payam opened UFS Explorer which detected the Fusion Drive as a two-disk span and allowed him to browse the files. Christine’s art and design folders were all there.

The files were saved to the external hard drive Christine supplied. Payam then ran in-house verification tools, generated a complete file listing, and recorded a 90-second video preview of the recovered folders. Once Christine approved and paid, it was shipped back via Australia Post Express at no extra cost with a backup kept until delivery was confirmed.

Here’s a tip from Payam. If you have an iMac with problems and someone removes your hard drive or SSD, ask them to check if it’s a Fusion Drive. We’ve seen cases where customers send in a hard drive, but the SSD was left inside and the computer thrown out. Or they send the SSD, but reformat the hard drive to fix the Mac. Both drives are needed to recover your data. Thank you for watching.