If your MacBook 12-inch Retina needs data recovery, our London technicians can help, usually with a quote on the same day you bring it in.
The 12-inch MacBook’s storage is soldered directly to the logic board, so there’s no drive to remove. Recovery means repairing the board enough to boot or connect it in target disk mode. We do the board-level work in-house specifically to get data back.
Because the 12-inch MacBook’s storage is soldered, a failed USB-C charging circuit can make the whole machine look dead. That’s often the first thing we repair.
About this model: The 12-inch MacBook (A1534) was Apple’s thinnest laptop: fanless, with one USB-C port and the first butterfly keyboard. That single port handles charging, data and video, so port faults are serious.
Signs it needs data recovery
- MacBook dead with files inside
- Liquid damage
- Won’t start after a drop
- Charging port failure
How we do it
Recovery here is really a board repair with a different goal. We only need the Mac working long enough to unlock the encrypted storage and copy everything to a new drive.
Typical recoveries include Photos libraries, Mail archives, music collections, business documents and creative projects from Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro or Adobe apps.
At a glance
| Years | 2015–2017 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core M / m3 / i5 / i7, fanless |
| Storage | Soldered to the logic board |
| Memory | Soldered to the logic board |
| Battery | Held with adhesive |
| Power / charging | Single USB-C port |
Before you bring it in
Check iCloud, Time Machine and any external drives first: you may have more backed up than you think. Then bring the Mac in with a short list of the files you need most.
Which model do you have?
This page covers the MacBook 12-inch Retina (2015–2017) (MacBook8,1 / 9,1 / 10,1; A1534). Open the Apple menu, choose About This Mac, then More Info or System Report. The A-number is also printed in small text on the underside. Not sure? Bring it in and we’ll identify it for you.
Price
Logical data recovery from £150 + VAT; physical recovery from damaged drives from £350 + VAT. All prices are subject to inspection, and nothing is done without your approval.
Questions we’re often asked
Will you need my password?
Only if FileVault encryption was switched on. Without it, we can read the drive directly. With it, we need your login password or recovery key.
Do I pay if you can’t fix it?
No. If the repair isn’t possible, you don’t pay for it, and the free initial assessment costs nothing.
Book a repair
Call us on 020 7394 2528 or email info@mac-repair.london to arrange a time to drop it off.