If your MacBook Air M5 needs data recovery, our London technicians can help, usually with a quote on the same day you bring it in.
The M5’s storage is soldered and encrypted. If your new Air has been damaged before you’d set up a backup, board-level repair is the only way to get your data back. We also help recover from mistakes such as accidental deletion or a failed migration.
If you migrated from an older Mac with Migration Assistant and something went missing, the files are sometimes still on the old Mac. Bring both machines in if you can.
About this model: The M5 MacBook Air, released in March 2026, keeps the familiar design but brings the M5 chip, 512GB base storage and Wi-Fi 7 via Apple’s N1 wireless chip. Every one is still within Apple’s one-year warranty, so for manufacturing faults Apple is the right first stop.
Signs it needs data recovery
- New Mac damaged before backups
- Liquid spill
- Failed migration
- Accidental deletion
How we do it
Because the encryption keys live in the Mac’s own security hardware, a standalone copy of the storage would be unreadable. We restore the original board to working order, unlock the volume and transfer your files.
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 | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5, fanless, N1 wireless chip |
| Storage | Soldered to the logic board |
| Memory | Unified memory inside the chip package (not upgradeable) |
| Battery | Held with adhesive |
| Power / charging | MagSafe 3 plus two Thunderbolt 4 ports |
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, plus your login password.
Which model do you have?
This page covers the MacBook Air M5 (13 & 15-inch, 2026) (MacBook Air (13-inch, M5, 2026) and MacBook Air (15-inch, M5, 2026)). 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
My Mac might still be under warranty. Should I come to you?
If the fault is a manufacturing defect and your Mac is within Apple’s warranty or AppleCare+, Apple is usually the cheapest route and we’ll tell you so. Accidental damage, spills and anything outside cover is where we can help, often faster.
Can you take the drive out and read it in another computer?
Not on this model. The storage is encrypted with keys held by the Mac’s own security hardware, so it can only be read through the original board. That’s why we repair the board rather than replace it.
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.