Updated 23 May. 2023

Restore M3U files on Mac or Windows

M3U recovery

Best 5 data recovery software for M3U, Media Playlist File

Disk Drill
Free version, Pro version $89
Free recovery: Free recovery - 500 MB for Windows
Download
rateDisk Drill
666762
Recoverit
Free, Professional $49.95, Ultimate $59.95, Technician $299.95
Free recovery: Free recovery - 100 MB
Download
rateRecoverit
308031
Wise Data Recovery
Freeware
Free recovery: Freeware
Download
rateWise Data Recovery
280653
M3 Data Recovery
Free, Home edition $69.95, Professional edition $99.95, Technician edition $299
Free recovery: Free recovery - 1GB
Download
rateM3 Data Recovery
22436
Cisdem
Free, 1 Mac $49.99, 2 Macs - $74.99, 3-5 Macs - $137.99
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateCisdem
56726

Summary review

windows icon Our Windows version Windows 10
time icon How long we tested 2 weeks
exam icon Number of tested tools 18

3 factors to consider when choosing M3U recovery software

Operating system availability

Data loss can occur on any operating system but not all data recovery programs support multiple platforms. Make sure the app you choose is fully compatible with the OS you run or, at least, has a version for that platform particularly. Certain programs even allow the recovery of storage media formatted for a different operating system entirely.

Storage media compatibility

There’s no telling when data loss can strike and you may end up having to recover files from any kind of storage medium, such as SD cards, SSDs, hard drives, RAID setups, and more. It’s important that your chosen data recovery software is fully compatible with the ones you use.

High recovery rate

There’s no point in investing time, effort, and maybe even money into a data recovery program with mediocre chances of success. Make sure to do your research and choose one with a proven track record, making it all the more likely for you to get your lost files back.

Simple steps to recover deleted M3U, Media Playlist File on Windows & Mac

Step 1:

Download the app and install it on a Windows or Mac computer

Step 2:

Start the applicaiton and select the disk where you last saw the missing files

Step 3:

Cick the Recover button to start the scanning process

Step 4:

Select the files to be recovered and click Recover again to restore them

Top 3 tips to prevent M3U files loss

1 Tip

Password protect your machine. If you live in a household with multiple people, then it’s a good idea to put a strong password on your computer or laptop. You never know when a child or another unauthorized person might try to make their way into your machine and fiddle with your files. Better safe than sorry.

2 Tip

Keep work and leisure separate. It’s always a good idea to have a separate computer/laptop for work and general use. If you keep installing and uninstalling programs on a machine, it will hasten the rate at which the operating system might break down. And when it finally does become unstable, you could lose some important data in the process.

3 Tip

Invest in a surge protector. A major power surge can do heavy damage to your computer. A strong enough one could fry the components in your computer, taking all of your important files along with it. So if you live in an area with unpredictable electric currents, spending some money on a surge protector can be a lifesaver.

FAQ

For M3U files that were accidentally deleted using the Delete key or right-click > Delete command, they should be available for restoration from the Windows Recycle Bin tool. Other forms of data loss may be recovered using the File History feature, provided it was enabled beforehand. Otherwise, you’ll need a quality data recovery program.

Deleted M3U files that cannot be found in the Windows Recycle Bin or Mac Trash can still be recovered using an effective data recovery program. Just make sure you stop using the drive they were in right away to avoid overwriting the deleted file. Alternatively, if you had File History enabled or created a System Restore point beforehand, you can use those methods.

The best way to recover M3U files from a memory card is to leverage a top-notch data recovery program, as it’s the most flexible and accessible retrieval method around. It’s worth noting, however, that this is ineffective if you used a “full” format on the card or it has become heavily damaged/compromised. For that, you’ll need to seek out a data recovery service.