RetrievalP for Mac: help

What you need

A Mac with macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later, Apple silicon or Intel: the same download works on both. Your iPhone with its USB cable and passcode, and free space for what you save. Nothing else to install: macOS already knows how to talk to an iPhone.

Opening RetrievalP the first time

Open the disk image and drag RetrievalP into Applications, then open it from there. If macOS says it can't check the app for malicious software, open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down and click Open Anyway. You only need to do this once.

Connecting your iPhone

Plug the iPhone into the Mac and unlock it. When it asks whether to trust this computer, tap Trust and enter the passcode. If it doesn't ask, open the Finder and click the iPhone in the sidebar; the question then appears on the phone. Keep the iPhone unlocked while RetrievalP scans and saves.

If RetrievalP says macOS isn't sharing the iPhone connection, restart the Mac and plug the iPhone in again.

Saving

RetrievalP lists your home folder and any external drives. Tick the photos you want, or tick none to save everything, then choose where to save. The first time you save to an external drive, or to Desktop or Documents, macOS asks whether RetrievalP may use it: click Allow. If you clicked Don't Allow, turn it on under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Files and Folders → RetrievalP.

Your pass

Buying in the app unlocks the pass by itself. If you bought on the website, paste the key from your receipt email. Moving to another Mac? Choose Remove the pass from this computer first, then enter the key on the new Mac.

What stays on your Mac

While RetrievalP is open, it keeps an encrypted working copy of what the scan found. Closing RetrievalP deletes it, so recovered photos only stay where you saved them.

To remove RetrievalP, quit it and drag it from Applications to the Trash. To also remove your pass from this Mac and the diagnostics log, delete the folder ~/Library/Application Support/RetrievalP (in the Finder, choose Go → Go to Folder and paste that address).

Still stuck?

Use Contact support in the app, or email support@retrievalp.com. If you can, attach the diagnostics log: choose Diagnostics log at the bottom of the app to find it.

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