Data recovery from damaged Mac logic boards and NAND chips
On most modern Macs the storage chips sit on the logic board and are encrypted to it. When the board fails, the data can only come back by repairing the board itself – which is exactly the work our bench does.
Why chip-off does not work on new Macs
On Macs with a T2 or Apple silicon chip, every file is encrypted with keys held inside that chip. Removing the NAND storage and reading it elsewhere produces only encrypted data that cannot be unlocked. The original board, with its security chip, has to work again.
Older Macs without that hardware encryption, and Macs with removable SSDs, give us more options, including direct reading of the storage.
How we recover it
We diagnose the board with schematics, thermal imaging and power analysis, then replace failed components under the microscope. The aim is a board stable enough to start the Mac so we can copy your data off – not necessarily a full repair for long-term use, unless you want that too.
What it costs
Every job starts with a professional evaluation (£94.80). You then get a fixed quote and a list of recoverable files before any recovery work is charged. As a guide, board-level recoveries fall in our advanced £1,400–£2,800 band, depending on the damage found.
Frequently asked questions
Apple said the board needs replacing. Is my data gone?
A board replacement does not bring your data back, because the encryption keys go with the old board. Board-level repair is the only way to recover it.
Can you move my storage chips to a working board?
On T2 and Apple silicon Macs, no: the data is tied to the original security chip. We repair the original board instead.
How long does board-level recovery take?
Typically a few days to two weeks, depending on parts and how much damage we find.
Related services
macOS Corruption & Failed UpdatesBoot loops, stuck updates and corrupted APFS volumes.
Deleted or Formatted Mac FilesEmptied Trash, erased disks and accidental reformats.
Mac SSD & Fusion Drive FailureFusion Drive, Apple blade SSD and soldered storage failures.
MacBook Liquid DamageCoffee, water and drink spills on MacBook Air and Pro.
Mac Not Powering On or BootingDead Macs, black screens and boot failures.
FileVault-Encrypted Mac RecoveryFailed encrypted Mac drives, unlocked with your credentials.
iMac & Mac Pro Hard Drive CrashClicking and failed hard drives in iMac and Mac Pro towers.
Talk to an engineer
Describe the problem and the make and model if you know it. We will reply with a price and the fastest way to get it fixed, usually the same working day.
020 7237 6805 London repair centreUnit 1, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY
Monday to Saturday, 9am–6pm
Ready to send it in? Book online and get your job number by email straight away.