Recover Files from Seagate Backup Plus | Step-by-Step Guide 2026

This guide provides a complete overview of Seagate Backup Plus data recovery. Learn the most effective methods and tools to successfully recover files from Seagate Backup Plus drives after deletion, formatting, or corruption.

By Delores    Updated on March 27, 2026

About Seagate File Recovery

When you plug in your trusty Seagate Backup Plus drive, ready to access years of photos, important work documents, or your personal media library, and… nothing. It’s not recognized, files are missing, or you accidentally formatted the wrong drive. Panic sets in immediately.

Stay calm, learning how to recover files from Seagate Backup Plus drives is a common and often solvable problem. This guide shows you every step of Seagate Backup Plus data recovery.

Does Seagate Backup Plus Have Exclusive Data Recovery Software?

No, Seagate does not provide exclusive data recovery software specifically for its Backup Plus series. But Seagate offers two types of official tools and services: Seagate Toolkit (backup software, not data recovery software) and Seagate Rescue Data Recovery Services (free or paid).

Thus, you can recover files from Seagate Backup Plus from the backups, or fix a physically damaged disk with Seagate Rescue Data Recovery services. If not, you have to use a third-party data recovery software to recover lost or deleted files from a Seagate Backup Plus drive.

Common Reasons for Seagate Backup Plus Data Failure

These drives are generally reliable, but they’re not invincible. The problems usually fall into two buckets: logical failures and physical failures.

Logical failures are far more common and, thankfully, often fixable from home. These include things like accidental deletion, corrupted partitions, a corrupted file system, or a virus infection.
Physical failures are more serious and involve hardware issues like a faulty USB controller board, a damaged read/write head, or spindle motor failure. These often require a professional touch.

Now let's get your drive ready for its recovery operation.

Preparing for Seagate Backup Plus Data Recovery

  • If you've accidentally deleted files, stop what you're doing immediately. Do not save new files to or download anything onto the Seagate Backup Plus drive. Any new data could overwrite the space where your deleted files are still sitting, making them impossible to recover.
  • If the drive is making strange noises, power it down completely to prevent further physical damage.
  • For connection issues, try a different USB cable and a different USB port on your computer.

Then check the following things before recovery:

  • A working Windows or Mac computer.
  • Enough free space on your computer’s internal drive or another healthy external drive to save the recovered files. You must never recover files back onto the same drive from which you’re recovering.

Best Seagate Backup Plus Recovery Software- MyRecover

For logical failures such as deletion, formatting, and corruption, data recovery software is your most powerful tool. It works by deep-scanning the drive for traces of lost data and rebuilding the file structure.

To choose the right powerful Seagate data recovery software, check these characteristics:

Reputable. It's a reliable and comprehensive data recovery software that attracts millions of users.
High Success Rate. Up to 99% data recovery rate in the market.
Support a Wide Array of File Types: Can recover hundreds of different file formats.
Deep Scan: Goes beyond the surface to find files from formatted or severely corrupted drives.
File Preview: Allows you to see photos, documents, and video thumbnails before recovery.
User-Friendly Interface: The process shouldn’t require a degree in computer science.

Luckily, MyRecover is a standout option that ticks all these boxes, offering powerful scanning algorithms.

How to Recover Files from Seagate Backup Plus Fast?

MyRecover makes the process of "Seagate Backup Plus recover deleted files" surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect your Seagate Backup Plus drive, and make sure it can be detected. Download MyRecover and install it on your computer's hard drive.

2. Run MyRecover, and tap Deleted Files Recovery, hit Scan while pointing to the Seagate Backup Plus drive.

Tip: MyRecover will perform a quick scan. Or you can click Deep Scan if you did not find the files after the quick scan.

3. Once the scan is complete, hit OK. You can browse through the found files. Use the search function or filters to locate what you need. The preview pane lets you verify your files are intact.

4. Select the files and folders you want and click Recover.

5. Choose a safe destination on your computer’s internal drive or a different healthy external drive.

Tips:✎...
You can also recover files from an unbootable computer if required. 
Unlimited data recovery is available to you. 
Upgrading to MyRecover Technician is your best choice if you need to recover files from unlimited computers within your organization in the future.

Now, all these selected files have been recovered to the destination. Check them now.

MyRecover 
  • Recover Deleted Files Easily with Simple Clicks   
  • 1000+ File Formats Supported   
  • Support HDD, SSD, External Hard Drive, USB Drive, SD Card, etc.   
  • Quickly Find Files Using File Types, Name, Size, etc.
  • Preview Files Before Recovering
  • Recover Unlimited Data

Restore Seagate Backup Plus Deleted Files from Backups

If you have ever backed up files from Seagate Backup Plus using the Toolkit to an external hard drive, you can restore the deleted files from the backup. Here it is:

1.  Launch the Seagate Toolkit application on your computer.

2. On the Main Menu, click Restore.

3. Select the Backup plan you want to restore.

4. On the Restore screen, select the files and the version you want to restore. Click Next.

5. Select a destination to save these files.

Tip: By default, Toolkit will restore files to their original locations. If you want to restore files to a different location, use the sidebar and the content window to select a folder. You can always click Restore to Original Location to reset to the default location.

6. Click Restore.

The Toolkit will restore the files from the version you selected.

Advanced Recovery Methods for Severe Data Loss

If your drive is physically damaged or the Seagate external hard drive is not detected by the computer at all, it’s time to consider more advanced options.

If your computer doesn’t see the drive at all—It doesn’t show up in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac)—even after trying different cables and ports, the issue is likely physical. Your best course of action is to power it down and leave it off.

For physical damage, Seagate Rescue data recovery service or professional recovery labs are your only hope. These facilities have certified cleanrooms, specialized tools, and the expertise to repair drives and extract data directly from the platters physically.

Use your drive’s serial number to check if your drive is covered if you need Seagate rescue data recovery service. If covered, it's free; otherwise, you have to pay for that. Seagate will send a shipping label for you to send the drive to their lab, where they will attempt recovery and return your data on a new device within roughly 30 business days.

FAQs About Seagate Data Recovery

Q1: How much does it cost to recover files from a Seagate Backup Plus drive?
 
A1: Costs range from an affordable data recovery software license to over $1,500 for professional physical recovery in a cleanroom, depending on damage severity.
Q2: Can I recover files from a Seagate drive that is not being detected?
 
A2: No. If the drive isn't visible in Disk Management/Utility, it indicates physical damage. DIY software can't scan it; you need a professional recovery service.
Q3: Is it possible to recover data from a formatted Seagate Backup Plus drive?
 
A3: Yes, usually. Formatting often only erases the file index, not the data itself. Using deep-scan software like MyRecover quickly can successfully reconstruct files.
Q4: What is the success rate for Seagate Backup Plus data recovery?
 
A4: For logical issues (deletion, formatting), success is over 90% with good software. For physical damage, it varies. The biggest failure factor is overwriting data by continuing to use the drive.
Q5: How can I tell if my Seagate drive failure is logical or physical?
 
A5: Logical failure signs: drive is detected but has errors, missing files, or asks to format. Physical failure signs: not detected, makes odd noises, is very hot, or won't spin up.
Q6: Will recovering data void my Seagate warranty?
 
A6: Using software does not void the warranty. However, opening the drive enclosure yourself for a physical repair absolutely will void the warranty.

The Bottom Line

Data loss on your Seagate Backup Plus drive can feel overwhelming, but recovery is often achievable. For common logical failures like accidental deletion or formatting, third-party software like MyRecover offers a powerful, user-friendly solution with high success rates. For physical damage or undetected drives, professional recovery services are the only viable option, though costly.

Besides, it’s highly recommended to back up your files in case of data loss. Or you have to use a professional data recovery software to recover files from a formatted hard drive, an emptied recycle bin, a corrupted SD card, etc.

Delores · Editor
Delores is one of MyRecover's senior editors. She is knowledgeable in data recovery for phones and PCs as well as other solutions for data preservation. She enjoys assisting readers with issues related to disaster recovery and data corruption. She enjoys traveling, shopping, and other lovely pursuits.