How can a user recover deleted files on macOS?

To recover deleted files on macOS, using the Trash or Time Machine backup is a highly effective method. When a file is deleted in macOS, it typically moves to the Trash, where it remains until the Trash is emptied. Users can easily open the Trash, locate the deleted file, and restore it to its original location with just a few clicks.

In addition to the Trash, Time Machine provides a robust backup solution that regularly saves copies of files and system states. If the deleted file isn't found in the Trash, users can launch Time Machine to restore previous versions of files or recover files that were deleted before being backed up in the Trash. This feature is invaluable for maintaining data integrity and easily retrieving lost files.

The other options, while they may have their uses, do not provide the most straightforward or reliable methods for file recovery on macOS as effectively as the Trash and Time Machine do. Accessing the download folder generally will not help unless the file was directly downloaded there and subsequently deleted. Third-party recovery applications can sometimes recover lost files, but they may not be necessary or effective in all cases and can present risks. Lastly, restarting in safe mode is not a file recovery method; it is primarily used for troubleshooting system issues.