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Need some help to recover replaced files on my mac.

I have a MacBook Air running macOS Ventura. Today, I was copying some word documents and excel files from external drive to my Mac. I knew there are a few duplicates and my Mac reminded me about. Unfortunately, I clicked the wrong button and the files are replaced.


My question is how to recover replaced files on mac? I tried to find the replaced files from iCloud but they are not there. Does anyone know how to solve this? Is the chance high for replaced file recovery on Mac?


MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Dec 17, 2024 1:02 AM

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5 replies

Dec 17, 2024 1:34 AM in response to Nccchhi

If you’re using Time Machine (which you totally should), check if you have a backup for the replaced file. It’s like having a personal safety net! To recover replaced files on Mac, just go to the folder where the file was, open Time Machine from the menu bar, and you can scroll back in time to find that file before it got replaced!


Dec 18, 2024 12:59 AM in response to Nccchhi

Do you have time machine backup? If yes, then you can recover replaced files on Mac from the backup.


Recovering replaced or overwritten files on Mac using Time Machine is a straightforward process. Time Machine automatically backs up your entire system, allowing you to restore individual files or entire folders to previous versions. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you recover replaced files on mac:


  1. Click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar at the top-right of your screen. It looks like a clock with a circular arrow.
  2. Select Enter Time Machine from the dropdown menu.
  3. Once in the Time Machine interface, you'll see a Finder-like window with your current files.
  4. Use the timeline on the right side of the screen to navigate to the date when the file was in the desired state.
  5. Select the file and press the Spacebar to preview its contents. This helps ensure you've selected the correct version before restoring.
  6. Select the file or folder you want to restore.
  7. Click the "Restore" button at the bottom of the Time Machine window.


After restoring, navigate to the location of the restored file to ensure it has been successfully recovered to its previous state.

Dec 17, 2024 2:40 AM in response to Nccchhi

Recovering replaced files on Mac using Time Machine? If you go back to an earlier version of a file, you’ll lose all the changes made after that point. For instance, if you’ve edited a document substantially and then realize you need the previous version, you’ll have to re-do all those edits. I’ve been there, and it’s annoying!


If the file you want to recover is corrupted in the backup, it may not return to its original glory. I’ve had a few moments where what I thought was a solid backup turned out to be a dud, so always double-check the recovered file.

Dec 18, 2024 1:25 AM in response to Nccchhi

It is quite challenging to recover replaced files on a Mac without a backup can be challenging, especially if the original files have been overwritten. However, you can try several methods to potentially recover replaced files on a Mac. Here are some options:


1. Check the Trash: Before trying more complex recovery methods, check if the replaced file (the original version) is still in the Trash. Open the Trash by clicking its icon in the Dock. Look for your replaced file. If found, right-click and choose Put Back to restore it to its original location.


2. Use Terminal to Check for Previous Versions: If you have replaced the file but saved it in the same location, you might be able to access older versions using the Terminal.


ls -l ".DocumentRevisions-V100"


This may give you access to document revisions, but it’s primarily for newer file types like Pages, TextEdit, etc.


Important Note:


Stop Using the Drive: If potential file recovery is needed, minimize using the drive where the replaced files were located to prevent overwriting data.


Regular Backups: For future reference, consider using Time Machine or another backup solution to prevent data loss.


While recovering overwritten or replaced files is not guaranteed, trying these options may help recover your important data.


Need some help to recover replaced files on my mac.

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