After updating MacOS numbers (Jan 2026) it has deleted my 'recent files' - how to get them back?

adolfgarlic wrote:

First up, I never wanted this studio creator thing, I just wanted the latest version of Numbers - I have no interest in Studio Creator or ongoing subscriptions related to it.

Secondly, 'recent files' is an intelligent feature? It's been a standard feature in most normal desktop apps for 20+ years.

This is a bug, this is broken. I want to see my recent files.

The recent files from the old version are not seen in the Open Recent menu in the new version.

That may be unfortunate, but it DOES NOT MEAN they were deleted. The files are still wherever they were before. You just need to either Open them from the application, or by double-clicking them in Finder.

The Open Recent menu in the new version will populate as you open files.

The Open Recent list is in a database support file for the app and when we went to the new version that particular file with the recents was deleted and replaced with a new file. The Files in the old app's Open Recent are, as you've been told, are still in their original locations on your drive(s). To open them the first time search for them by name or partial name in Spotlight.

Recent files is not a location or copies of files, it's pointers to files that were recently accessed, so unless numbers somehow deleted files on your harddrive then recent files will begin to show files you access from now on.

adolfgarlic wrote:

First up, I never wanted this studio creator thing, I just wanted the latest version of Numbers - I have no interest in Studio Creator or ongoing subscriptions related to it.

A - Nor to I what to Subscribe to "studio creator thing, ". I downloaded each of the 15.1 versions of Number, Pages and Keynote outside of the " studio creator thing, "

Secondly, 'recent files' is an intelligent feature? It's been a standard feature in most normal desktop apps for 20+ years.

A - Hum, intelligent feature ? What is that ?

This is a bug, this is broken. I want to see my recent files.

A - On this, we will need to agree not to agree

Refer back to posting by @ Rudegar and quote in case that may have been missed that sometimes happens

" Recent files is not a location or copies of files, it's pointers to files that were recently accessed, so unless numbers somehow deleted files on your harddrive then recent files will begin to show files you access from now on."

That method certainly work on my 3 M-class computer each running Tahoe 26.2 and the 15.1 Versions of Number, Pages and Keynote

FYI and perhaps useless information

Once the three newer Number, Pages and Keynote were installed

I had 3 Older 14.5 of each of those applications still installed

Decided I would stay with the 15.1 version so I Uninstall the 14.5 versions

Regained about 1.5 to 2 GB of Empty Space on the drive

The v15.1 releases of Pages, Numbers, or Keynote have their own Recents entries based on documents opened and saved in these applications. This is entirely separate from Open Recent references in the v14.4 applications.

Re-read my post. Numbers v15.1 records its Recent saved documents. It does not incorporate previous Open Recents from the previous version of Numbers, which are unique to that application.

adolfgarlic wrote:

Secondly, 'recent files' is an intelligent feature? It's been a standard feature in most normal desktop apps for 20+ years.

This is a bug, this is broken. I want to see my recent files.

these forums are user helping other users like yourself, it's sort of going

to a physical apple store and asking other customers their advice

noone here are in a position to do anything apart from shareing our knowledge to the best of our ability.

if you wish to complain to apple you can use their feedback channels

Product Feedback - Apple

or reach out to their official support channels

Get Support (apple.com)

And or

Contact - Official Apple Support

And or

Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

Or

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Yet me try this " recent files "missing ' issue a different way

When the 15.1 version of Numbers was downloaded and installed

Did it UpGrade or Replace the existing 14.5 version of Numbers ?

As outlined earlier, the answer was NO

So based upon that information and personal observations and experiences ( 3 machines )

It would seem logical that once you open the New 15.1 Version of Numbers

There would be No Carryover of Recently Opened and used dot numbers files

Does that make sense ?

adolfgarlic wrote:

I opened and used files in Numbers, I could see in the Numbers "File - Recent Files" all these files. Never had an issue.

Now I upgrade to this version that has a load of advertising for 'creator studio' and so on and suddenly all the files that were in 'recent files' are not there. I did not move these files.

Specifically, to get the Full Featured Pages, Numbers, Keynote and some other Apple Application.

A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium content" in apps like Pixelmator Pro, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and later Freeform.

Thanks to @ P_NG for this additional information I did not know about at that time

Pages, Numbers and Keynote remain free for the “basic” functions.Instead of install the all Studio suite, Install the three apps individually from the app store.