How to Recover Overwritten Files On Mac [The Ultimate Guide]

Have you ever saved a file but accidentally replaced it? Many Mac users are in the same boat experiencing this issue, especially when they ignore the on-screen instructions that appear every time you make a move on Mac. Therefore, sometimes you delete an important file, replacing it with another one.

The good news is that erased data is possible to restore. Keep reading.

What Does Overwrite Mean?

When you overwrite a file, all the original information and content within that item will be permanently deleted and replaced with new data.

There are several scenarios when overwriting can occur on a Mac:

When you make changes to a file and save it. In this case, the application replaces the original item with the updated version. However, some applications offer features that allow you to recover previous versions of replaced files or directories.
Another situation is if you mistakenly save a file with a name already in use. Apps may notify you about this and give you the option to replace the existing file. If you proceed without such notification, the file will be treated as deleted.

Is it Possible to Recover Overwritten Files on Mac?

The short answer is “Yes.”

We recommend using Time Machine, iCloud, or a specialized Data Recovery Software for Mac like Stellar Data Recovery to do that. Scroll down to try any of these methods:

How to Recover Overwritten Files?

Once you realize you’ve lost data due to an overwrite, you can recover it using the options below.

I. How to Recover a Replaced File on Mac with Stellar Data Recovery Professional

When macOS replaces or appears to overwrite a file, it treats the file as if it were deleted. Therefore, the easiest and universal method is using specific recovering multiplatform software, like Stellar Data Recovery Professional. Its advantages are obvious. Here are just some of them:

Supports all file kinds, including documents and videos.
Rescues data from a broken Mac.
Restores data from damaged or unbootable USB devices, HD, or SSD.
Compatible with the most recent macOS versions.
Works with Macs with M1 processors.

Let’s see to recover lost files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional in just 6 intuitive steps:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac.

2. Open the Stellar Data Recovery Professional app.

3. Choose the file types you want to recover & click Next.

Note: You can recover everything or choose the specific file types.

4. Select the drive or location to recover data from & click Scan.

5. Preview the recoverable files and choose the ones needed to recover.

6. Check the needed files and click Recover to finish the process.

II. How to Restore Overwritten Files Using Time Machine

If you’re a pro user, you should know that it is important to back up your Mac on a regular basis. Time Machine, the backup and recovery tool included with macOS, simplifies safeguarding your data in this situation. You should have a copy of the original file in Time Machine unless it was created after your last backup.

Here’s how to access Time Machine:

Open the Time Machine from the System Settings > General.
Click Time Machine.

Choose the needed backup folder and follow the on-screen instructions.

III. How to Restore macOS in Recovery Mode (from Time Machine)

If you couldn’t find the needed file using Time Machine backups on your Mac, you may restore the whole macOS to retrieve the erased data.

Please note that opening the recovery mode differs depending on your Mac model.

If you are using the Intel-based Mac:

Restart your Mac.
Click and hold the Command + R keys.
When you see the macOS Utilities menu, select Restore From Time Machine Backup.

If you have a Mac with Apple Silicon:

Restart your Mac.
Press and hold the Power key on your Mac until you see the Loading Startup Options: gear and hard disk icon.
Choose the Gear icon and select Restore From Time Machine Backup.

Here is how to recover Mac from a backup:

Choose Restore From Time Machine Backup, and click Continue.

Select the backup disk and hit Continue.
Select a backup by date, then click Continue.
Choose the HD on your Mac and click Restore.
Restart your Mac when all steps are done.

IV. How to Recover Overwritten File on Mac Using Autosave?

macOS includes a feature that keeps every version of files when you open, revert, modify, or rename it.

Note: You can use it only with default Apple apps like Pages or Numbers.

If you edit and save changes in a file (for example, in the Pages app), you may restore almost every version of its lifespan. Do the following:

Open the file and select File from the menu bar.
Click Revert to andselect the needed saved item.

Wrapping Up

Now you know how to recover your files quickly and easily. A backup is one of the most reliable ways to recover overwritten files. If you haven’t regularly backed up your Mac, it’s time to start. Use the built-in Time Machine tool or look into alternatives like cloud-based or local backup programs. The solutions we’ve mentioned in our guide will help recover files disappeared from Mac with no panic.

Samantha Kindler

Samantha Kindler is a world traveler, with four continents conquered and three remaining. She lives in Hawaii, where she enjoys hiking and has the beach available to her throughout the year. She recently got the opportunity to spend over ten months in Korea and fell in love with their minimalist way of life. She has driven to 49 states with her father, but upon visiting Hawaii, she just wanted to stay.