How to Recover Overwritten Files from Mac

Even the most careful of Mac users does a few mistakes here and there. When the mistake is simple like deleting a file, then there is even a simpler solution- getting it back from the Trash. However, things are not always that simple, and when you overwrite files on a Mac- then it begins to get a little tough.

A few scenarios where something like this could happen include:

These are just a few of the common scenarios that may occur. When this happens, your files are not even in the Trash- does this indicate that they are not recoverable now? Well, you need not worry, for they are still in your Mac, and you can recover overwritten files on Mac using a simple in-built utility.

Part 1: Recover Overwritten Files from Mac Time Machine

Time Machine is a built-in software that comes with all Mac PCs. It is a simple to use utility that can help you get back your data on Mac with ease. Time Machine regularly backs up the selected data on your Mac, which is what makes it possible to recover overwritten files on Mac.

In order to use Time Machine for getting back those files, here is what you have to do.

Before you begin using Time Machine

Before you make use of time machine to recover overwritten files on Mac, you will need to check if this feature is switched on in your Mac. If it is no on, then click on the button to switch on Time Machine in your Mac.

Step 1: Start Time Machine

The first thing that you need to do is start Time Machine. For this, go to the Time Machine Menu on the top bar of your Mac, and click on Enter Time Machine. You can also click on the Time Machine option present in the Dock.

Step 2: Finding the particular files and folders

From this screen, you have to select the files/folders that you are looking to recover. You can even search for particular files that you think were overwritten, and recover the ones that you require. Once you have selected the desired files, click on Restore and you will have your files back in no time!

Thus, in just these few steps, you will get back your files in Mac using time machine.

However, the issue with this method is that you must have enabled backups via Time Machine in order to recover overwritten files Mac through this procedure. However, not everybody is as familiar with Time Machine, and if you have not done this- then worry not- it is quite a common situation. This does not mean that you cannot get back your files, for there is better Mac data recovery software that you can use in such a scenario.


Part 2: Recover Overwritten Files from Mac with Wondershare data recovery for mac

Wondershare Data Recovery is an excellent software to recover overwritten files Mac. Some of the features that make it one of the best choices for getting back your overwritten files on Mac include:

best data recovery software
  • Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely and completely.
  • Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera and camcorders.
  • Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, hard drive corruption, virus attack, system crash under different situations.
  • Preview before recovery allows you to make a selective recovery.
  • Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 Yosemite, 10.10, 10.11 El Capitan, 10.12 Sierra) on iMac, MacBook, Mac Pro etc.
3981454 people have downloaded it

Let us now go ahead and see what you need to do to recover overwritten files Mac with ease.

Step 1: Select the file type

To recover file from Mac, you can go to select the specific file type or click option "All File Types" to start lost file recovery.

recover overwritten files

Step 2: Selecting the drive/location

Select the particular drive or partition where the files were before they resided prior to being overwritten. Once you have done that, click on Scan to recover overwritten files Mac.

recover overwritten files on Mac

Step 3: Deep scan recovery

It will start quick scan first. If it can't find your lost files, you can go to deep scan which will deeply scan your overwritten files.

deep scan overwritten files

Step 4: Preview recovered files and recover

After scanning, you can preview recovered files and click "Recover" to save.

recover overwritten files


Part 3: Tips for Recover Overwritten Files on Mac

Thus, now that you know the best ways to recover overwritten files on Mac, any such situations in the future should not cause you too much trouble. However, even with an extremely efficient Mac data recovery software like Wondershare Data Recovery, there a few things that you must take care of to make recovery smoother and more successful, such as:

All you have to do is take care of simple things like these, and you will be able to make the most of the Mac data recovery software to recover overwritten files Mac with ease!

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