[2025 Solved] 4 Methods to Recover Overwritten Files on Mac

Recovering overwritten files on Mac can be challenging but not always impossible. When you overwrite a file, the old data is essentially erased and replaced with new information. This makes it difficult for recovery software to pinpoint and retrieve the original data. However, with the right tools and methods, you might still be able to restore some or even all of your lost files. This guide will explore some effective methods for recovering overwritten files on your Mac and provide valuable tips to increase your chances of success.

Recover Overwritten Files on Mac

Method 1. How to Recover Overwritten Files on Mac [No Backup]

If you want to directly find overwritten files on your Mac without any proper backup, the first and best method is turnning to Aiseesoft Data Recovery for help. Thanks to the wide support of file types and formats, this professional Mac data recovery software can recover multiple files from a hard disk, SD card, or other connected digital devices selectively. Thus, there is no need to worry about your overwritten file restore on Mac. Even though you have no experience of Mac overwritten file recovery, you can get your overwritten files back within a few steps here.

• Recover overwritten or replaced videos, music files, documents (Word/Excel/PowerPoint), emails, photos, etc.

• Retrieve overwritten files from Mac, PC, memory card, flash drive, hard drive, digital camera camcorder, and other removable drives.

• Extract overwritten Mac files via Quick Scan and Deep Scan mode with fast scanning speed.

• Search and filter any overwritten file on Mac with the detailed preview window.

• The Mac overwritten file recovery software works with Mac 10.7 and above (macOS Sequoia included).

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Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to recover overwritten files on Mac.

Step 1.
Download this program by button above, and launch it. In the main interface, select the file type or disk location to find where your overwritten files could be. Then, click Scan.
Scan Mac
Step 2.
When the scan finishes, you can view the scanning result by selecting Path List to locate what you want exactly. Besides, you can try the Deep Scan feature to take more time to get a Mac data scan completely.
Deep Scan Mac
Step 3.
Hit the Recover button at the bottom-left corner to restore the replaced files to your Mac soon.

Remember that you had better not save the recovered files in the original location. Otherwise, you may suffer from another data overwritten issue. This also matters when you recover deleted files from a Mac.

Method 2. How to Recover Accidentally Replaced Files on Mac with Time Machine

If you have backed up Mac files with Time Machine regularly, you can recover overwritten files on Mac for free. Just make sure the Time Machine backup contains your overwritten Mac files.

Step 1.
Plug the Time Machine backup disk to your Mac. Choose the Time Machine icon on the top toolbar. Then select "Enter Time Machine" from its drop-down list.
Step 2.
Browse and select the Time Machine backup that matches the date for Mac data overwritten. You can use arrow keys to move up or down.
Step 3.
Double-click a file or folder to have a check. Choose the file you want to get back. At last, click "Restore" to recover overwritten files on Mac with a previous version. Sooner, you can find the recovered files in the original location.

You are able to get to know more details about restoring Mac from Time Machine backup.

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Method 3. How to Recover Overwritten Files from Flash Drive on Mac

Overwriting files on a flash drive can also feel like a data disaster. While completely recovering overwritten data isn't always guaranteed, there is a method to try and get back your lost information.

Step 1.
Stop using the flash drive immediately to prevent any new data from overwriting the remaining traces of the lost files.
Step 2.
Download and install a data recovery tool, for example, the Aiseesoft Data Recovery we mentioned above.
Step 3.
Connect your flash drive to the Mac and launch Data Recovery to start the scan.
Step 4.
Select the proper replaced files that you want to recover, and hit the recover button to restore them all.
Recover Overwritten Files from Flashdrive Mac

Method 4. How to Retrieve Replaced Files on Mac using iCloud Backups

If Time Machine on your Mac is not enabled, iCloud Backup can also be an approach you could try. Apple’s iCloud Drive or other cloud services can save your files’ historical versions so that you can recover them quickly and easily. But before recovery, please ensure ensure iCloud Drive and File Versions are enabled in your iCloud settings on your Mac. Here are simple steps to recover overwritten files through iCloud backup.

Step 1.
Use your Apple ID to log in to iCloud.com. and navigate to the Files app within iCloud.com.
Step 2.
Find the folder where the overwritten file was located. Find the file name that you want to recover.
Step 3.
Hover over the file name and click the three dots (⋮) that appear. Then, choose Show Version.

Browse the available versions of the file. You can usually see timestamps associated with each version, making it easier to find the one you need.

Step 4.
Select the desired version. Click “Restore” to download the older version of the file to your Mac.
Recover Overwritten Files from iCloud Backup

FAQs of Recovering Replaced Files on Mac

How to recover an overwritten Excel file on Mac?

Open the overwritten Excel file and go to File > Info > Manage Workbook. Select Recover Unsaved Workbooks from the drop-down menu. Then, locate and open the unsaved file. At last, save the recovered file with a new name.

Can I recover overwritten files on macOS X?

Yes, you can attempt to recover overwritten files on macOS X, although success isn't guaranteed. The built-in Version History app and Time Machine feature can both help you solve this.

How to recover overwritten Word files on a Mac?

Enable the Time Machine backup, open it. Then, Browse through your backups to find a version of the Word file from before it was overwritten. Restore the older version of the file.

Conclusion

Honestly, you can get high success rates in recovering overwritten files on Mac by using Aiseesoft Data Recovery. It is a user-friendly and powerful data recovery software for Mac. Both beginners and professionals should not miss this program. Besides, many people can try to have the Time Machine backup, or iCloud Backup for recovery as these methods often contain limitations.

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