Question:

How can I restore overwritten save files on a Mac without backup?

I was playing a game made with RPG Maker and I wanted to switch between different save files. I moved the original save files from the game folder to another location, but they were actually copied instead of moved. Then I replaced the game folder with a new version, which corrupted the copied save files. I don’t have iCloud or Time Machine enabled, so I can’t use them to recover the original save files. I tried using Disk Drill, but it didn’t work. Is there any other way to get back my save files? I spent 7 hours on the game and I don’t want to lose my progress.

Answer:

If you have accidentally overwritten or corrupted your save files on a Mac, you might be wondering if there is any way to get them back. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a backup of your save files, such as iCloud or Time Machine, the chances of recovery are very slim. However, there are some possible solutions that you can try, depending on the situation.

Check the Trash Bin

The first thing you should do is check the Trash Bin on your Mac. Sometimes, when you move or delete files, they are not permanently erased, but moved to the Trash Bin. To access the Trash Bin, click on the icon in the Dock or go to Finder > Go > Trash. If you see your save files there, you can drag them back to the original location or right-click and choose Put Back.

Use a Data Recovery Software

If your save files are not in the Trash Bin, you can try using a data recovery software to scan your Mac for deleted or overwritten files. There are many data recovery software available for Mac, such as Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Stellar Data Recovery, etc. However, these software are not guaranteed to work, especially if the files have been overwritten by new data. To increase the chances of recovery, you should stop using your Mac as soon as possible and avoid saving or downloading anything new. Then, follow the instructions of the data recovery software to scan your Mac and look for your save files. If you find them, you can restore them to a different location.

Contact the Game Developer or Support

If none of the above methods work, you can try contacting the game developer or support team and explain your situation. They might be able to help you with some tips or tricks to recover your save files, or provide you with some alternative solutions. For example, they might have a cloud save feature that you can use to sync your progress, or they might have a way to edit your save files and change some parameters. You can also check the game’s official website, forum, or social media for any similar issues or solutions from other players.

Conclusion

Losing your save files can be very frustrating, especially if you have spent a lot of time and effort on the game. However, you should not lose hope, as there might be some ways to recover them. The best way to prevent this from happening again is to make regular backups of your save files, either using iCloud, Time Machine, or an external drive. This way, you can always restore your save files in case of any accidents or errors. We hope this article has helped you with your problem and wish you good luck with your game.