How to Recover Unsaved or Deleted Photoshop Files on Mac

Adobe Photoshop has powerful features that make it a must-have tool for most graphic designers. However, losing important designs due to human error or software malfunction is common. If you are facing such a problem, then continue reading this article. Here, we will provide multiple methods to recover unsaved, deleted, or lost Photoshop files on Mac.

Why Losing PSD Files Happens

Understanding why you lost your Photoshop file can often guide you toward the best recovery method. Several common scenarios lead to data loss:

Although other reasons may lead to losing your PSD files, but you can still recover unsaved/deleted Photoshop files on Mac if you take quick action.

Immediate Steps to Take After Photoshop File Loss

When you realize you've lost a file, please stop using your Mac to maximize your chances of recovering Mac Photoshop. Continued use can overwrite the space where the PSD lost file is stored.

How to Recover Unsaved Photoshop Files on Mac

Have you lost your unsaved designs due to unexpected circumstances? This section offers various ways to help you get them back.

Way 1. Restart Application

This is the quickest way to restore unsaved Photoshop files on Mac if you have lost your work in progress due to a Photoshop crash. To do this, you need to reopen this app and resave the [File Name + Recovered] PSD file that appears, like the screenshot.

Way 2. From the AutoSave Folder

Like other large programs like Office and Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop also automatically saves your work regularly to avoid losing important progress due to unexpected crashes or system failures. Therefore, you can follow the steps below to recover unsaved PSD files on Mac.

1. Launch Finder from your dock.
2. Click on Go > Go to Folder in the top menu.

3. Type the following path: "~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop {version}/AutoRecover". Replace {version} with your specific Photoshop version, such as CS6, CC 2019, etc.
4. look for files with a .psb extension in the open folder.
5. Double-click the Photoshop file you suspect you have unsaved based on its name or size to check its contents.
6. Once you find an unsaved Photoshop file, immediately save it with a new name to prevent further data loss.

Tip: Photoshop's autosave will save your open project regularly without manual intervention. If you want to change its frequency to protect your PSD file better, you can use the following method:

1. Open Photoshop and go to Preferences > File Handling.
2. Check the box that says Automatically Save Recovery Information Every [x] Minutes.

Way 3. Use Recovery Software

When AutoSave doesn't work, using professional recovery software for Mac will be an effective solution. Such tools are suitable for almost all data loss situations. Here, you can try iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac.

Steps to Recover Unsaved Photoshop Files on Mac

1. Download and install it on your Mac.

2. Select the drive where the unsaved PSD is located and click "Search for lost files."
3. After the scan is complete, click "Type > Unsaved Documents" on the left panel.

4. Click .psd at the top of the file list page to filter other types of files.
5. Select your unsaved Photoshop Files and click Recover to save them.

Way 4. From the "Open Recent" option

Although this method of finding unsaved PSD files on Mac is not necessarily reliable, it is still worth a try. To check the changes, you just need to reopen Adobe Photoshop and click on File in the top menu. Then, go to Open Recent and open the unsaved project.

Way 5. Check the Temporary Files Folder

This folder usually stores the system and program temporary files. When your program has problems, checking these items can also help you recover unsaved Photoshop files on Mac.

1. Open the Terminal application from Applications > Utilities.
2. In the Terminal window, type open $TMPDIR and press Enter.

3. Find the unsaved PSD file and copy it to a new location.
4. Drag it into Photoshop to open it and resave it.

Note: The effectiveness of this method can vary as the system often deletes temporary files automatically. However, this method still works to recover unsaved Word Document on Mac. To do this, you need to search for .doc/docx files.

How to Recover Deleted/Lost Photoshop Files on Mac

Losing important designs unexpectedly is a nightmare for anyone who works in creative fields. However, in most cases, you can try these methods to recover PSD files on a Mac.

Way 1. Check the Trash

If you accidentally delete a useful design without using the "Option + Command + Delete" keys while organizing your Photoshop project, then you can open the Trash to find the one you need and drag it back to its original location.

Way 2. Use the Time Machine for Photoshop File Recovery

It is a powerful backup tool built into macOS. If you regularly back up your Mac, retrieving a lost Photoshop file can be straightforward:

1. Connect your Time Machine backup drive.
2. Open Finder and go to the folder where your PSD file was stored.
3. Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and choose Enter Time Machine.
4. Browse through the backups to find the version of the file you need.

5. Click Restore to recover the Photoshop file to its original location.

Way 3. From Adobe Creative Cloud

If you have Adobe Creative Cloud to sync your designs, then to recover deleted Photoshop files on Mac will be easy. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Adobe Creative Cloud website or the desktop app.
2. Sign in with your Adobe ID and password.

3. Navigate to the Files > Deleted.
4. Browse the list of deleted files to find your missing Photoshop document.
5. Select the file you need and click the Restore icon to save your file.

Way 4. From Other Cloud Storage Backups

If you use another cloud storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive, you can also use the Version History feature to find lost Photoshop files:

1. Log in to your cloud storage account.
2. Navigate to the folder where your file was stored.
3. Look for a Version History option and browse older versions for recovery.

Way 5. Try Third-Party Recovery Software

When the above methods to restore deleted or lost PSD files on Mac fail, third-party software can help you. Here, you can still use iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac. To complete this, you just need to follow the built-in wizard.

Other Options for PSD Recovery on Mac

1. PhotoRec

   It is a freeware option known for its capability to recover lost/deleted Photoshop files on a Mac. While it lacks some advanced features found in paid software, its effectiveness in recovery makes it a good choice for those on a budget.

2. Disk Drill

   It is another highly-rated software. Its robust scanning algorithms ensure high success rates in retrieving deleted or corrupted Photoshop files on Mac.

3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

   It excels at retrieving data from hard drives and other storage media. Its deep scan feature ensures the thorough recovery of lost PSD files on Mac, making it a valuable asset for graphic designers and photographers.

Best Practices to Prevent Losing Work in Photoshop

While recovery options are plentiful, prevention is always better. Here are some tips to avoid future PSD file loss:

• 🕒 Change the auto-save interval according to your needs to protect your design better.
• 💾 Save Frequently during your work sessions.
• 🎏 Regularly Back Up your work using Time Machine or another backup solution.
• 📤 Use Cloud Storage to sync your files automatically.
• 🔋 Invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to guard against power failures.

Conclusion

PSD file loss can be distressing, but remember that there are multiple ways to recover unsaved or deleted Photoshop files on Mac. Acting promptly after experiencing a problem with your project increases the chances of getting your valuable work.

In addition, it is crucial to take preventive measures. To safeguard your progress during editing sessions, please perform manual saves frequently. As additional precautions, utilize backup solutions like Time Machine or Adobe Creative Cloud.

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