Backing up your Mac regularly with Time Machine is a smart move that can save you from a lot of headaches in the long run. Not only can you restore older versions of files, but you can also recover deleted ones. Here’s how to access Time Machine and restore a specific item from a backup.
First, click on the Time Machine icon in your menu bar at the top right of your Mac screen. Next, select “Enter Time Machine” from the drop-down menu and navigate to where you last saved the item you want to restore. Let’s say you want to recover a deleted file from your Documents folder.
If you don’t remember where the item was last saved, you can search for it by name, phrase, or date by typing it into the search field in the upper right corner of Time Machine. You can search your entire Mac backup or select a specific folder to narrow your search.
Time Machine lets you browse through older versions of files, including deleted ones, so you can find and restore what you’re looking for. You’ll see a timeline on the right edge of your screen that shows backups as they were at a specific date and time, or you can use the arrows to browse through your backups one at a time.
When you find what you’re looking for, select it. You can press the space bar to preview it and confirm that it’s the one you want to recover. Then, click “Restore” to bring it back to its original location so you can continue to use it.
Rolling back time with Time Machine is a powerful tool that every Mac user should know how to use. By following these simple steps, you can restore deleted files and recover older versions of important documents, photos, and more.
To learn more about how to use your Mac, visit the Apple Support website or check out other helpful resources online.