Apart from recovering the replaced files on your Mac with Time Machine backups, you can also use the APFS snapshots, cloud backup, and the undo feature within the software you're editing the files to recover the replaced files on your Mac.
Recovering the replaced files on a Mac is different from restoring deleted files. Although the original data is still stored on your Mac hard drive, it isn't in the Trash.
You can use Time Machine to restore your original files after modifying them with these steps:
- Connect your Time Machine external hard drive to your Mac.
- Open the folder where the original file stays and copy and paste it to your Mac.
And you can also use APFS snapshots to get back the original files once you've backed up your Mac with Time Machine or you've just updated your Mac.
- Click the Time Machine icon at the top Apple menu bar and select Enter Time Machine.
- Click the down and up arrows to find the snapshot point when your original file remains on your Mac.
- Select the original file and click Restore to recover it.