How to recover a replaced file in Google Drive

Problem

You need to recover a file that that was replaced in Google Drive.

Environment

  • Google Drive

Solution

A file that has been replaced cannot be recovered, however you can try the following workaround: 
  1. Make sure that is not a Google file.
  2. Use the history option in the Google Drive web as described in Tools  Find what's changed in a file section.
  3. Check for older versions of the history of that file as described in How to view other kinds of files  Check activity & file versions section.
  4. Check for previous links to search with the document ID.
  5. Check your local computer for older versions.

Cause

The file was replaced in the Google Drive web without making a backup.