Guide

REFLO restore guide — why a mistake doesn’t have to be the end

REFLO Team2026. 7. 22. 오전 11:4612 min read

From checking which versions can be restored through restore as a new file, overwrite, and undo restore — how to bring a file back to an earlier state safely.

An accidental overwrite, a wrong direction, “yesterday’s version was better” — the biggest reason to use REFLO is Restore. Pick a moment on the timeline, and you can bring the file back looking exactly like that.

And restore itself is safe. REFLO automatically backs up the current file just before restoring, so if you restore by mistake you can undo it. This guide is for using restore for the first time.

What this guide covers

On the History screen (shortcut ⌘2), you pick a version to restore, restore with one of two methods (new file / overwrite), and undo restore if you need to. Restore from the Photoshop and Illustrator panels is included.

Before you start

You need a protected folder and save records. (If you’re new, start with the timeline guide.)
When you select a version on the timeline, whether it can be restored is shown.

Restore copy — a version ready to restore.
Record only — only the fact of a save is recorded; there is no restore copy. You can’t restore.
Preparing snapshot… — a restore copy is being created. Check again in a moment.

On the Free plan, opening or restoring a version older than about 14 days shows “Versions older than 14 days can be opened on Pro.”

Running restore — the basic flow

On the timeline, select the version (dot) you want to go back to. If you’re unsure, Compare with the current file first. (Compare guide)
Click Restore, or pick a method on the restore card.
When the Restore from this save record window opens, check the destination (file name, time, size). The window also says “The current file is backed up automatically just before restore.”
Click Run restore. (While the window is open, ⌘R or Enter also runs it.)

Two restore methods

| Method | What happens | When to use it | |---|---|---| | Restore as new file (recommended) | Leaves the current file alone and creates a new file named filename (restored …) in the same folder as the original | Most cases. When you want the original and the restore copy side by side to compare and choose | | Overwrite current file (caution) | Replaces the current file with that moment’s contents | When you must keep the original file path |

Restore as new file then switches the view to the new restore copy’s timeline.

Overwrite current file has one extra step.

With the warning “Caution: the current file will be overwritten,” you must turn on “I understand the overwrite risk, and I want to restore” before it will run.
If that file is open in Photoshop or similar, we recommend saving and closing it first.

> If you’re not sure which to pick, use Restore as new file. The original stays, so nothing can go badly wrong.

After restore finishes

On the Restore complete card you can continue right away.

Open restore copy — open the restored file immediately.
Show in Finder / Copy path — check where the file is.

If you want to undo restore

Don’t worry even if you overwrote. The state just before restore was auto-backed up; Undo restore writes that backup back. As the on-screen hint says — “Undo restore overwrites again with the version that was auto-backed up just before restore.”

The auto-backup created just before overwrite stays on the timeline as a risky-action protection record, so you can find it later too.

Restore still works in cases like these

Formats or large files with no preview — preview and restore are separate. Even if you see “This file is large, so preview was skipped,” restore can still go ahead.
You deleted the file itself — even if the file is gone from the folder, if a restore copy remains in history you can create a new file from that moment.
Network drives such as NAS or WebDAV — restore is supported, but as the on-screen hint says, “It can take several minutes depending on file size and the network.” In that case, auto-backup before restore and undo restore may not be available, so proceed carefully.

When a pre-restore check appears

Formats that need a font or linked-asset check may show a Pre-restore check step just before restore. Scan the missing fonts and assets list, then continue.

Restore from the Photoshop · Illustrator panel

You can use the same restore from the plugin panel.

In the panel’s save records, pick a version and click Restore.
In the Restore to this version window, choose Restore as new file (recommended — a copy next to the original) or Overwrite current file. The “current file is backed up automatically just before restore” note is the same.
Overwrite restore from Photoshop closes the open document and reopens the restored file.

The REFLO Mac app must be running for panel restore to work.

What changes by plan (summary)

Confirm details on the pricing page and in the app.

| Item | Free | Pro | |---|---|---| | Restorable period | Versions from about the last 14 days | Open and restore with no time limit | | Restore as new file / overwrite | Available (within the period) | Available | | Auto-backup before restore and undo | Available | Available |

FAQ

Does restore throw away what I was working on?

No. Restore as new file never touches the original, and overwrite restore auto-backs up the current file first. If it went wrong, Undo restore brings you back.

It says “Record only,” so I can’t restore

That version only recorded that a save happened; there is no restore copy. Find a nearby version with a Restore copy badge and restore from that.

Preview doesn’t appear. Can I still restore?

Yes. Depending on format and size, preview may be skipped on its own. If the restorable indicator is there, restore works normally.

I overwrote by mistake

Click Undo restore on the restore-complete screen (or in activity). It overwrites again with the auto-backup from just before restore and returns to the previous state.

New file or overwrite — which should I pick?

If you’re unsure, Restore as new file. The original stays, and you can compare with the restore copy and keep the one you like. Use overwrite only when you must keep the file path.