Setting
Last updated on
Oct. 28, 2025
Learn about the quick save, auto-backup, and recovery settings in Adobe Illustrator that help you save files faster and minimize data loss during a crash.
Note
For a faster and more reliable file save and recovery experience, update to Illustrator 30.0 and ensure you meet the requirements.
Settings
Select Illustrator > Settings > File Handling (macOS) or Edit > Preferences > File Handling (Windows) to access the settings:
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Function |
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Automatically Save Recovery Data Every |
Automatically backs up your files at the time interval you select in the dropdown menu. Backup files won’t overwrite your original files. A short time interval may interrupt your flow, and a long interval may increase the risk of data loss during a crash. So, select an interval that works best for you. In Illustrator 30.0, this setting is turned off by default as Save in Background controls both quick save and auto-backup. |
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Choose |
Allows you to select a location different from the default one to save the backup files. Ensure that you have read and write permissions on the folder and that it's not network-mounted. |
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Turn off Data Recovery for complex documents |
Prevents the automatic backup of complex files. Otherwise, Illustrator may pause when backing up complex files and interrupt your workflow. |
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Automatically Save Cloud Documents Every |
Automatically saves your Illustrator cloud documents at the time interval you select in the dropdown menu. |
For the new auto-backup and recovery experience to work, ensure that you:
- Update Illustrator to version 30.0.
- Turn on Save in Background from the settings.
- Save your Illustrator files with compatibility set to Illustrator 2020 (applies to local documents and not cloud documents).
- Don't have third-party plugins or content in Illustrator.
- Don't have Live Paint, Shape Builder, or Freeform Gradient content in your files.
