How to Recover a Deleted .afdesign File

Updated on Oct 20, 2026 | by Qiling

Quick Navigation:

Locate the Native Affinity File
Protect the Original Drive
Recover With Qiling Deep Data Recovery
Verify the Recovered Project
Frequently Asked Questions

An .afdesign file is an editable project. Exported PNG, PDF or SVG copies can help compare the artwork but may not preserve all native layers and effects.

Locate the Native Affinity File

Search the project folder, Recycle Bin, cloud version history and any manual backup. Record the last good save date and expected artboards.

Check whether placed images are embedded or linked from other folders. A recovered project may open with missing assets if their paths changed.

Affinity documents can contain embedded resources or links to images and other documents. The Resource Manager can distinguish a missing linked source from a damaged .afdesign file, so inspect that status on a copy.

If the project lived in cloud-synced storage, check version history and ensure the file was actually available locally before scanning. A recovered native file with missing linked assets may still be usable after those assets are located.

Protect the Original Drive

Avoid creating another design with the deleted filename on the source drive. Pause exports to that drive.

Prepare separate physical output storage and preserve any existing exports for comparison.

Recover With Qiling Deep Data Recovery

Qiling Deep Data Recovery provides a visual scan of storage that Windows can detect. In this case, scan the stable local disk that held the AFDESIGN; cloud-only versions require the provider's history. A listed file is only a candidate until you open and verify its recovered copy.

Step 1. Check Versions and Exports

Look for native backups and cloud history. Use exports only as references to the intended artwork.

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Step 2. Choose File-Deletion Mode

Use Fast Scan for recent deletion or Recycle Bin Scan after an emptied bin. Disk Scan fits a lost project partition.

Step 3. Select the Original Disk

Match the physical drive that stored the native file by model and capacity.

Step 4. Compare AFDESIGN Results

Filter by .afdesign and compare dates and sizes. Keep multiple plausible revisions.

Step 5. Recover and Inspect a Copy

Save to another disk, open a duplicate in Affinity Designer, and check artboards, layers, effects and linked images.

Verify the Recovered Project

If an export looks correct but the recovered native file lacks layers, do not replace a valid older project without checking both.

Back up the native project and any linked assets together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an exported PDF replace the native project?

It can preserve appearance but may not retain every editable layer or effect.

Why are placed images missing?

They may be linked files with changed paths; locate their originals.

How do I know the recovered file is complete?

Open a copy and inspect every artboard and critical layer.