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What’s happening?

After reinstalling Alter, you open the app and your chats, transcripts, or other local history are gone. This often happens after:
  • Using CleanMyMac or another uninstall utility
  • Removing the app and related support files
  • Downgrading by uninstalling first instead of replacing the app in Applications

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Why this happens

Alter data is local-only. There is no cloud history restore for chats, transcripts, or other local app data.
If an uninstall tool deletes Alter’s support files, it can remove the local database and transcript files along with the app.

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What you can check

  1. Open the local data location from Alter settings if the shortcut is still available.
  2. Check whether your Alter files are still present in ~/Library/Application Support/Alter.
  3. If you use Time Machine or another Mac backup, restore the missing Alter data from that backup.

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When recovery is unlikely

If the uninstall utility already removed the Alter support files and you do not have a separate backup, the missing chats and transcripts usually cannot be restored.

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How to avoid this next time

1

Do not uninstall before changing versions

Download the version you want from alterhq.com/changelog and replace the app in Applications.
2

Back up local data first

Copy your Alter data to another location or make sure your normal Mac backup is current.
3

Avoid cleanup uninstallers for troubleshooting

Use a simple app replacement first. Cleanup tools are best only when you want a full reset.