File Corruption & Recovery

Fix Word for Mac Cannot Open or Recover a Missing Document

WPS Content Manager Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is attempting to open or recover a missing Word document on a Mac but encounters an unreadable content error when opening a temporary file starting with '~$.'

How to Fix Word for Mac Cannot Open or Recover a Missing Document

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Trying to recover a lost or corrupted Word document that was originally saved on another Mac and was not synced to OneDrive.
Observed behavior: Word displays an unreadable content error for a ~$ temporary file and fails to recover the document, as the ~$ file is merely a lock file and lacks the actual document data.

Before you start

Confirm whether the document was actually saved locally on your Mac or another person's Mac, as files starting with '~$' are temporary owner lock files that do not contain your actual document text.

Solution 1Recommended

Search for the Original File and Check Mac Backups

Locate the actual document instead of the ~$ lock file by checking common recovery locations on the Mac where the file was originally created.

Since the ~$ file is not the real document, your priority should be finding the original .docx file. If the document was saved on a different Mac, you must perform these checks on that specific computer.

Check the Trash Bin

Open the Trash on the Mac where the file was originally saved to see if the document was accidentally deleted. If found, right-click and select 'Put Back'.

Locate AutoRecover Files

Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, and enter '~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery' to see if an automatic backup exists.

Check Email Attachments

If the document was shared between Macs, check your email Outbox, Sent folder, or Downloads folder for the original transmitted file.

Restore from Time Machine

If Time Machine was actively enabled on the original Mac, launch Time Machine from the menu bar and navigate to the folder where the document was last seen to restore it.

Search for the Original File and Check Mac Backups

Time Machine Requirement: Time Machine can only restore files if it was set up and actively backing up your Mac prior to the document going missing. It cannot recover files if it was never used.

Solution 2

Use the Recover Text from Any File Feature

Extract readable text from a corrupted document if you manage to find the original file but it refuses to open normally.

Solution 3

Identify and Discard ~$ Lock Files

Understand why the ~$ file is failing to open so you can stop troubleshooting the wrong file and request the correct one.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Document Management on Mac

If you are struggling with Word for Mac's complex recovery features, confusing ~$ lock files, or missing documents, try WPS Office. It provides robust local auto-backup features, perfect Microsoft Word compatibility, and an intuitive interface for Mac users—completely free.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite for Mac.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files with perfect formatting preservation.
3. Enable Local Auto-Backup: Go to the WPS Settings and ensure Local Auto-Backup is enabled to securely back up your work as you type, avoiding future document loss.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsBuilt-in smart Auto-Backup prevents data loss without requiring cloud syncLightweight, fast, and runs smoothly on macOSNo confusing ~$ lock files cluttering your workflow

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Word file start with ~$ and show an unreadable error?

Files starting with ~$ are temporary lock files created by Microsoft Word to indicate that a document is currently open or in use. They only contain metadata, not your actual text. Attempting to open them will naturally result in an unreadable content error.

Can I recover a Word document from Time Machine if I never turned it on?

No. Time Machine must have been actively enabled and backing up your Mac prior to the document being lost. If it was never configured or turned on, there is no historical backup to restore from.

Can I restore my missing document from OneDrive if I wasn't signed in?

No. OneDrive's version history and file recovery features only work if the document was actively saved to your local OneDrive folder and synced to the cloud while you were signed in.

Where does Word for Mac store AutoRecover files?

By default, Word for Mac stores AutoRecover files in a hidden Library folder. You can access it by opening Finder, pressing Command + Shift + G, and navigating to '~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery'.

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