Latest saved Illustrator working file version is gone

[FlygpGraphics]

I created a new file in Illustrator ver 28. I made two icons, saved and went home for the day. A couple of days later I continued working on more icons in the same file. Saved the file, like I always do, religiously.
For some reason now that I open that very same file, all my icons are gone, except for the two frist ones I had made the previous day. I've searched thorugh my entire computer and Adobe Cloud, but the lastest version I made is nowhere to be found. What to do?

[Monika Gause]

Where did you save the file? On your desktop or on a network?

Is "Save in background" turned on in the Preferences? Unfortunately under certain circumstances it can cause this exact issue.

[FlygpGraphics]

Oh, I forgot to mention, I saved it both locally and in the Cloud, perhaps that is the problem? Weirdest thing, today when I opened the same file again to check if, as you said, I had 'Save in Background' on, all the icons were back! Super weird but indeed a relief. Have you experienced 'Save in the Background' is not a good thing? I'm really worried they will be lost again. 

[Monika Gause]

I'm glad that you could recover your work. Personally I never had issues with "Save in background". But there have been several cases on the forum where it has actually harmed the saving process. 

This option allows you to continue working while Illustrator is saving. So with small files it's rather a luxury setting and doesn't harm when turned off.

[FlygpGraphics]

I have cmd+s ingrained in my fingers from back in the old days with Adobe, so I save religiously without thinking about it 😛 But thank you for the information about 'Save in background', it was news to me, I'll make sure to keep that in mind! I have re-saved my file both in Cloud and locally so hopefully I get to keep the icons this time.

[Monika Gause]

Saving to 2 locations is already very important (as you noticed). It's also a good idea to save different versions of a file. If saving goes wrong (because of a crash or because of the function just not working) then it doesn't matter how regularly you saved the file previoucly.

[Bobby Henderson]

In addition to saving files on at least two physical discs, it's a good idea to have back-ups stored in more than one location. I usually take a back-up home with me just in case something catastrophic happens, such as the work place burning down or getting flattened by a tornado. I like cloud-based back-ups for frequently used items.

[Mike_Gondek]

I add to the end of my filename _V1 and keep increasing than number with each save.  Helps you to confirm you indeed saved to both locations. I also do that to help with tracking & communicating client feedback as they might say I like this out of version 4.

[Bobby Henderson]

Astute Graphics' Autosavior plugin is pretty good for automatically saving files or reminding you to manually save them. It's available for free by starting a trial of Astute Graphics' plugins. You get to keep the Autosavior plugin (and a couple or so others) even if you cancel out at the end of the trial.
https://astutegraphics.com/plugins/autosaviour

[Jacob Bugge]

In addition to Save As with different names on different EM devices wherever, it can be crucial to save on an optical disk (if applicable, otherwise into an EM device to be disconnected and shielded), before the inevitable next EMP from whichever source.