Importing Local history from a previous versions

Problem

After upgrading PyCharm to newer versions, local history from the previous version is no longer accessible. Attempts to manually copy the files from the old history folder fail, leaving the user unable to use or retrieve their previous local records.

Cause

Local history is not designed to be carried over between major updates of the IDE. It is stored in the configuration directory of the respective IDE version and is not automatically transferred during upgrades. Local history is intended as a short-term mechanism rather than a long-term archive.

Resolution

Currently, PyCharm does not support transferring local history across major updates. Please vote for the corresponding feature request Provide a way for the local history to "survive" VFS crash and Invalidate Caches and reinstallations

As a workaround install the previous IDE version in parallel to the updated one.  And use it to access the stored local history data. You can use the Toolbox app to install the older version of the IDE while keeping the new one installed.

To avoid losing between IDE upgrades, it is recommended to use Git. Local History is designed as a short-term safety net for accidents inside a single installation, not as a long-term archive. Setting up a local Git repo for the project, even one you never push to a remote, would protect you across any future IDE change.