by Ken Task.
Moodle version with build date? ... found in Notifications.
Makes a difference .... me thinks ... moved where one finds them?
In a 3.1.highest and a 3.0.highest automated backups does tag the fiiles as being in 'automated' backup area ... which is still /moodledata/filedir/ (by the contenthash path/name).
After logging on as admin level user, go to Site Admin -> Courses -> Restore a course. In File PIcker, Select Server Files. In file picker, you'll see directory icons which are categories of your site. Click one of those and drill down ... eventually you'll see a 'Automated Backups' directory icon and inside the backup.
'spirit of sharing', Ken