Can't access backups/previous data with Bisq 1.9.15 MANDATORY update

Initially wanted to avoid updating but got ‘MANDATORY UPDATE’ pop up saying trade is halted until i update, went and downloaded the installer within the Bisq App with verified signature etc, and this new update has a completely differentfile structure different to every other update - i have my back ups but i cant use them… usually the ‘Bisq’ data folder would just have to be in the same directory as the installer and all my data would be there like previous versions. But that doesnt work anymore and it launches a brand new app with no knowledge of my data despite it being in the same directory, any clue on how to proceed?

The data directory was never in the same place as the install dir.
Data directory has its own specific location which is separate from the application itself:
https://bisq.wiki/Data_directory#Default_locations