Missing iCloud files? 4 ways to recover lost iCloud files

If your iCloud files are missing, you're not alone. One user said, “My iCloud Drive seems to be missing a lot of content. The folders are there but empty. Didn't intentionally delete anything, and can't find them in the recoverable files or recently deleted section of iCloud Drive.”

Don't trust iCloud with your data! (I lost a lot of files) Author: u/nameless2512 in the apple subreddit

Sometimes, you might accidentally turn off iCloud Drive or get logged out, leading to this issue. However, there are some significant fixes that can help you recover missing iCloud files. You can retrieve them by checking the "Recently Deleted" folder, restoring from backups, and more. Let's look at the solutions when your iCloud files disappear!

Solution 1: Recover Disappeared iCloud Files using Software (Mac) When your iCloud files go missing on your Mac, you can try using a professional data recovery tool to retrieve them. Here's a simple process: 1. **Select a Reliable Recovery Tool**: First, download and install a reputable data recovery software like tools Data Recovery Wizard, Disk Drill, or Stellar Data Recovery. 2. **Run the Software**: After installation, launch the software and make sure your Mac is connected to the internet so the software can access your iCloud account. 3. **Scan iCloud Files**: In the software interface, choose "Recover from iCloud Drive" or a similar option. Then, follow the prompts to log in with your Apple ID and password. 4. **Preview and Recover Files**: Once the scan is complete, the software will display recoverable files. You can preview these files, select the ones you want to recover, and click the "Recover" button to save them back to your Mac. Keep in mind that this method may not work for all file types, and some files might be permanently deleted. If the software fails to locate your files, you might need to try alternative methods like contacting Apple Support or checking the iCloud Trash.

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a reliable solution tailored for macOS users seeking to recover lost iCloud files. This intuitive software offers seamless functionality, ensuring a user-friendly experience when performing crucial iCloud file recovery tasks.

Its intuitive interface simplifies the recovery process, making it accessible to users with limited technical knowledge. The program employs advanced algorithms to efficiently scan your iCloud Drive storage and the version history of iCloud files, enabling you to effortlessly retrieve your valuable data.

Even if you have accidentally deleted files from iCloud Drive or suffered unexpected data loss, the Mac Data Recovery Wizard provides the solution to help you restore permanently deleted files from iCloud, including photos, videos, notes, and more. Follow the steps below to recover your iCloud files:

Step 1: Choose iCloud Restore

Select “iCloud” from the left panel, and then choose “Restore from iCloud account” to retrieve your iCloud Drive data. Tap on “Next” to log in to your iCloud account.

Step 2: Select the "iCloud Drive" category.

The utility will quickly scan all recoverable data in your iCloud account. Check the “iCloud Drive” category, then click the “Next” button.

Select the category of “iCloud Drive”.

Step 3: Recover Data from iCloud Drive

Select the iCloud Drive data you want to recover, click the Eye icon to preview the details, and then hit the “Recover” button to get them back.

Step 4: Save the Recovered iCloud Drive Data

Select a secure location on your Mac hard drive to save the recovered iCloud Drive data. You also have the option to save the retrieved data to your cloud storage like Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and so on.

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Fix 2: Check “Recently Deleted” to Restore Missing Files from iCloud

If you need to recover deleted iCloud data, one possible solution is to check the “Recently Deleted” section. Files that you remove from iCloud are kept in the “Recently Deleted” folder for 30 days, during which time you can restore them on your Mac before they're permanently erased.

To recover an iCloud Drive file you previously deleted from the Trash, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to iCloud.com on your Mac. Click iCloud Drive to open it.

Step 2: Find the deleted file in the “Recently Deleted” folder from the sidebar. Click “Recover All” or select a file and hit the “Recover” button to finalize the process.

If you wish to recover files deleted more than 30 days ago from iCloud Drive and not restore recently deleted iCloud Drive files, consider installing the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool to restore permanently removed items from iCloud Drive.

Solution 3: Recover Disappeared iCloud Files from Backup

An iCloud backup is a safety net for your data that you can restore when needed. You should regularly sync your data to keep your iCloud files up-to-date. However, you can't directly restore an iCloud backup on your Mac because these backups are designed to restore on iPhones and iPads.

Accessing an iCloud Backup on a Mac

You can view and manage your iCloud backups on a Mac. Here's how to access your iCloud backups on a Mac:

Step 1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select “System Preferences.”

Click iCloud.

Step 2: Tap on “Apple ID,” then tap on “iCloud.” Tap “Manage Storage” and then “Backups.”

Accidentally deleted an iCloud backup? Don't worry! This article will guide you on how to quickly and securely restore a deleted iCloud backup.

Please provide the English content you wish to translate, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.

Solution: How to Recover Deleted iCloud Backup - Tools

It is possible to restore deleted iCloud backups. If you accidentally delete an iCloud backup, there are several ways to help you retrieve them. Read More >>

Restore a File from Time Machine Backup

To restore specific files from a backup on a Mac, you can use the Time Machine backup feature.

Step 1: Launch Time Machine from your Dock. Navigate to the location of the missing iCloud file, which would be in your iCloud Drive.

Click "Browse Time Machine Backup".

Step 2. With Time Machine, you can browse a timeline of your backups and restore the files you need.

Step 3: Select all the files that are missing from iCloud, and then click “Restore.”

Click "Restore."

Restore Files from an iCloud Backup (iOS)

If you have an iOS device, an iPad or iPhone, you can restore a backup directly from iCloud to your device. Here's how:

Step 1. On your iOS device, open Settings. Tap General, then tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 2: Turn the device on after it finishes resetting, and choose Restore from iCloud backup.

Solution 4: Contact Apple Support to Recover Lost iCloud Files

Go to the Apple Support page and click the “Chat” option to talk to an Apple customer service representative. Tell the Apple support rep that you need to recover a lost iCloud file.

Step 1: Choose the Apple product or service you need help with, and describe the issue you're experiencing.

Step 2: Finally, sign in to Chat using your Apple ID or your device's serial number.

Conclusions

While encountering the "iCloud files missing" error can be frustrating, there are viable solutions. You can recover deleted iCloud files by contacting Apple Support, using the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool, or searching the "Recently Deleted" folder. Essentially, important data can be restored, and with the right tools and methods, future data loss can be prevented.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some queries related to missing iCloud files:

1. Why have my iCloud files disappeared all of a sudden?

Unticking “Desktop and Documents Folders” in your Mac's iCloud settings can cause your iCloud files to disappear. Other causes might include accidental deletion, storage issues, and more.

Where's my speech?

If you uncheck "Desktop and Documents Folders" in iCloud settings on your Mac, your files might appear missing from iCloud. This removes local copies to save space, but the files remain in iCloud. You can access them by syncing your device's iCloud Drive or through the website.

Why did iCloud delete my files?

Accidental deletion or syncing issues can cause files to go missing, but they may still be accessible through iCloud. Additionally, if you uncheck "Desktop & Documents Folders" in your iCloud settings, iCloud will remove local copies to free up space, which can also lead to the disappearance of your files. Regular backups and syncing settings can help prevent data loss.