tobester70
Level 1 (12 points)
Mac OS X

Q: All my files freshly loaded to iCloud have disappeared!

Decided to load all my archived files to iCloud, bought 1TB of space and spent hours loading a lifetime's work to it. Linked it to my iPhone too but the phone started doing weird things like telling me it was full, even after 2 reformats when there was nothing on it. Started turning things off relating to iCloud and the weirdness stopped. However, just gone to retrieve a file from my archives and every single file I uploaded has disappeared. My iCloud storage is empty!!! Panicking! Please someone tell me that they are still there. The Mac system usually offers a process of confirmation before it lets you delete anything. Surely iCloud storage would be no different. At no point was I warned that files would be deleted if I took a certain action! I've used Macs since the 1990s... it's impossible to delete anything by accident. Meanwhile, my iPhone 5 still says it's using 10GB but there's nothing of the like on it! That I'm less concerned about than my missing files.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), Also iPhone

Posted on May 9, 2016 2:35 PM

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tobester70

Q: All my files freshly loaded to iCloud have disappeared!

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  • Helpful answers

  • by ManSinha,

    ManSinha ManSinha May 9, 2016 2:41 PM in response to tobester70
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    May 9, 2016 2:41 PM in response to tobester70

    The iCloud is better thought of as a syncing device rather than a true backup

    The files on iCloud are mirrored on the computer

    Here is the direct quote from the FAQ - hopefully you can get your files back

     

    iCloud Drive FAQ - Apple Support

    How do I access all my files in iCloud Drive?

    There are multiple ways you can access your files in iCloud Drive:

    • Using any supported web browser, you can use iCloud Drive at iCloud.com.
    • On your Mac with OS X Yosemite or El Capitan, you can go to iCloud Drive in Finder.
    • On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 9, you can access your files from the iCloud Drive app. To show or hide the app, go to Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive. Next to Show on Home Screen, choose On or Off.
    • On your PC with Windows 7 or later and iCloud for Windows, you can go to iCloud Drive in File Explorer.

    If you need to access a file that you deleted within the last 30 days, you can recover it from iCloud.com:

    1. Sign in to iCloud.com.
    2. Click Settings.
    3. Under Advanced, click Restore Files.
    4. Browse the list of files in the Restore Files window.

    Files will be removed from Restore Files in 30 days.

  • by tobester70,

    tobester70 tobester70 May 9, 2016 3:00 PM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 9, 2016 3:00 PM in response to ManSinha

    Thanks ManSinha. The files are definitely gone and my iCloud empty. Beyond the 30 days too. I've booked myself a call from Apple tomorrow - hopefully they can explain and help me retrieve my files. I chose iCloud because my external LaCie drive had just suddenly corrupted itself and I needed somewhere safe and reliable to put things!!! This is not good. But thank you for your response.