2022 09_27 encountered the above referenced message when trying to download iCloud synced files and folders to Mac storage for a clean install (Monterey) on new 4TB SSD (replaced old fusion drive in a 2017 iMac) hard drive.
“The item “archive for file cabinet scans” couldn’t be downloaded. Please check your internet connection, then try again.”
Tried repetitively to download the remaining folders listed in subfolders of my iCloud Documents folder that still had a cloud outline with an arrow pointing down. Found that if a single file with the cloud with down arrow image was selected (on the cloud with down arrow), the file would download.
This was very peculiar because I’d just finished downloading all of the rest of the sporadically located folders/files from the iCloud Documents folder in Finder simply by selecting the cloud with down arrow icon/image to the right of the Documents folder name in the iCloud portion of the Finder sidebar. It successfully completed all the remaining downloads to the hard drive.
Went on line and found this Apple Community thread with inquiries about this problem from May 2022 (recent, Monterey). A number of people with the issue, but as usual, no definable solutions.
The item couldn't be downloaded. Please c… - Apple Community
Left the computer for rest of day.
2022 09_28 was going to try several work arounds. Low and behold, I selected one of the remaining un-downloaded folders and it downloaded. Went through and progressively increased the span of the folder downloads. Worked!! Started on the Photos folder where a number are still only in cloud. Was working fine and then I clicked on the next cloud with down arrow image for the next folder to download and nothing happened. I opened the folder and selected the cloud/arrow for an individual file. Nothing happened. Right clicked and selected the “Download Now” option - nothing happened.
Totally not working now, but no message showing up like yesterday.
There are no clock/download progress images showing in the Finder sidebar so I don’t think there are any background transfers going on.
Does this reflect a Monterey glitch that comes and goes? Will set this aside for awhile and see if it becomes active again after several hours or overnight as just occurred in the last 24 hour period.
2022 09_28 Late Afternoon. Experimented with a work around. Copied file from a folder in Finder/documents/photos///…. with cloud/downarrow to Finder/Documents/MyName folder. As it copied, it downloaded with the progress clock visible. When done, the cloud disappeared from the pasted file in MyName folder and from the original location in Photos folder. Tried this with a complete folder also and it worked.
Interestingly now, in the bottom margin of finder it says it’s downloading the items and then it follows by uploading the items. Bizarre. Now all of my files and separate image files (not the ones in photos library), videos, etc are synced in iCloud and my 2 Mac computers.
I put the larger size SSD in so I could download the full files to my hard drive so it provides one further backup copy (in addition to TM, Carbonite and other external drive backups.
The last bit of work was tedious but it worked. Would be nice if Apple could fix this.
Note: Make sure you have the status bar showing so you can view the download/upload activity (in View menu on Finder).
