How do I recover missing files after restoring desktop and documents on iMac from iCloud on Sequoia?

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Level 1

4 points

How do I recover missing files after restoring desktop and documents on iMac from iCloud on Sequoia?

I have a Retina 5k, 27 in 2019 iMac. I backed my computer up right before updating to Sequoia. I also signed up for iCloud thinking it would be a good idea for the download. Everything went pretty smooth for the upgrade. My iCloud stated that it was about full and I needed to either delete files from the iCloud or upgrade and buy it. I also noticed that everything on desktop and documents were. I went into my iCloud and stopped it from pulling anything else out from my computer. I made a few mistakes trying to download my desktop and documents from the iCloud back to where they came from. The main reason for having a iMac is for music and recording, mixing. The problem is when my desktop items returned to the desktop my Reaper can't find them most of the information due to the path being miss directed. I am very new to using Apple products. I believe my mistakes were zipping the documents and the desktop into compressed folders. I also was downloading them, as I was picking up files to download the computer stopped and I had to start again. So I ended up with 3 or 4 versions. some were missing files. only few folders were the same. Is my only choice to backup to Catalina right before I upgraded to Sequoia before I made this mistake, then upgraded back to sequoia. Please help if I can't fix this, I will lose two or three years of music some still working on. Y'all have a wonderful day.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 27″, macOS 15.4

Posted on Apr 4, 2025 7:22 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

73,182 points

Apr 4, 2025 7:42 AM in response to Cosmicpunk

I don't see any reason to go 5 or 6 versions back to Catalina.

When you say you backed up before upgrading: did you use Time Machine, or did you manually copied files?

If you used Time Machine, it should be easy.

1) Full backup using Time Machine; if possible, a second backup 2) System Settings->General->Transfer or Reset->Erase All Content and Settings This will leave only the OS itself, and erase all system modifications as well as all accounts, so you did do the backup beforehand, right? 3) When asked, choose to migrate from "another mac, drive or Time Machine backup"; select the TM backup drive used in step 1 4) Select to migrate ONLY the user accounts (no applications, settings or other files - otherwise you'd just be back to where you started)

Make sure NOT to agree to "Documents and Desktop in iCloud".

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Answer 2

Apr 4, 2025 8:52 AM in response to Cosmicpunk

The only thing I would add is that before erasing you could copy some of that new stuff that some other drive in order not to lose it.

The problem with storing "Documents and Desktop in iCloud" is that the free tier only gives 5GB of space (and that may includes photos and other things besides the contents of the Documents and the Desktop folders.

I pay Apple a dollar a month to have 50GB and still that would not be enough to fit my Documents and Desktop folders. Some people have less files, and may prefer this in order to easily share the content among multiple Apple devices.

I always recommend against "Documents and Desktop in iCloud" for that reason. I do use iCloud Drive, but do it by deliberately copying or moving files that I want to access on my iPhone or iPad. It can be extremely convenient to access them, but I choose what I need and what I don't need on the mobile devices.

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Answer 3

Cosmicpunk Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 4, 2025 8:32 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I upgraded from Catalina. Yes I used Time Machine with a 2 TB hard drive. I guess that's why I was assuming I have to go back to Catalina. To back everything up to that point to start over.

I learned quite a bit of what not to do. lol. My inexperience made me believe it would be better to have the iCloud I guess I definitely learned that I didn't really need them to back up much considering I have an external hard drive I can use. I've only had this upgrade for possibly 2 to 3 weeks. It sucks that I'll lose some vocal tracks and mixes a couple songs, but at least I won't be losing a couple years of stuff. I'll check it out. I appreciate your guidance. If any of the additional information I gave you changes your mind on how I should do things please let me know. Thank you so much. I appreciate your time. This is my only Apple device.

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Answer 4

Cosmicpunk Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 4, 2025 9:24 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thank you very much wish me luck. I'll let you know how it goes

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