Bug/issue downloading iCloud Photos from browser (timeout)

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Bug/issue downloading iCloud Photos from browser (timeout)

When using the iCloud Photos web application from a browser, depending on how long it takes to download, the download will fail. I believe it may have to do with Advanced Data Protection being enabled. I was downloading 3-4 big batches of Photos to help clear my iCloud Storage, and after a full hour (1hr 15mins), all four downloads (although they were started 3-7 minutes apart) completely came to a halt instantaneously at the same time.

I was browsing the iCloud Photos app when it happened which I assume was working on cached data, but when I refreshed the page to see what was going on, I was presented with an request to re-verify my credentials with my phone, even though I did a little over/about an hour ago.

Upon doing so, my downloads would not resume either, so I waited all that time for nothing. I have a hunch that it is related to enabling Advanced Data Protection, so I just disabled it, and restarted all my downloads in hopes that was the issue.

Whoever manages the Advanced Data Protection needs to work with the iCloud Security team and fix this problem, as I am sure I am not the only person who would like to download thing that take longer than one hour. What if I am working on a Pages document for more then one hour? Will that also immediately lock out? I think as long as there is a download that started BEFORE the lockout, it should let finish, as oppose to immediately terminating it. I suppose the might be a problem if after an hour, all data gets re-encrypted with user's encryption keys. Perhaps, a setting to allow the user to define how long before their data gets re-encrypted? Or set it to 3 hours and make sure the user knows?

I know this might be a bit technical, but I hope it can reach a technical team at Apple.

I will report back if my downloads fail again after X minutes/hours, even though I disabled Advanced Data Protection being starting them.

Thank you.

MK

Posted on Apr 25, 2025 10:38 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

moek28 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 26, 2025 2:58 AM in response to moek28

Following up:

It definitely was due to Advanced Data Protection causing the downloads to fail. If I understand the architecture a bit, I assume that the encryption keys are only valid for one hour after I approve iCloud.com web access on my phone, and they expire thereafter causing the iCloud/Apple Web servers to lose access to my files and therefore unable to send over the files.

This is a heads up for other clients of iCloud Drive that also enable Advanced Data Protection, but also a report to Apple Engineering in case they want to know about this issue and if a fix is worth it.

I assume users with ADP can request a copy of their data through the privacy.apple.com, so how does that work because that 100% takes longer than a few hours for the data to be collected and made available. Maybe that can provide a hint on how to fix the issue with large/time-consuming iCloud web downloads?

In any case, I doubt anyone in Apple Engineering will see this, but leaving this post for other users with Advanced Data Protection enabled whom might experience the same issues I had when trying to download a lot of files/photos from iCloud.com.

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

204,361 points

Apr 25, 2025 11:14 PM in response to moek28

"[...]I was downloading 3-4 big batches of Photos to help clear my iCloud Storage, and after a full hour (1hr 15mins), all four downloads (although they were started 3-7 minutes apart) completely came to a halt instantaneously at the same time.]...]"

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Lagging Connection:

Are you using VPN? If so, turn it off. Use a Home LAN, and not a public one. Use Ethernet, as you would get a more reliable download speed; this is the adapter to get for Ethernet: Belkin USB-C to 2.5Gb Ethernet Adapter - Apple

Getting a Copy if iCloud Contents:

Here is how you can download iCloud Drive and the rest of iCloud. In doing so, you'll have a backup copy of it, and then you can trash what is in iCloud Drive to keep space.

A. Download All of iCloud Drive:

Use my User Tip: Getting a Quick and Direct "iCloud Drive-to-External Hard Drive" Download - User Tip

B. Download the Rest of iCloud:

Refer to his Apple Support Link: Archive or Make Copies of the Information you Store in iCloud - Apple Support

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Bug/issue downloading iCloud Photos from browser (timeout)

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