Why isn't my Files app data being restored on my iPhone during the Restore process?!

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Level 1

33 points

Why isn't my Files app data being restored on my iPhone during the Restore process?!

Why isn't my Files app data being restored on my iPhone during the Restore process (iOS 26.5.2)?!

The after the Restore process has been completed, the Backup Size is listed as 28.09 GB, Next Backup Size is +Zero, and yet the Files data is 40.91 GB (in Backup Details)!

What can I do about this continued data discrepancy, inability to have my Files app data restored to my device from iCloud, and what needs to happen in order for me to obtain reliable functionality (without data amount representation conflict)?

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Jul 14, 2026 5:11 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SravanKrA

Level 10

441,844 points

Jul 17, 2026 1:54 AM in response to Justin Perth

If your files are stored in a cloud storage location within the Files app—such as iCloud Drive, OneDrive, or Google Drive—they are not included in an iPhone backup, whether you back up using iCloud Backup or to a Mac (Finder) or Windows PC (iTunes/Apple Devices).

This is because those files already exist in their respective cloud storage services and are expected to be restored by signing in to the same account after setting up the device.

Only files stored under On My iPhone in the Files app are included in an iPhone backup, provided they belong to apps whose data is backed up. Therefore, if you have important files that exist only under On My iPhone, they can be restored from an iPhone backup. Files stored in cloud locations, however, are restored by reconnecting to the corresponding cloud service—not from the device backup itself.

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Answer 2

Jul 14, 2026 6:48 AM in response to Justin Perth

What location is being used by the Files App for these files (on the device, or on iCloud)? iCloud stored files will not be fully downloaded to the device unless you tap on them. They a

so shouldn’t be included in the back up except as links.

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Answer 3

SravanKrA

Level 10

441,844 points

Jul 17, 2026 2:06 AM in response to Justin Perth

Justin Perth wrote:

On iCloud (not iCloud drive nor iPhone device).

It is not iCloud it is only iCloud Drive or third-party Cloud Drives.

If you had those files on other Cloud Drives (Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox, Flickr, box, AmazonDrive, Adobe Creative Cloud etc) Then please log into them before you can access those files on Files App.

It is always on iCloud Drive. See the pic below

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Answer 4

Justin Perth Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 16, 2026 6:36 AM in response to Kilgore-Trout

After speaking with an Apple Support member, I have since been told that my Backups must have been corrupt.

After several attempts of restoring the same Backup I was able to download some of my File's app data but cannot be confident a new Backup will not completely lose what data I have been able to recover.

I am therefore going to need a localised external storage solution.

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Answer 5

Justin Perth Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 14, 2026 6:28 PM in response to Kilgore-Trout

On iCloud (not iCloud drive nor iPhone device).

Previously the Files app files and folders were stored on the device as files On My Phone (not in Files on iPhone Storage).

iCloud cannot access them as the Restore Files perpetually states "There is a problem loading this content. Try again later".

How do I get my Files app folders and files data back on my iPhone's local storage?

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Answer 6

Jul 15, 2026 2:00 PM in response to Justin Perth

You might want to go through what you have done to get to this point in detail, step by step. Perhaps provide some screen shots.

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