iCloud files GONE from desktop after updating to Mac OS Sonoma

[oliwhiting]

I'm in desperate need of help here...

I updated my 2020 MacBook Air from Big Sur to Sonoma and in the process, it seems to have deleted hundreds of files from folders on my desktop. These files were seemingly stored on iCloud as from memory they had the cloud icon beside them and I would often have to redownload them before use. After updating, the folders are still on my desktop but the contents within them are entirely gone. Approximately 50 of these missing files can still be found scattered around my 'recents' tab but the hundreds of others are nowhere to be found.

I must also mention that a new folder called 'Relocated Items' has popped up on my desktop but doesn't contain anything except for folders within folders.

A quick look at online suggestions such as using the finder application to locate them in the iCloud Drive was unsuccessful as they are not visible there either. I don't have a time machine backup of these files as they were seemingly being stored in the iCloud prior to this update.

I can't stress enough how important it is that I recover these files as they are all related to my work and contain weeks upon weeks of labour. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated!!

 

[chabig]

I'm sure they're not gone...
Was iCloud > iCloud Drive > Desktop & Documents on or off before the upgrade? After?
How long has it been since the upgrade. Syncing with iCloud may take a few days.
Do you see them in Finder > iCloud Drive?
Do you see them when logged into iCloud with a web browser?

 

[oliwhiting]

Ah, relief! iCloud drive was turned on prior to the update and thankfully due to your advice, I have been able to find the files via the iCloud Web page. That being said, there's still no sign of them on my actual computer. the update took place approximately four days ago so I reckon there would have been enough time for it to sync up. Do you have any recommendations on how to restore the files from the iCloud web browser to my computer's desktop? Thank you agian for your response, it's greatly appreciated!!

I'm sure they're not gone...
Was iCloud > iCloud Drive > Desktop & Documents on or off before the upgrade? After?
How long has it been since the upgrade. Syncing with iCloud may take a few days.
Do you see them in Finder > iCloud Drive?
Do you see them when logged into iCloud with a web browser?

 

[oliwhiting]

I'm sure they're not gone...
Was iCloud > iCloud Drive > Desktop & Documents on or off before the upgrade? After?
How long has it been since the upgrade. Syncing with iCloud may take a few days.
Do you see them in Finder > iCloud Drive?
Do you see them when logged into iCloud with a web browser?

To clarify, they can now be found in the iCloud Drive on my web browser but not in the iCloud Drive on my Mac.

 

[chabig]

They don't show here in Finder?




Confirm this in System Settings > iCloud:

 

[oliwhiting]

No, unfortunately they are not visible in Finder. I have double-checked my iCloud settings and both iCloud Drive and Desktop backup are enabled as shown in your example pictures, this was also the case prior to the update.

The missing files are now visible via the web browser version of iCloud Drive but despite following the same steps cannot be found on my computer. Is there any way to use the web browser version of iCloud to restore the missing files to my desktop? I have provided some screenshots below to better visualise the issue. Thank you again for your support, it has been a life saver!

 

[oliwhiting]

They don't show here in Finder?


View attachment 2330338

Confirm this in System Settings > iCloud:


View attachment 2330342

Apologies, it appears some of my screenshots have been uploaded twice but photos 6 through to 10 should show the issue at hand.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

I'm going to offer a bit of advice.

You've just discovered why it's not such a good idea to "trust the cloud" (not iCloud or anybody else's "cloud") with what might be the only copy of your important files. You "re-discovered" them this time, but... what if something else had gone wrong?

EVERYTHING you have (file-wise) should be backed up on a PHYSICAL drive also in your possession.

Do you keep a backup?
Time machine or anything else?

If so, that might work, but again... I wouldn't trust iCloud as the only "storage place" for my files.

Personal note:
I do not use, and have never activated, the option Apple offers to "manage files".
I do "the managing" of my own files, thank you very much!

 

[chabig]

From my small iPhone screen it just looks like they haven’t synced.

 

[oliwhiting]

OP:

I'm going to offer a bit of advice.

You've just discovered why it's not such a good idea to "trust the cloud" (not iCloud or anybody else's "cloud") with what might be the only copy of your important files. You "re-discovered" them this time, but... what if something else had gone wrong?

EVERYTHING you have (file-wise) should be backed up on a PHYSICAL drive also in your possession.

Do you keep a backup?
Time machine or anything else?

If so, that might work, but again... I wouldn't trust iCloud as the only "storage place" for my files.

Personal note:
I do not use, and have never activated, the option Apple offers to "manage files".
I do "the managing" of my own files, thank you very much!

Hi there.
Thanks for your response, however as is shown in the discussion and photos above, my files aren't 'gone' as such, they are not currently accessible via my computer.

As mentioned in my first post, I do not currently have a Time Machine backup but will be amending that mishap once I have restored my files.

Regarding the issue originally being discussed, do you have any insight regarding the restoration of files from iCloud.com to my desktop/iCloud Drive on my computer? This appears to be an issue regarding my on-device iCloud Drive as the files are available on both iCloud.com and the Files app on my iPad.

 

[oliwhiting]

From my small iPhone screen it just looks like they haven’t synced.

Thank you Chabig. I appreciate all your help. Is there anything I can do to expedite the syncing process? It has been approximately four days since updating my device and there hasn't been any progress whatsoever in terms of files being restored. Is this a process that I need to manually contribute to or are you suggesting this problem will resolve itself?

 

[ChazMacs]

I just as of today have a similar problem. Files are on my Time Machine drive, in iCloud drive viewed at iCloud.com, but not visible on my desktop or by clicking iCloud Drive in the sidebar and opening the Desktop folder. However, if I restore from Time Machine, I see the dialogue box indicating that there are duplicate files, should I keep the original, replace or duplicate. WTF??? Wonder if Finder prefs are a problem. I'll replace and restart and see what happens.

OK, I trashed com.apple.finder preference, restarted into Recovery, ran First Aid, restarted. No change. I did just restore the files by dragging them from a TM backup, again getting the message that to replace or duplicate, or leave originals. I replaced, and now see all the files and folders on my desktop. Hope someone figures this out!