How to Recover Deleted Files from iCloud


While eliminating some of the unnecessary data, you accidentally deleted some of the important files. And now you are desperately willing to recover all the deleted files from iCloud on your computer or iOS device.

Take a breath, mate! You are not out of luck at all. Thanks to the iCloud file recovery system, restoring the deleted files both on Mac and iPhone is hassle-free. Of course, there are some limitations, but you can retrieve most of the lost files.

When you delete files, they stay in the iCloud for up to 30 days before being permanently removed. As iCloud backup includes most of the essential files like app data, device settings, HomeKit configuration, iMessage, photos, videos, purchase history from Apple services, like your music, movies, TV shows, apps, books and more, you will be able to retrieve your stuff without any pain.

Talking about how iCloud data recovery works; it’s not known to be super speedy. Besides, you will be able to reclaim the deleted data efficiently only from the icloud.com on the computer.

Though the recent iOS versions do let you recover recently deleted files, it’s not the ideal way as yet. So, if you are willing to regain the data a bit more efficiently, you need to be on the desktop with the active Internet connection at the disposal!

How to Recover Deleted iCloud Files on Mac or Windows PC

Step #1. Open any web browser on your computer and head over to icloud.com. Then, sign in to your iCloud account.

Sign in to iCloud account on Mac

Step #2. Now, click on the Settings icon.

Click on Settings icon in iCloud on Mac

Step #3. Under the “Advanced” section, you have multiple options:

  • Recover Files
  • Restore Contacts
  • Restore Calendars and Reminders
  • Restore Bookmarks
Under Advanced There are multiple options to Recover Deleted Files from iCloud on Mac

Now, select the option based on requirement. Then, pick and choose the data you wish to retrieve. In the end, hit the Restore button.

Choose data you wish to retrieve and hit Restore button in iCloud

There is also an option to select all the data, so go for this option if you want to get everything back. Then, wait for some time as iCloud data recovery doesn’t work with blazing fast speed. All of your selected data will be restored in the respective apps or the original locations.

iOS 11 or later comes with a native file manager called “Files” that allow you to retrieve the recently eliminated files from iCloud Drive. So, if you have deleted any of your iCloud drive files, follow the below steps to recover them on your iOS device.

How to Recover Recently Deleted Files from iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad

Step #1. Open Files app on your iOS device.

Open Files app on your iPhone

Step #2. Now, tap on the Browse tab and then hit the Recently Deleted.

Tap on Browse tab and then hit Recently Deleted in Files app on iPhone

Step #3. Next, you should see all of your deleted files. Tap on Select at the top right corner and then choose the files you want to get back and hit the Recover button.

Restore Recently Deleted Files from iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad

That’s it! These files will now be available in their original folder.

Wrapping up…

Now that you know how to regain the lost files, use the methods to get back your data if you ever find yourself on the wrong side of the fence. It’d be better had there been a full-fledged data recovery system on the iOS device itself. I wish Apple included it sooner than later.

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Dhvanesh Founder
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.

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