[Solved!] Top 10 Fixes to iCloud Drive Files not Downloading

In the era of cloud storage, iCloud Drive has become an indispensable tool for Apple users, offering a seamless way to access and sync files across multiple devices. However, it's not uncommon to encounter issues with iCloud Drive, such as the frustration of iCloud Drive files not downloading, iCloud Drive always loading, etc.

If you've experienced this, you're not alone. In this article, we'll explore the potential reasons behind files not downloading from iCloud Drive and provide a range of solutions to resolve this vexing issue.

Why won’t iCloud Drive files download?

Several factors can contribute to the problem of files not downloading from iCloud Drive. Before diving into specific solutions to resolve the issue, it’s necessary to learn about why won’t your iCloud Drive not downloading files. The followings are some common causes.

• Poor Internet Connection
• Lack of Storage Space
• File Size and Type
• Software and System Issues
• Synchronization Errors

9 solutions to iCloud Drive files not downloading

Now, let’s go through the potential solutions to resolve the issue of files not downloading from iCloud Drive to iPhone/Mac. Try them one after another, until your issue gets fixed. If you are in a hurry, a quick solution is also offered in the next part to enable you to manually download files from iCloud Drive.

1# Check your Internet connection

The most basic yet crucial step is to ensure that you have a strong and stable internet connection. To troubleshoot your connection:

• Confirm that Wi-Fi or mobile data is turned on.
• Check the signal strength and ensure you have a stable connection.
• Try different Wi-Fi networks or cellular data to determine if the issue persists.

2# Check Apple’s system status

If iCloud Drive is experiencing an outage, the only option is to wait until Apple resolves the issue. Visit Apple's system status page and ensure that the circle to the left of iCloud Drive is green. If the circle appears orange, it's best to take a break and attempt downloading iCloud files later once the issue is resolved.

3# Verify available storage

Insufficient storage space in your iCloud account or on your device can prevent files from downloading. Follow the steps below to check and ensure you have sufficient space available for the files to download.

To check iCloud storage space, navigate to Settings > Tap [your name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage (or Manage Storage in iOS 15 and earlier).

You may need this guide: 5 Best Ways to Free Up iCloud Storage on iPhone/Mac to get more available iCloud space.

4# Ensure supported file types and sizes

Some files may not download due to their size or unsupported formats. It's essential to ensure the file types are supported and the size is within the acceptable range for iCloud Drive. Check the file types and consider reducing the size of larger files to facilitate downloading.

5# Update your software

Lately, software bugs have been the root cause of many issues on Apple devices. If the aforementioned tips didn't resolve the iCloud Drive files not downloading problem, it might be due to a software bug. Updating the software could likely fix the issue. Let's explore how to do that:

To check and update iOS, go to Settings > Scroll down and select General > Tap Software Update to check for and install any available updates.

To check and update macOS, choose Apple menu > System Settings > Click General in the sidebar > Click Software Update to have a check.

6# Restart your device

Rebooting or soft resetting has always been effective when it comes to fixing common issues on Apple devices. Hence, reboot your device and try to download iCloud Files again.

Restart iPhone
Press and hold the Power button (and either Volume button for iPhone without the home buttom), and drag the power off slider on the screen to turn off your iPhone. After waiting for seconds, turn on your iPhone.

Restart Mac
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner, and select Restart from the drop-down menu to restart Mac. After the restart, check if the files start downloading.

7# Turn off & on iCloud Drive

At times, troubleshooting issues with iCloud Drive can be resolved by toggling the service off and on within the Settings app. It's a handy solution worth trying out. Here's how it works:

On iPhone
Open the iPhone Settings app > Tap [your name] > iCloud and toggle off iCloud Drive.

On Mac: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud and then select iCloud Drive.

After that, restart your device, and go back to re-enable iCloud Drive. Now, you should get rid of the iCloud Drive files not downloading issue.

8# Turn off & on iCloud Drive in Apple Files

The Apple Files app offers the flexibility to manage various cloud storage services, including Apple's iCloud Drive. You have the ability to grant or restrict access to any cloud storage app within the Files app based on your preferences. Utilize this feature to enable or disable iCloud Drive in the Apple Files app. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Launch the Files app on your iPhone > Move to the Browse tab.

Step 2. Tap on the three horizontal dots at the top-right corner > Choose Edit from the pop-up menu.

Step 3. Turn off the toggle next to iCloud Drive. Now, restart your device, return to the Files app, and then turn on iCloud Drive’s toggle.

Doing so will reset the iCloud drive’s access to the Files app, and you will be able to download your files once again.

9# Sign out of Apple ID and Sign back in

Still encountering issues downloading iCloud files on your iPhone or iPad? Don't worry; we have more reliable tricks to assist you. This time, try signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in. Just follow the steps below:

Go to the Settings app > Tap [your name] > Scroll down and tap Sign Out. When asked, do what is required and follow the on-screen instructions to sign out.

Quick Fix: Manually download iCloud Drive files to PC

To quickly troubleshoot your issue iCloud Drive files not downloading on iPhone, you can follow the instructions in this part to try manually downloading iCloud Drive files to your PC and transferring downloaded files to your iPhone.

To access iCloud Drive on a Windows PC, you'll need to install the FoneTool application. Once installed, you can access iCloud Drive files with no effort. Free download the software to your computer, and download iCloud Drive files in one-click.

Step 1. Install and launch FoneTool on your computer > Choose My iCloud > Sign in with your iCloud account > Enter the verification code to confirm.

Step 2. Choose Manage iCloud >  Click iCloud Drive > Preview and choose the files you'd like to download > Click the Download button to confrim.

Step 3. Choose a destination to save these iCloud Drive files > Finally, click Download again to start the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, encountering issues with iCloud Drive files not downloading from can be frustrating, but by following these solutions, you can troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Whether the issue is related to connectivity, storage, or software compatibility, these steps should help you get your files downloading smoothly from iCloud Drive.