iCloud files not downloading on iPhone? 12 tips on how to solve the problem

You hide files in iCloud so you don’t clutter up your iPhone’s local storage. Thus, you can download from there only what you need at will. But what happens when iCloud file upload fails? This means that you cannot access your files exactly when you need them. It’s frustrating!

Are your files not downloading from iCloud on your iPhone? The following solutions will help you.

1. Make sure you have a stable internet connection
2. Check target storage
3. Enable/Disable Airplane Mode
4. Restart your iPhone
5. Check Apple System Status
6. Check if the Files app has access to mobile data
7. Enable/Disable iCloud Drive in iCloud
8. Make sure the Files app has access to iCloud Drive.
9. Uninstall and reinstall the Files app.
10. Sign out and sign back in with your Apple ID
11. Restore network settings
12. Report to Apple Support

1. Make sure you have a stable internet connection

As with normal downloads, restoring files from iCloud requires a stable internet connection. When you try to download an iCloud-based file, iCloud Drive may warn you that you’re offline if your mobile data or Wi-Fi is turned off. So if you get the message “You’re offline”, check if your mobile data or Wi-Fi connection is active.

This may not trigger a warning if your connection is only hovering and not completely down. If the download progress circle does not move or freezes after the download starts, you can check that your mobile data or Wi-Fi connection is stable.

Also, your mobile data may have expired or you may be in an area with a low internet connection. So try changing your location and restart the download.

2. Check the target storage

Files may fail to download from iCloud if your local storage is depleted. To check local storage:

1. Open iPhone Settings → General → iPhone Storage.
2. You will see the total storage space you have used in the top right corner.
3. The colors in the usage bar indicate the amount of space each feature takes up on your iPhone.
4. You’ll also see how much space each app is taking up by scrolling down this menu.

If you find that your iPhone storage is full, consider deleting some unused files. Or try transferring heavy files to your computer via iTunes. Try uploading files later.

3. Turn on / off the flight mode

Another easy way to speed up downloads is to turn Airplane Mode on and off on your iPhone. While turning Airplane Mode off will deactivate your phone network or any Wi-Fi connection, turning it back on helps refresh and restore your wireless or mobile data connection.

1. Open Control Center.
2. Tap the airplane mode icon to turn it on.
3. Wait a few seconds and turn it off.

Try downloading the file from iCloud again. If that doesn’t work, there are a couple of neat tricks that work.

4. Restart your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone helps clear its RAM and start over. Cluttered RAM sometimes causes apps to freeze. And it can also affect the iCloud file upload process since the Files app is also an iPhone app.

5. Check Apple system status

If files still won’t download from iCloud on your iPhone, don’t panic. After all, the root of the problem may be beyond your control.

The Apple System Server may not be available. So, you want to check the iCloud server status for confirmation. The process is simple:

Go to the Apple Support System Status page. If all features (especially those related to iCloud) are marked with a green dot, then the problem may be on your end and not Apple.

Otherwise, a red or yellow dot indicates a system error. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do on your end to fix the problem. Therefore, you will have to wait for Apple to resolve this issue before trying the download again.

6. Check if the Files app has access to mobile data.

So this solution is applicable if you are using a mobile data connection. The Files app contains the iCloud Drive you’re trying to upload files to. Therefore, your download may continue to fail if you have deactivated it from mobile data usage.

1. Open Settings on iPhone → Mobile Data.
2. Scroll through the apps in the next menu.
3. Then turn on the activation toggle to the right of “Files”if it’s turned off. Tip: You can also toggle the activation switch on and off to refresh your iCloud Drive connection.

7. Turn on/off iCloud Drive in iCloud.

The logic behind this trick is to re-establish a connection to the iCloud server. While iCloud Drive should not be disabled once activated, it can be caused by some basic bugs. And worse, you could even disable iCloud Drive in iCloud.

1. Open your iPhone settings.
2. Tap the Apple ID banner at the top → iCloud.
3. Turn on the iCloud Drive toggle to turn it on if it’s turned off.
4. If the iCloud Drive switch is on, turn it on and off to reconnect to your iCloud files.

8. Make sure the Files app has access to iCloud Drive.

So you don’t see the iCloud Drive option when you open the Files app? You probably haven’t set it up to access your iCloud Drive. This way you won’t even have access to the files you have stored in iCloud. However, even if iCloud Drive is showing up in your files, you may need to reconnect them in order to fix the upload failure issue.

1. Go to the Files app.
2. Click “Browse”in the lower right corner.
3. Then tap the “More”icon in the top right corner (three horizontal dots).
4. Select Change from the options.
5. Then turn on the switch to the right of iCloud Drive. Tip: Turn the iCloud Drive switch on and off, even if it’s active.

9. Uninstall and reinstall the Files app.

The Files app on your iPhone may have incorrect caching or reveal a system error. While the logic behind this solution isn’t clear, it works for most people. Read this iPhone app uninstall article to learn how to uninstall and reinstall the Files app.

10. Sign out and sign back in to your Apple ID.

Signing out and back in with your Apple ID can also help refresh the connection to your iCloud account and speed up your downloads.

1. Go to your iPhone settings.
2. Tap the Apple ID banner at the top.
3. Scroll down and click Sign Out.
4. Enter your Apple ID password. Then click “Turn off”in the upper right corner.

To sign in again, repeat the above process, but this time, tap on the Sign In option. Then enter your Apple ID and password.

11. Restore network settings

VPNs and proxy servers can also prevent you from downloading your files from iCloud. However, network repair not only removes them, but also refreshes your network, giving it a fresh start.

1. Go to “Settings”on iPhone → “General”→ “Transfer or reset iPhone”.
2. Tap Reset → Reset Network Settings.
3. Then enter your iPhone passcode and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Note. This will also reset Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth devices, etc., so write down all the necessary details.

12. Report Apple Support

I hope you don’t get to this point. But don’t worry if you did. Reporting a problem to Apple Support is usually the final solution, especially if all other tricks don’t work.

So while you may not know the root cause of iCloud files not downloading, Apple Support will provide possible causes and may suggest a solution. Make sure you contact Apple Support using all proper procedures to get a prompt response.

Failed iCloud file uploads can be frustrating. But these solutions work if you follow them properly. Are your files already coming from iCloud? Let me know in the comments section below.