I know this must be incredibly stressful.
I’m no expert with this. In fact, I had a similar scare recently.
I learned that I could make a Archive file of my icloud storage before
trying to fix things that could result in lost files.
If you have a time machine backup there is every reason to believe your
data is there and with some fiddling you will be able to get it back.
Apple or folks here should be able to talk you through that.
I remember the sinking feeling when I thought I lost my data, but once
I calmed down and thought it through I found the solution and despite the
dimmed files in your timemachine, I think they are there waiting.
Eric Caron
> On Jan 20, 2026, at 12:01 AM, mr.robertcole via MacVisionaries
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Hello,
> I am shocked and dissapointed with iCloud Drive.
> First I noticed that files in my Documents folder were duplicated for
> example, File.txt File 1.txt File 2.txt.
> After checking the original file to make sure it was OK, I deleted the
> duplicates.
> Now I noticed Many of my folders are empty, or only contain one file.
> It took me a while to notice this. so I checked my MacBook and my iPhone.
> they both are the same as my Mac.
> The missing files are not showing in recently deleted on iCloud.com.
> I tried to copy themissing files from a backup back to the iCloud folder,
> only to get error 0 operation failed.
> Can someone tell me what in the world is going on?
> I have a time machine backup, but all the restore dates listed is dim.
> Thanks in advance,
> Rob
>
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