Mac won't sync files to icloud drive, but it will "folders"

[debudebu]

Somehow I can't get Finder files to sync from Mac Mojave to icloud. The weird thing is, I can create a folder in Finder - icloud and that folder will instantly propagate to my Ipad's files app - icloud folder. Yet, when I go back to my Mac and put *any file* into that folder it won't show up as available on any ios device ---- Files app --- Icloud. So essentially, folders will sync and files won't.

In the video, you can see the folder instantly shows up. Then I go back to my Mac and copy (from desktop) to that icloud folder and it won't show up on device. I've been going at this for DAYS trying all kinds of files and it's driving me nuts.

I've logged out of icloud on the Mac, deselected desktop/documents app sync reselected it. I've tried this with Terminal: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/313716/icloud-drive-wont-sync-on-mac I've thought maybe it's something to do with permissions somewhere, a Little Snitch setting, or maybe a weird emoji in some file in icloud that's compatible with Mac, but not ios. That wouldn't be right though as it's the other way around, some ios emoji aren't compatible with older Macos.

You can see in the video icloud drive is syncing fine from ipad to Mac as the folders are ios app sandboxed backup files. Why will *folders* sync from Mac Finder and files won't.

I should be able to easily sync a file like this right? Or did icloud drive updates break syncing a file on Mojave, or what else could it be?

 

[rickyalan]

Did you try adding a file on any of your iOS devices to check if it syncs correctly? I experienced the same situation months ago, finally fixed it by rebooting both my iMac & iPad, and re-login iCloud on both devices.

 

[debudebu]

Yep, it syncs fine when adding a file into a "folder I created" in the ios Files app, left pane inside the icloud drive folder. That file also, shows up on iclouddrive.com web UI.

Yet when I put a file in that same Icloud drive folder in Mac Finder - Icloud drive - "folder I created, it doesn't show up on ios in that same icloud drive folder. Only works ios - to Mac and not the reverse. ??‍♂️

I've logged out of iCloud on every device and back in and restarted. I've run disk utility on the Mac drives, pram resets, etc and . I'd just update from Mojave, but can't because there are some specific apps I use that wouldn't be compatible.

 

[Yoms]

Hi,

I was about to post about a similar thread, but I found yours before.

I have EXACTLY the same problem although I'm on Big Sur 11.5.2 (latest release when writing this).

Also, the problem appeared after a clean install of Big Sur. I used to be on Monterey Public Beta, but decided to downgrade.

Have you started observing the issue after a clean install as well?
Or have you managed to deal with your issue since early august?

 

[debudebu]

I really wish I could help you out on this one. Have tried so many things including making another user resetting pram, icloud logging in and out. etc etc. I haven't done a clean install though since making a new user with no apps installed should be similar. Hope you can sort it and if you do please reply here. I'll do the same.

 

[0128672]

I have some questions about this:

1. For your test file that you're copying or moving from your Mac to iCloud Drive, in what app did you create this file?
2. Does that uploaded file show as grayed out on your iOS device or is it not there at all?
3. For the app you created the file with on your Mac, do you have the same app on your iOS device?
4. Your Mac is running Mojave. What iOS version(s) are your iPhone and iPad?
5. It's not clear from your description, but can you upload a file not within a folder from your Mac to iCloud Drive and have it available on an iOS device?

I've tested this in Big Sur (and Monterey) from my M1 Mac to my iPad (15 beta) and iPhone (14.7), and it works fine.

Also just an FYI that you referenced iclouddrive.com, but there's no such site; it's icloud.com, which is what I think you may have meant.

 

[Yoms]

I really wish I could help you out on this one. Have tried so many things including making another user resetting pram, icloud logging in and out. etc etc. I haven't done a clean install though since making a new user with no apps installed should be similar. Hope you can sort it and if you do please reply here. I'll do the same.

Thanks for getting back.
Are you implying that since July 21st, you've been still facing that issue???

 

[Yoms]

I have some questions about this:

1. For your test file that you're copying or moving from your Mac to iCloud Drive, in what app did you create this file?

Any app. It doesn't matter. You can simply create a txt file in Finder for what it's worth.

2. Does that uploaded file show as grayed out on your iOS device or is it not there at all?

Not there at all

3. For the app you created the file with on your Mac, do you have the same app on your iOS device?

As per answer to #1, this is not relevant. It's not an app-related issue.

4. Your Mac is running Mojave. What iOS version(s) are your iPhone and iPad?

It's not Mojave-related. I have the issue on latest Big Sur release.

5. It's not clear from your description, but can you upload a file not within a folder from your Mac to iCloud Drive and have it available on an iOS device?

Nope. We basically end up with an empty tree

I've tested this in Big Sur (and Monterey) from my M1 Mac to my iPad (15 beta) and iPhone (14.7), and it works fine.

It's definitely not OS-related.

Also just an FYI that you referenced iclouddrive.com, but there's no such site; it's icloud.com, which is what I think you may have meant.

That's what he meant indeed.

 

[debudebu]

I have some questions about this:

1. For your test file that you're copying or moving from your Mac to iCloud Drive, in what app did you create this file?
2. Does that uploaded file show as grayed out on your iOS device or is it not there at all?
3. For the app you created the file with on your Mac, do you have the same app on your iOS device?
4. Your Mac is running Mojave. What iOS version(s) are your iPhone and iPad?
5. It's not clear from your description, but can you upload a file not within a folder from your Mac to iCloud Drive and have it available on an iOS device?

I've tested this in Big Sur (and Monterey) from my M1 Mac to my iPad (15 beta) and iPhone (14.7), and it works fine.

Also just an FYI that you referenced iclouddrive.com, but there's no such site; it's icloud.com, which is what I think you may have meant.

@Yoms, yep this has been around that long. I finally just bought an app's native sync so I don't have to go through icloud. It's a waste though.

I can create a new file in TextEdit and save into Finder, try old jpgs, audio files, pdfs, whatever, none will show up on ios. They aren't grayed out, they just don't show up.

Nope, don't have TextEdit on ios, or the same audio DAW or Preview.

iOS is 14.7 on ipad and 14.7.1 on phone.

Nope, I can't get any file to show up whether it's in a folder or not. I've tried with every file type I can imagine.

Yes, you're right. I meant Icloud.com. I don't normally use the website.

Any ideas here?

 

[Yoms]

Any ideas here?

As for me, after around 2 weeks without doing anything, files just uploaded 3 nights ago. I insist, I absolutely did nothing special but waiting (it was ok as I also have a TM backup).
I cannot say why waiting solved it, what was the cause as the issue was definitely on Apple's side, not mine.

 

[debudebu]

Had the folders that would sync full of files that won't on a fresh user account, I think it's icloud here too. Glad you sorted yours!

 

[duriem]

Having this issue on new MBP / Monterey. New Folders sync immediately but the files within that folder do not.

was there a consensus on best solution?

 

[debudebu]

Oh no and on a new machine. My solution was going to be just get an m1 eventually since I'm still having this. If you do figure it out, PLEASE update here!

 

[Yoms]

Having this issue on new MBP / Monterey. New Folders sync immediately but the files within that folder do not.

was there a consensus on best solution?

As I wrote about my situation, there was no solution. It uploaded on its own after 2 weeks, but I did nothing. Just waited.

If problem persists after 2-3 weeks, I suggest to call Apple and see if they can remotely trigger a force sync command.

 

[duriem]

I think I have fixed it, though time will tell
Very inconvenient - had to back everything up that hadn't sync'd on my machine, disable my iCloud account on the device (including warnings that it will delete everything in iCloud drive from the local machine, which is concerning given that the local copy has data that isn't in iCloud due to this issue). I then re-enabled iCloud, downloaded everything that was stored remotely, then replaced it with my local copy (ensuring I didn't overwrite any new files which weren't in the local copy), and upload it all again ?

At least now it seems to be synchronising properly. Will update if I encounter any ongoing issues.

 

[duriem]

Frustratingly discovered in the process of doing this I have somehow ended up with 18k duplicate files, all named "* 2.***" now in the process of finding and deleting these. Pretty astounded Apple can stuff iCloud drive up so monumentally - was using it exactly as described, just selecting "Desktop and Documents" in the preferences to share all files across devices.