If iCloud files are not downloading on your iPhone 13 Pro, you have come to the right place. In this article, we’ll walk you through some steps to troubleshoot and fix iCloud files not showing up or downloading to your iPhone 13 Pro.
You can store files* in iCloud Drive as long as they’re 50GB or less in size and you don’t exceed your iCloud storage limit. Probably the most frustrating problem related to iCloud is the one that prevents users from downloading files. Having faced this annoyance myself the other day, I thought it would be apt to share the most useful tips to fix the iCloud files not downloading problem on your iPhone 13 Pro. If you have encountered the iCloud files downloading issue, check out these best tips and tricks to resolve the issue right now.
What’s Preventing You From Downloading iCloud Files on iPhone 13 Pro?
A poor internet connection is usually the main reason why iCloud files often fail to download on iPhone 13 Pro. If you are dealing with large files, make sure you have a strong and stable cellular/ Wi-Fi connection. Besides, outdated settings and software glitches could also be responsible for the iCloud files not downloading on iPhone 13 Pro.
Therefore, we not only dig into the Settings but also try to troubleshoot software-related glitches that have become part and parcel of iOS 15. You can check out the common iOS 15 problems and their solutions using the linked article.
Ways to fix iCloud files not downloading on iPhone 13 Pro
Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
1. Turn Off/ On Airplane Mode
As mentioned above, a sluggish internet connection might be the primary culprit behind this problem. When it comes to fixing slow or ill-functioning radios, the airplane mode is my go-to solution. So, let’s start with this one.
Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to access the Control Center and tap the airplane mode icon to turn it on. Now, wait a few seconds and tap the airplane mode icon again to turn it off.
2. Ensure The Files App Can Use Mobile Data
iOS 15 and older versions allow you to manage apps’ access to cellular data (and check the data usage on iPhone). As a result, you can allow only selected apps to use your cellular data to prevent unnecessary data consumption. Make sure the Files app can use cellular/ mobile data on your iPhone.
Head to the Settings app on your iPhone 13 and tap Mobile/ Cellular.
Now, scroll down and ensure that the toggle next to Files is turned on.
See also: iPhone 13 Pro Cellular Data Not Working? Here’s The Fix
3. Restart Your iPhone
The issue could be with your iPhone or 13 Pro, and not iCloud itself. Several iOS-related issues can be resolved by simply restarting the device. Restarting your phone should fix sluggish cellular data speeds, especially if you haven’t turned it off in a while. Hence, reboot your device and try to download iCloud files again.
Press and hold the side button, plus either the Volume Up or Volume Down button, until Slide to Power Off appears. After you power off your iPhone, hold the side button again to turn it back on.
4. Turn Off/ On iCloud Drive
Many a time, you can troubleshoot certain issues related to iCloud Drive by turning off/ on the service from the Settings app. Thus, it would be wise to give this nifty solution a try as well. Here’s how it works:
Open the Settings app on your iPhone 13 and tap on your profile icon at the top.
Next, select iCloud and turn off the “iCloud Drive” toggle on the next page.
Now, restart your device. After your device has rebooted, go back to the iCloud setting and turn on the iCloud Drive toggle. This, along with the network reset, should help you get rid of the iCloud files not downloading issue.
5. Turn Off/ On iCloud Drive in Apple Files
Apple Files app allows you to manage all the cloud storage services you have added to the stock file manager app, including Apple’s iCloud Drive. Thus, depending on your needs, you can allow/ disallow any cloud storage app’s access to the Files app. Use this option to turn off/ on iCloud Drive inside the Apple Files app; here’s how:
- Launch the Apple Files app on your iPhone 13 Pro and move to the “Browse” tab using the bottom navigation bar.
- Now, tap on the tiny circle with three horizontal dots at the top-right corner of the screen and choose “Edit” from the pop-up menu.
- Next, 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.
6. Reset Your Phone’s Network Settings
Resetting your network settings often fixes wi-fi and cellular network issues, but it’s a more drastic step. Doing this resets everything related to networking to its default. This includes removing your Wi-Fi access points, Bluetooth devices, and similar. Losing these isn’t the end of the world, but you will have to reconnect to saved Wi-Fi networks and re-pair your Bluetooth devices later.
To reset network settings on an iPhone, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Your phone will prompt you for your passcode if you have one, then it will restart to perform the operation.
7. Check Apple’s System Status
The next step to take when your iPhone 13 Pro cannot download iCloud files is to check that Apple’s systems are all online. Go to Apple’s System Status website and make sure every iCloud-related service has a green circle next to it.
Different shapes in yellow or red mean Apple is experiencing problems with that service. If iCloud is currently unavailable, there’s nothing you can do but wait for Apple to fix the issue.
8. Sign Out Of Apple ID and Sign Back In
Still can’t download iCloud files on your iPhone 13 Pro? Issues with your Apple account could also be the reason why you’re unable to download files from iCloud. This time, we’re going to sign out of iCloud on your iPhone, then sign in again. To do this:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name].
- Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
- If prompted, enter your Apple ID password to Turn Off Find My.
- Choose what data to keep on your device—anything you don’t keep is still saved to iCloud—then tap Sign Out.
- Return to Settings to sign in again using your Apple ID details. Now, try downloading files from your iCloud drive, and you shouldn’t face any issues.
9. Reset All Settings
A factory reset in iOS 15 not only lets you fix settings but also persistent issues like this one. Hence, we will reset all settings to try and fix the iCloud file download issue. Just in case you are worried that it will erase all your apps, media, and data, let me tell you that it will only put your device to factory default by wiping out the existing settings. All your data will remain intact. So let’s see how to reset your iPhone settings:
- Go to the Settings app and choose General.
- Now, scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Next, tap Reset and choose Reset All Settings.
- If prompted, enter your device and Screen Time Passcode and then select “Reset All Settings” again in the pop-up menu to confirm the action.
10. Update Software on Your iPhone
Recently, software bugs are behind most problems cropping up on iPhones. If none of the tips above helped fix the iCloud files not downloading problem, it might be caused due to a software bug. Thus, updating the software may probably resolve the issue. So let’s take a look at how to do that:
- Head to the Settings app on your device and tap on “General“.
- Now, tap on “Software Update” and wait for some time to let your device check for the software update. Finally, tap “Download and Install“ if an update is available and follow the usual instructions to get the latest version of iOS
Still unable to download files from iCloud on to your iPhone 13 Pro? It’s time to get in touch with official Apple Support. You can also call or e-mail them about your queries and hopefully get it resolved, and by the way if they give you any tips or solutions that work, please share them in the comments here!
Force Download iCloud Files on iPhone 13 Pro
We hope resolved the issues involving downloading iCloud files to your iPhone 13 Pro. Which of these troubleshooting methods we discussed here worked for you? Know any other steps that you think we missed out? Did you find another solution? Do share your thoughts and experience in the comments section down below.