Some iCloud users report photos missing, disappeared or not syncing

Launched in October 2011, Apple’s iCloud service allows users to sync their data to the cloud, such as contacts, photos, emails, notes, and much more.

Like any other cloud service provider, it also allows team members to collectively work on documents. One can also back up and track their iPhone and iPad devices.

The app comes pre-installed on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Apple device owners can also download and install a limited version of the iCloud on a Windows-based PC.

Last month, Apple also announced that users will be allowed to enable end-to-end encryption for their personalized data, such as photographs, notes, and important files, as well as iCloud Backups.

However, iCloud, like any other cloud service, may sometimes suffer from bugs or glitches.

According to reports (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10), multiple users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to sync data with the iCloud service.

Those affected have reported that their photos mysteriously vanished or did not sync at all while attempting to backup using the iCloud service.

Some seem to have lost their favorite photos and videos and feel sad or disappointed because of the issue.

A user on the Apple forum reported that even though they previously had about 37,000 photos, they now have access to only 8,000. Whereas another user on the forum complained that their entire photo album has been wiped out.

The Photos app has always worked flawlessly for me. I have a Sony DSLR that I sometimes upload photos from onto my Mac. Never had a problem before. Today I uploaded photos, and then edited two of them. Neither of these photos will upload to iCloud, they don’t even appear in the thumbnails when I try to upload them manually.
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My and my wife’s iCloud photos pre-2014 just disappeared a few years ago. I tried not to think about it but I’m deeply sad to have lost so many memories. Has anyone else experienced this with Apple and do you know if they can help?
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@AppleSupport Why have so many photos & videos disappeared from Photos and why is iCloud suddenly showing as “restoring”? 😳 Seems to have happened after upgrading Beta iOS yesterday.
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The issue seems to be prevalent on Apple devices across multiple platforms. This has caused problems for some as they no longer have access to their important data.

Furthermore, the bug may have caused a delay or a stumbling block in one’s work, which may have resulted in a decline in their productivity.

Such an issue with the ‘Sync’ feature makes one question the purpose of having cloud sync functionality on their devices.

Unfortunately, Apple has not yet officially acknowledged the issue. So, it looks like iCloud users will have to wait a bit more.

Also, there seems to be no possible workaround for the situation, as of now.

We hope that Apple will soon fix the sync bug and assist people in getting back their important data.

We’ll keep tabs on the data loss and sync issue with Apple’s iCloud service across multiple devices and update the article as soon as we come across any new information.

Featured image source: iCloud.

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