How do I recover 200-300GB of iCloud files deleted 28 days ago without crashing Safari?

Question

How do I recover 200-300GB of iCloud files deleted 28 days ago without crashing Safari?

Has anyone had iCloud delete massive amounts of files approximately 200-300gb where trying to restore the files by using iCloud Data recovery will crash Safari’s web browser?

*This issue stems from files being deleted on iCloud & on my MacBook Pro. Be that a cyber attack or OS upgrade, 28 days ago the files were deleted on 13NOV2025 and I called apple support and they could not revert my iCloud back to the data from 13NOV2025.

*I am currently at the Apple Store using their internet connection; and right about 29,000 files being restored it crashes Safari. Last night I was on the phone with Apple tech support for 2 hours and have tried to restore via iCloud.com/recovery.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Is it possible for iCloud batch recovery by date, almost like a Time Machine restore for iCloud?

Mac Pro (2019)

Posted on Dec 13, 2025 10:09 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

muguy

Level 10

91,166 points

Dec 13, 2025 10:50 AM in response to VibranceAudio

If you sync using iCloud drive, any recoverable files should still be in the trash on your Mac. Otherwise you can recover from your Time Machine or similar backup (if you optimize storage only those files on your Mac are backed up). Or, you can recover the files yourself by selecting smaller batches.

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Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

91,166 points

Dec 13, 2025 1:32 PM in response to VibranceAudio

No. Icloud is not a backup but a synchronization service. Your backup is on an external drive where you keep copied of your files by directly copying, or by using Time Machine (or similar).

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Answer 3

Dec 13, 2025 11:39 AM in response to muguy

The files are essentially in an iCloud Drive trash bin to say the least, they have been deleted from my computer, iPhone, and iCloud Drive when they were there previously from 13NOV2025. I do not have a physical Time Machine backup as the drive was destroyed. I ensured they were backed up, and I was able to pull the files over to my laptop after a reset using iCloud before this.

Apple has no idea why or how the files have been erased without a trace or explanation.

However it shows that Apple iCloud has saved them in recovery until today (30days and they are scheduled for permanent deletion today).

To clarify I am asking if there is a way to select a date and have it automatically revert to a specific iCloud backup vs having it scan every file and crash the safari browser, be that through what I can do or Apple support?

Thank you & have a blessed day,

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Answer 4

Dec 13, 2025 1:42 PM in response to muguy

Unfortunately those files were corrupted from an individual(s) breaking into my home and placing a magnet on my hard drive that I had for backup. iCloud was my last and only option at this point. Disheartening to hear that the files exist currently but within a few hours are to be permanently deleted. Apple is not able to relay back to me or investigators where and how the files were removed, and why they were unable to be restored. It is clear that the current secure backup & synchronization options are not compatible or available in 2025 with Apple.

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