Table of Contents

How to Recover Videos from iCloud: A Comprehensive Guide

Losing precious video memories can feel like a gut punch, especially when you thought they were safely backed up in the cloud. Fortunately, recovering videos from iCloud is often possible, provided you act swiftly and understand the available methods. The core process involves accessing your iCloud account through a web browser, your iPhone/iPad, or a computer, navigating to the appropriate section (Photos, Recently Deleted, or iCloud Drive), and then downloading the desired videos. Now, let’s dive deeper into the how-to!

Accessing iCloud: Your Gateway to Video Recovery

Before attempting any recovery methods, it’s crucial to ensure you’re accessing the correct iCloud account. Double-check the Apple ID associated with your device and iCloud settings. Once confirmed, you have several access points:

iCloud.com: This is the web interface, accessible from any device with a browser.
Photos App on iPhone/iPad: Integrates directly with iCloud Photos.
iCloud for Windows: A dedicated application for Windows users.
iCloud Drive on Mac: Accessible through Finder on macOS.

Method 1: Recovering Videos from iCloud Photos

iCloud Photos is the primary location for storing and syncing your videos. Here’s how to recover videos from within it:

Access iCloud Photos: On a computer, go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. On an iPhone/iPad, open the Photos app.
Locate the Video: Browse through your albums, moments, or the entire library to find the video you’re looking for.
Download the Video: On iCloud.com, select the video and click the download icon (usually a cloud with a downward-pointing arrow). On an iPhone/iPad, tap the video and then tap the share icon (a box with an upward-pointing arrow). Select Save Video to save it to your device’s camera roll.

Recovering from the “Recently Deleted” Album

Just like a recycle bin on your computer, iCloud Photos has a “Recently Deleted” album. Videos stay in this album for 30 days before being permanently deleted.

Access “Recently Deleted”: On iCloud.com, click on “Photos” and then look for the “Recently Deleted” album in the sidebar. On an iPhone/iPad, open the Photos app, tap “Albums” at the bottom, and scroll down to “Recently Deleted.”
Select and Recover: Select the video you want to recover.
Click “Recover”: Click the “Recover” button. The video will be restored to its original location in your iCloud Photos library.

Method 2: Recovering Videos from iCloud Drive

If you store your videos directly in iCloud Drive (outside of the Photos app), the recovery process is slightly different.

Access iCloud Drive: On a computer, go to iCloud.com and click on “iCloud Drive.” On a Mac, open Finder and select “iCloud Drive” in the sidebar. On an iPhone/iPad, use the Files app and select “iCloud Drive” as the location.
Locate the Video: Navigate through your folders to find the video you want to recover.
Download the Video: On iCloud.com, select the video and click the download icon. On a Mac, simply drag the video from iCloud Drive to your desktop or another folder. On an iPhone/iPad, tap the video, then tap the share icon, and choose “Save Video” to save it to your device.

Checking the “Recently Deleted” Folder in iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive also has a “Recently Deleted” folder, separate from the one in iCloud Photos.

Access “Recently Deleted”: On iCloud.com, open iCloud Drive and look for the “Recently Deleted” folder in the sidebar. On a Mac, open Finder, select iCloud Drive, and look for “Recently Deleted.” On iPhone/iPad, in the Files app, tap “Browse”, then “Locations”, then “iCloud Drive”, and finally, “Recently Deleted.”
Select and Recover: Select the video you want to recover.
Click “Recover”: Click the “Recover” button (or tap “Recover” on an iPhone/iPad). The video will be restored to its original location in iCloud Drive.

Method 3: Using iCloud for Windows

If you use iCloud for Windows, you can access your iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive files directly from your computer. The recovery process mirrors the methods described above for iCloud.com and iCloud Drive. Simply navigate to the relevant folders and download or recover your videos as needed. Ensure iCloud for Windows is properly installed and synced.

Method 4: Third-Party Data Recovery Software (Use with Caution)

In some cases, if the above methods fail, you might consider using third-party data recovery software. However, exercise extreme caution when using such tools. Many are unreliable, contain malware, or violate your privacy. If you choose this route, research thoroughly and only use reputable software. Typically, these tools work by attempting to recover files from your local backups (if you have any) or by directly accessing your iCloud account (which requires granting them access to your Apple ID and password – a significant security risk). This method is generally not recommended unless all other options are exhausted.

Important Considerations:

Act Quickly: The sooner you attempt to recover a deleted video, the higher your chances of success. After 30 days in the “Recently Deleted” album, videos are permanently deleted.
Sufficient Storage: Ensure you have enough available storage on your device or computer to download the recovered videos.
Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is essential for accessing iCloud and downloading videos.
Backup Regularly: The best way to avoid data loss is to maintain regular backups of your important videos. Consider using iCloud backup, local backups to your computer, or both.
iCloud Photo Library enabled: Ensure you have iCloud Photo Library enabled on your iPhone/iPad. Otherwise, your photos will only be backed up locally on your phone.
Two-Factor Authentication: Enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your iCloud account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long do videos stay in the “Recently Deleted” album in iCloud Photos?

Videos stay in the “Recently Deleted” album for 30 days. After that, they are permanently deleted.

2. Can I recover videos that have been permanently deleted from iCloud?

Unfortunately, once videos are permanently deleted from iCloud (after 30 days in “Recently Deleted”), they are very difficult, if not impossible, to recover. That’s why it’s crucial to act quickly.

3. Will recovering a video from iCloud use up my iCloud storage?

No, recovering a video from iCloud will not use up your iCloud storage. The video was already stored in your iCloud account. You are simply downloading a copy of it to your device or computer.

4. I accidentally deleted a video from my iPhone, but it’s not in the “Recently Deleted” album. Where did it go?

If a video is not in the “Recently Deleted” album, it’s possible that:

It was deleted more than 30 days ago.
It was never synced to iCloud Photos in the first place.
There was a syncing issue between your device and iCloud.

5. How do I prevent videos from being automatically deleted from iCloud?

To prevent videos from being automatically deleted, ensure you have enough iCloud storage to accommodate all your photos and videos. Also, regularly check your “Recently Deleted” album and recover any videos you want to keep before they are permanently deleted. Regularly backing up your device is also a good practice.

6. Can I recover videos from iCloud without a computer?

Yes, you can recover videos from iCloud directly from your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple devices using the Photos app or the Files app (for iCloud Drive).

7. Is it possible to recover videos from a disabled iCloud account?

Recovering videos from a disabled iCloud account is extremely difficult. You will need to contact Apple Support and provide proof of ownership of the account. Even then, recovery is not guaranteed.

8. How do I know if my videos are being backed up to iCloud Photos?

To check if your videos are being backed up to iCloud Photos, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos on your iPhone/iPad and make sure the “iCloud Photos” toggle is turned on. Also, ensure that your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery life for the backup to complete.

9. Can I recover videos from a shared iCloud album?

If you are the owner of the shared album, you can recover deleted videos from the “Recently Deleted” album within your main iCloud Photos library. If you are a participant in the shared album, you can only recover videos that you personally added to the album, provided they are still in your own “Recently Deleted” album.

10. I’m being asked for two-factor authentication to access my iCloud account. What is that?

Two-factor authentication is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your Apple ID. When enabled, you’ll need to enter a verification code (sent to your trusted devices or phone number) in addition to your password when signing in to your iCloud account. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your account, even if someone knows your password.

11. How do I free up space in iCloud without deleting my videos?

You can free up space in iCloud by:

Deleting unnecessary files: Remove old documents, backups, or other files you no longer need.
Optimizing storage on your iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and enable “Optimize iPhone Storage.” This will store smaller, optimized versions of your photos and videos on your device while keeping the original, full-resolution versions in iCloud.
Upgrading your iCloud storage plan: If you consistently run out of space, consider upgrading to a larger storage plan.

12. What do I do if I can’t remember my Apple ID password?

If you can’t remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it by going to iforgot.apple.com and following the instructions. You’ll typically need to verify your identity using your email address, security questions, or two-factor authentication.