【As of 2024.12.17】 iCloud for Windows Not Functioning

Question

AlexTsui Author

Level 1

18 points

【As of 2024.12.17】 iCloud for Windows Not Functioning

Software: iCloud for Windows

App Version: 15.3.138

App Downloaded From: Microsoft Store

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (Version 24H2) (OS Build 26100.2605)

Issue Overview

Date Issue Started: 2024/12/17 (observed)

Symptoms:

iCloud for Windows is stuck on "Signing in" animation during startup. Synchronization between iCloud for Windows and other Apple devices has ceased to function. No new files originating from the Windows PC are seen on Apple devices, and no files from Apple devices are downloaded to the Windows PC. However, synchronization between all other Apple devices remains intact.

Details of Issues:

iCloud for Windows Stuck on Signing In:

- During startup, the app remains on "Signing in" animation endlessly. No network traffic indicates login transactions.

Synchronization Failures Across Services:

- iCloud Photos: Stuck on "Updating." No network activity indicates synchronization is occurring.
- iCloud Drive: Stuck on "Initializing." No network activity is observed.
- iCloud Passwords and Keychain: Authentication succeeds, but passwords never propagate. Previously, propagation took about 8 seconds.
- Bookmarks: Not actively used, but testing reveals no synchronization activity.
- Calendars and Contacts: Prompt indicating incorrect credentials despite correct multi-factor-authenticated credentials.
- iCloud Usage Statistics: Fails to display or update usage statistics. No network activity observed.

Steps Taken to Resolve:

Terminate and Reopen the App:

- Terminated the app via Windows Settings ➔ Apps ➔ Installed Apps. Reopened the app, but the "Signing in" animation persisted with no network traffic.

Repair the App:

- Repaired iCloud for Windows via Windows Settings ➔ Apps ➔ Installed Apps. The issue remained unchanged.

Reset the App:

Reset app data via Windows Settings ➔ Apps ➔ Installed Apps. Re-signed into iCloud using correct credentials.
- - iCloud Photos: Stuck on "Updating." No network activity.
  - iCloud Drive: Stuck on "Initializing." No network activity.
  - iCloud Passwords: Download message shown, but passwords do not appear.
  - Bookmarks: No synchronization observed.
Calendars and Contacts: "Incorrect credentials" prompt displayed despite correct authentication.

Other Remarks:

As a paying Apple One Premier/iCloud+ subscriber using Apple and Windows devices, I expect seamless functionality across supported platforms. While I recognize Apple’s focus is on its ecosystem, I believe services marketed as "officially supported" on Windows should operate reliably. This issue diminishes the cross-platform experience promised by Apple’s ecosystem and requires immediate attention to uphold service integrity.

I appreciate your efforts in addressing this and look forward to a resolution soon.

Windows, Windows 11 (26100)

Posted on Dec 28, 2024 5:01 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

CodyVegas

Level 1

38 points

Dec 30, 2024 9:39 AM in response to AlexTsui

Thank you for your post. I expanded on your steps to resolve and was able to get my iCloud to sync on Windows 11. I do not know which of these was the fix but here is what I did:

Changed Background app permissions to Always: Under Apps > Installed apps > iCloud - I changed the Background app permissions "Let this app run in the background" to "Always."
Reset - I used your steps to reset the app.
Original iCloud ID - I used my original xxxxx@mac.com iCloud ID that is in my Apple Settings under Apple Account. I was using my phone number and my alias @me.com previously.

Once I went through the setup, it is showing "Updating" and I am able see my photos in Microsoft Photos and folders in Windows Explorer. I am waiting on the complete sync to see if my files are there but so far, all the folders look correct.

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Answer 2

Feb 20, 2025 6:15 AM in response to CodyVegas

The Using my original apple id, which in my case was @me.com, I was using the new one, the @icloud.com

that was not working, at all, it had all the symptoms he say on this post.

This happens after the latest windows 11 update, the one on February 2025, it stops syncing

so if you are haven this issue with windows 11, 24h2, Log out, and log on with your original apple ID that fix mine, and I had try everything.

I hope this help you guys out, and please don't mess with the firewall, or security settings...

Thanks.

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Answer 3

Kweke83

Level 1

14 points

Feb 20, 2025 12:54 PM in response to CodyVegas

The XXXXX@mac.com was exactly the problem for me. I signed in with me.com and then icloud.com and it authenticated but wouldn't sync. Switching to @mac.com caused everything to come to life.

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Answer 4

AlexTsui Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 31, 2025 2:34 PM in response to AlexTsui

A solution has been found thanks to a different thread that was created.

I had to reset iCloud for Windows and sign-in with my Apple ID using the same case-sensitivity as shown on my Apple devices, such as my iPhone, iPad and Macbook Air.

I wish the same level of success for others who are experiencing the same issue.

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Answer 5

Jan 2, 2025 3:28 PM in response to AlexTsui

Came here to say the same thing @CodyVegas said. I did this on my own before seeing his reply. The trick is really

Changed Background app permissions to Always: Under

Apps > Installed apps > iCloud - I changed the Background app

permissions "Let this app run in the background" to "Always."

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Answer 6

Jan 5, 2025 1:02 AM in response to AlexTsui

Try running iCloud as Administrator. You should be able to get into that app that way.

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Answer 7

Ave1295

Level 1

20 points

Jan 1, 2025 8:23 AM in response to AlexTsui

Hello,

As @codyVegas said, it is the step 3 - use your original ID, that change everything :

iCloud For windows 11 does not sync and a… - Apple Community

To be honest, after the amount of times lost to have just my icloud drive sync due to a bug of ID, Apple should refund subscription!!!

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Answer 8

Dec 29, 2024 6:54 AM in response to AlexTsui

2024-12-29 Sun

I thoroughly agree with the above. It is obvious that at least several of us windows users have whatever this/these problem/problems is/are. So far neither Apple nor Microsoft have shown any reaction. I for one have been using iCloud on my two Windows laptops, my iPad and my iPhone for years. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, it no longer works on my W11 laptop. Various people have tried various solutions with some success, but without any obvious justification. The whole situation is extremely unsatisfactory. If one or the other of them require something to be updated, they should announce that.

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Answer 9

AlexTsui Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 4, 2025 7:43 PM in response to CodyVegas

Hi CodyVegas,

Happy New Year, and thank you for your detailed response. To address your points, here’s a summary of the steps I’ve already taken:

Changed the background app permissions to "Always" both before uninstalling iCloud and after reinstalling it.
Reset the app multiple times.
Tested every Apple ID (including ones ending with @iCloud.com) without success.

While I appreciate your suggestions, I’ve been unable to replicate the successes you mentioned, and the issue remains unresolved. Please let me know if there are any additional steps or insights you recommend.

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Answer 10

AlexTsui Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 5, 2025 1:45 PM in response to Solid_Jehuty

Hi Solid_Jehuty,

Thank you for your assistance.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app, run it as Administrator on the first launch, logged in using my original iCloud ID (the email address ending in @iCloud.com), and selected all the relevant options. Unfortunately, synchronisation still does not complete nor begin.

I appreciate your efforts in trying to help resolve this issue, but this issue has remained unresolved.

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