iCloud & iCloud Photos · iCloud Drive basics

Does iCloud Drive keep older versions of my files?

Short answer: Only in limited ways: iCloud Drive syncs the latest copy, and edits and deletions reach every device. Apps like Pages offer Browse All Versions, and iCloud.com can restore recently deleted files. For real history use Time Machine or Data Backup.

Only in limited ways. iCloud Drive isn't a versioned backup: it keeps the latest copy of each file in sync, and a change or deletion reaches every device. Some help exists:

  • Apps that save versions (such as Pages, Numbers, Keynote and TextEdit) let you use File → Revert To → Browse All Versions for documents they created.
  • Recently deleted files can be restored from iCloud.com for a while.

For real file history, use Time Machine or Storage Studio's Data Backup, which keeps earlier versions of the folders you choose — see Backups and is iCloud Drive a backup.

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