Arch Linux

MAYBL8

Member

Registered: 2022-01-14

Posts: 286

Arch Linux and iCloud Drive for Linux

I have recently had a need to copy files from a partial failed Mac hard drive to the persons iCloud Drive.
So I got access to their account with their permission of course and opened the iCloud Drive in my browser and was going to copy the files from the drive to the iCloud Drive.
What I discovered was that I could upload files from a folder but not upload a folder.
I had to manually create the folder by typing the name and then open the folder and copy the files into it.
This proved to be a real problem because the person had hundreds of folders and manually creating the folders was very time consuming.
I searched the web and could not find the answer I was looking for to make this easier using my Arch Linux.

So what I found out that Windows has a iCloud for Windows that lets me copy the folders and files more easily.
The only problem there was Windows cannot read a Mac hard drive so I had to install a program that costs money to be able to see the Mac hard drive in Windows.

I know hardly anyone is probably doing what I am doing so there is no support for this process.

I just wanted to discuss it here and see if anyone knew of a easier way at this time.

I also could probably do this with the persons MacBook but I don't have access to it. All I have is the physical hard drive.

I really wanted to do the process from Linux but as of now it is too time consuming to make it workable.

What I would like to do is drag and drop the folders from the Mac hard drive to the iCloud folders.
That is what Windows is allowing me to do even though I had to get addition software to do it.

If I find a better solution to this I will post it here.

Please add to my discussion or way in on this topic if it would help me or others that might need this to solve their issue.

Thanks

mackin_cheese

Member

Registered: 2025-01-07

Posts: 146

Re: Arch Linux and iCloud Drive for Linux

And what research have you done so far regarding this issue?

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,324

Re: Arch Linux and iCloud Drive for Linux

How are you reading the drive in the first place?  Are you connecting it to a Linux box and mounting it somehow?

Having never attempted this, I would try this approach:

Install aur/apfs-fuse-git and see if you can connect the drive to your system and mount it.  Copy the files of interest to a Linux file system on your computer.  Use tools such as scp, rsync or sftp to migrate those files to wherever you need to put them over a local network.  Is there a reason you need to use iCloud?  The mac can use the aforementioned tools just fine.

Edit:  Moved to Networking, Server and Protection for now.

Last edited by ewaller (2025-01-16 17:42:31)

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MAYBL8

Member

Registered: 2022-01-14

Posts: 286

Re: Arch Linux and iCloud Drive for Linux

And what research have you done so far regarding this issue?

Research I have done is google searching asking the question "transferring files from Linux to iCloud"  "iCloud for Windows" as an example of questions I've searched on.

I have found various posts with no solution as of right now.

I am trying to use iCloud for Windows but iCloud Drive keeps telling me the "folder is empty" when I know it is not.
Searching for answers to that tells me check internet speed which is not an issue here . I have 200mbs download speed. 20mbs upload speed.
I know 20 is low but should be ok for what I am doing.

I also get the message "Sync pending".

MAYBL8

Member

Registered: 2022-01-14

Posts: 286

Re: Arch Linux and iCloud Drive for Linux

How are you reading the drive in the first place?  Are you connecting it to a Linux box and mounting it somehow?

Having never attempted this, I would try this approach:

Install aur/apfs-fuse-git and see if you can connect the drive to your system and mount it.  Copy the files of interest to a Linux file system on your computer.  Use tools such as scp, rsync or sftp to migrate those files to wherever you need to put them over a local network.  Is there a reason you need to use iCloud?  The mac can use the aforementioned tools just fine.

Edit:  Moved to Networking, Server and Protection for now.

I have the drive attached with a usb to sata adapter.

Yes connected to my Arch Linux system.

The files need to be put in the person's iCloud Drive for storage purposes.

Last edited by MAYBL8 (2025-01-16 21:44:34)