Missing files in iPad's Files App

It seems there is a severe bug in iPadOS 17 with the Files app and PDF files with image layers (the stuff written with an Apple Pencil is added as an image layer to a PDF). I've started to use the Documents app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/documents-file-manager-vpn/id364901807.

It's pretty easy to backup/copy the annotated PDFs to Google Drive, Dropbox, Box or OneDrive.

SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME!

Lost my exam notes and I’m about to take the exam.

I edited a PDF of the notes with an Apple Pencil.

The file is no longer in its location.

The files icon shows on Recents, but it can’t be accessed.

Why?! For the love of all that is good!

Very frustrated and upset about this, Apple.

VERY UPSET.

I might as well dump Apple all together if this is how they operate.

Data loss is completely unacceptable. The same thing happened to me. I lost about 5 PDF files that were annotated using an Apple Pencil.

My files are being missing from past few weeks. I don’t understand why is it the APPLE is breaching our privacy or they can’t make just make a decent file storage APP.

I specifically observed in the PDF files which i was doodling on them are getting missed.

can’t give us a simple FILE storage APPLICATION?

Yo i’m just happy I found this thread jk. I was straight up gaslighting myself thinking i didn’t transfer those files. BUT THEY LITERALLY JUST DISAPPEARED

the exact thing happed to me. it was a 1gb file that I needed to study for school. I even tried to connect it to my Mac and use a 3rd party to find it in the root files but I still cannot find it. it seems like iOS has requested it into the system data and cannot release it no matter what I do.

After waiting 3 days for them to call me back, I had others tests to do over the phone, they are going to call me back again on monday. It's never ending. Now the files aren't visibles anymore. I think they are forever lost.

It happened with me too. Initially I thought that there must be storage issue so I purchased iCloud. But the problem still persists. I have lost some really important files on which I had put hours to highlight and annotate with notes. I have an exam coming and now I have no idea what to do. The apple support says that this is the first time they have heard this type of issue and is blaming me that I must have deleted those files. This is pathetic and disheartening. Someone please suggest a solution to recover those files

Hi, I’m writing this on the 28/06/2024 and I’m only just having this issue. Super frustrating, two weeks worth of university work gone, glad to know apple hasn’t done a single thing to fix this bug. :/

My docs and all of my work from yesterday just vanished right in front of me. no explanation. Disappeared! no recents, nothing. i just bought this pos yesterday. How is there no fix for this if it's been going on for months? how do i know it won't happen again? This is unbelievable.

This is utterly frustrating. I was trying to migrate some of my PDF annotation work from the desktop to the iPad just so it’s faster to do write ups. Now I am experiencing the same issue; The files are visible as thumbnails in recents but the files were nowhere to locate. This is a serious loss of time especially that a lot is relying on the iPad for efficiently doing tasks be it personal or mission critical. I have to redo the drawings on each PDF file I annotated.

How hopeless this is that we can only discuss about it and never get an actual resolution.

All my files that I had used my Apple Pencil on has vanished overnight. T_T After seeing these comments I have no more hopes left. I searched everywhere, even on my iCloud, but 3 months worth of notes are gone forever! I feel devastated. Why has apple not sorted this out yet? Does this happen in the books app as well? I am scared now, since I have notes in there too.

Having myself updated to iPadOS17, I've not seen or been able to replicate your issue. As such, you may have been unlucky and have suffered a glitch specific to your iPad.

Your next step is to remove and reinstall the Pages App. Assuming that you wish to keep your documents, don't delete the Pages App; instead, you'll need to offload the Pages App. Offloading deletes just the App - and preserves the associated App data/documents.

Before proceeding, as a precaution, ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup of your iPad:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

When you are confident that your backup has been created or refreshed, you can offload Pages:

Settings > General > iPad Storage -

Scroll down the list of installed Apps to find Pages - tap - then select Offload App.

Next, perform a restart of your iPad:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

After restarting your iPad, you can reinstall the Pages App from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/pages/id361309726

Can you say which third party app? Don’t want anyone to get in trouble if answering violates any rules.