Mac mini (M1) data erased via find my app..

It's good luck that you have much of your data stored in the cloud.

However, be advised, iCloud syncing is NOT the same as a backup. iCloud is designed to allow you to access much of your data with several devices without having to schlep external drives from one to the other. Files saved on your Desktop and in your Documents folder can be automatically synced with iCloud

A true backup can store and allow you to recover ALL of your data should your computer take a dump, including passwords, system settings, photos, docs and apps; all of the data in your Home folder and more.

You would be wise to start using Time Machine - or another true backup or clone app - to truly backup your files.

You said you do not have even minimal iCloud backup?

indeed, there should be some extra security that would back us in case of stolen mac while erasing at distance, but it looks this is not an existing feature.

Unfortunately, no, there is no option to recover files if you have no backup.

Backing up the Mac is easy. All that is required is an external drive.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

lanstrad1 wrote:

You said you do not have even minimal iCloud backup?

You can't back a Mac up to iCloud. You can sync some kinds of data from a Mac to iCloud, however,