Level 3 (694 points)

Problem sharing files via iCloud

I am trying to share some files with a Windows user via iCloud. I know all the steps on how to create a link that can be pasted into an email, because I have done this with other Mac users (and with the Tahoe OS.) But, for what ever reason, the recipient says either the link does nothing, or sends him to some other website. When I pasted the link into the email it looked correct to me. Domain name was iCloud.com. I am on the MacOS 27.0.1. I would appreciate any helpor suggestions.

Posted on Oct 9, 2026 7:59 AM

5 replies

DmitryRyzhkin

Level 2 (228 points)

Oct 13, 2026 7:23 AM in response to WilliamL

Sounds like the link is set to "People you choose". In that case it only opens for someone signed in with the Apple Account it was sent to, so on a Windows PC it just lands on an iCloud sign-in page, which may well be the "other website" he's seeing.

To change it, Control-click the file in iCloud Drive, choose Manage Shared File, and under Who can access switch it to Anyone with the link (Can view or download is enough if he only needs a copy). The link you already sent should then work as is, and it opens right in his browser, no iCloud for Windows needed.

If the files aren't too big, there's a simpler route: Control-click > Share > Send a Copy and attach them to the email, which skips iCloud altogether.

— Dmitry · developer of ComfortFiles

DmitryRyzhkin

Level 2 (228 points)

Oct 14, 2026 8:08 AM in response to WilliamL

Thanks for checking. One quick test: open the link yourself in a private window in Safari (File > New Private Window), where you're not signed in to iCloud. If it opens there, the link itself is fine and the trouble is on his end. Then the easiest thing is probably to send the files as attachments with Share > Send a Copy.

WilliamL Author

Level 3 (694 points)

Oct 14, 2026 8:35 AM in response to DmitryRyzhkin

I just copied the link and opened it in a different (Duck Duck Go) browser. What looked like a good page came up. Two options - download the file or open it in iCloud. So the problem probably is at his end.

WilliamL Author

Level 3 (694 points)

Oct 13, 2026 7:59 AM in response to DmitryRyzhkin

Thank you for writing. I just checked and I do have it setup for anyone with the link, so I still don’t know what is going on. The recipient has been hard to get a hold of, so I am not getting much (if any) feedback.

WilliamL Author

Level 3 (694 points)

Oct 14, 2026 8:31 AM in response to DmitryRyzhkin

It always scares me when I read the description under Logging out of my iCloud account. Is there a simpler way of checking the link?

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256373160