Hi,

Based on your description this is a known failure pattern with CapCut Spaces + cache clearing, especially when Mac + iPhone are involved.

We will help break this into (1) what likely happened, (2) how to recover the project/media, and (3) how to stabilize things before your deadline.

1. What likely went wrong?

Based on your description, three issues collided:

A. CapCut Space sync failure (server-side or account-side)

• New media uploaded from the company iPhone is visible in Space

• But downloads fail with “error”

• This usually means:

  • Space metadata exists

  • Actual media blobs are not resolving (sync token / permission / CDN issue)

This has been happening more often recently on Pro accounts.

B. Cache clearing broke local media references

When you cleared cache:

• CapCut deleted local proxy + downloaded media

• Your project still expects those files → “Lost media”

• Normally this is fine IF Space can re-download

• But since Space downloads are now broken → everything stays offline

So you didn’t do anything wrong as you just triggered a second problem while the first one was already there.

C. Slow / frozen project opening = sync deadlock

When a project:

• Has missing media and

• Is trying (and failing) to re-sync from Space
  CapCut can appear frozen or extremely slow.

2. Critical recovery steps

STEP 1 — STOP using Space for now

Do not:

• Re-upload

• Re-clear cache

• Duplicate the project in Space

This can permanently desync versions.

STEP 2 — Check if the media still exists physically on the iPhone

On the company iPhone:

1. Open CapCut

2. Go to Space

3. Try:

   • Playing the raw clips directly

   • Exporting one clip to local phone storage

Outcomes:

• If it plays → media exists (good sign)

• If it errors → Space media itself is corrupted (server-side)

Tell us which happens as this affects the next move.

STEP 3 — Emergency workaround which is most reliable with deadlines

If the footage still exists on the iPhone (Camera Roll or Files):

1. Manually export the raw clips from the iPhone:

   • AirDrop to your Mac OR

   • Upload to Google Drive / Dropbox

2. On your Mac:

   • Open the project

   • When you see Lost Media → Relink

   • Point CapCut to the manually transferred files

CapCut matches by:

• Filename

• Duration

• Codec
  So relinking usually works even if paths changed.

This bypasses Space completely which is what we want right now.

STEP 4 — Duplicate the project locally (VERY IMPORTANT)

Once media is relinked:

1. File → Duplicate Project

2. Save it as Local Project (NOT Space)

This protects you from:

• Further Space sync failures

• Last-minute crashes

3. Fixing the Space issue after the deadline

Once your video is safe:

Things that do help

• Log out of CapCut on all devices

• Log back in on Mac first, then iPhone

• Ensure both are on the same CapCut account (not just shared Space)

Things that don’t help

• Reinstalling CapCut

• Clearing cache again

• Changing download locations

4. Why this suddenly happened even though you changed nothing

You are not imagining it. The following are generally the causes:

• Recent CapCut backend update

• Space permission token expired

• CapCut Pro account Space desync (happens more with cross-device teams)

This is not user error — it’s a stability issue on the CapCut end.

5. What we need from you to fine-tune the fix

Can you reply to this forum post:

1. Does the footage still play on the iPhone Space? (yes/no)

2. macOS version + CapCut desktop version

3. Does the Space show “Download failed” or just “Error”?

We know this is stressful but the good news is your project is very likely recoverable within hours, not days.

We will stick with you and help you get this posted on time.