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Scott98981

Q: Backup of iCloud drive files in TimeMachine

I just migrated over to a MacBook 12" from Macbook Air using TimeMachine and noticed that my 2.4 GB of iCloud Drive files are being downloaded rather than being migrated from the TimeMachine. This suggests that these files are not being backed up locally, which is concerning.


Is this true that TimeMachine does not back up locally stored iCloud Drive files?

OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 16, 2016 2:55 PM

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Q: Backup of iCloud drive files in TimeMachine

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  • by Scott98981,

    Scott98981 Scott98981 Aug 16, 2016 3:06 PM in response to Scott98981
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Windows Software
    Aug 16, 2016 3:06 PM in response to Scott98981

    Apparently the files are backed up and stored in ~/library/mobile documents based on the following thread:

     

    Does iCloud backup to Time Machine when created on a Mac

     

    I do indeed see my files in there, but I'm confused why these files were not restored to the new machine and instead the entire library is being re-downloaded. Luckily I only had ~2GB, but this would take hours for a larger library.


    Does anyone know if it is possible to restore the files from the TimeMachine backup and let iCloud update them as needed? This way would seem to make more sense and be more similar to other cloud solutions.

  • by Eric Root,Helpful

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 17, 2016 12:24 PM in response to Scott98981
    Level 9 (70,023 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 17, 2016 12:24 PM in response to Scott98981

    Since you are just signing into iCloud from this computer, perhaps what you are seeing isn't an actual download, but a comparison of data. They tend to look the same.

  • by Scott98981,

    Scott98981 Scott98981 Aug 17, 2016 12:26 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Windows Software
    Aug 17, 2016 12:26 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks for the reply. I suppose it may have been comparing all the local files with iCloud. However it seemed to be downloading the files as the pie-wheel iCloud icon was slowly filling up over 10 minutes during which my network activity was being heavily utilized. I wonder if this occurred because I used migration assistant after setting up the new MacBook rather than setting up the machine initially using the TimeMachine backup.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 17, 2016 12:34 PM in response to Scott98981
    Level 9 (70,023 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 17, 2016 12:34 PM in response to Scott98981

    You are welcome. I don't think it really matters how it was set up.