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How to STOP iCloud from auto upload/ leave data on HD?

I do NOT want iCloud to auto upload all my info to the cloud, some docs have sensitive info. I have over 40 yrs worth of research on my computer and now after all that research it’s in the cloud & I don’t control the info (ever heard of hackers or is Apple now trying to legally hack millions of computers?). I am very upset about this issue, am considering going back to using a pc.

I tried to go to iCloud options & uncheck “Desktop & Documents Folders” but then all my data disappears from my computer HD as well, it’s just totally gone!

I want to control my data, not iCloud. I do not need to share most of it across multiple devices. If it is an all or nothing thing, I would prefer to have the data returned to my HD & not use iCloud at all. I can use an ext. HD instead.

Please help resolve this issue ASAP. Thank you.

MacBook Pro 13", 10.14

Posted on Jan 27, 2019 1:37 PM

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All you have to do is drag-and-drop it from your desktop into a new, non-iCloud location. You will see a pop-up asking you to confirm the changes.

Posted on Jan 27, 2019 1:42 PM

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Jan 27, 2019 1:41 PM in response to susieqk

See the following from Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support


When you turn off Desktop & Documents Folders, your files stay in iCloud Drive and a new Desktop and Documents folder is created on your Mac in the home folder. You can move files from iCloud Drive to your Mac as you need them, or select all of your files and drag them to the place you want to keep them.


  1. From your Mac, go to Apple menu  > System Preferences > iCloud.
  2. Next to iCloud Drive, click Options.
  3. Deselect Desktop & Documents Folders.
  4. Click Done.


If you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud, you have the option to keep a local copy of your files that are

in iCloud Drive. Whether you decide to keep a local copy or not, a new Desktop and Documents folder is created in your home folder. If you choose to keep a local copy, your files in iCloud Drive are copied to a folder called iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. Then you have the option to move any files that were in your iCloud Desktop and Documents, back to your new local Desktop and Documents.


Jan 27, 2019 2:03 PM in response to F_Rappe

Thank you F_Rappe. I had wanted to put off downloading Mojave for as long as possible, as I had not heard food things about it. Unfortunately, I sat down to start doing taxes (a multi-day Process for various reasons), put in the disc to start 2018 taxes & it would not run without Mojave. Grr...

Therefore I did not read all the instructions as well as I should have. Thank you taking the time to answer my question & for your clear, concise answer.

Jan 27, 2019 2:13 PM in response to Barney-15E

Ok, will accept that your response was made with kind intent. Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, intent is not always clear when you can’t see a face or hear a tone of voice. I do stand by my statement that starting out by saying, “ if you had read the instructions” does not come across well. I know because I have said the same thing before and was told that I sounded condescending, so it’s not just because I might have had an over-reaction. When it’s not your data/research you feel is lost (& yes I was feeling a bit panicked) & the solution seems easy to you, I can certainly see how my response might have come across a bit like an over-reaction. 😊

How to STOP iCloud from auto upload/ leave data on HD?

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