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The item can't be downloaded because there isn't enough free space

I can’t download a file from iCloud Drive. Got an error message:


The item ... can't be downloaded because there isn't enough free space.


The file size is 155.7 MB and I’ve got 84.48GB free space (according to system info)


Am I doing something wrong to 'make the magi happen’? ;-)

Restarted the computer, still the same error.


Appreciate your help.



MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jun 7, 2020 4:04 AM

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Jun 7, 2020 7:58 AM in response to req7777

The image you posted shows somewhat a compressed file see the article https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/safari/ibrwa006/mac

The article is to download files from web , but also works when using iCloud Drive .

Read this https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchlp1774/10.14/mac/10.14


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Jun 7, 2020 7:14 AM in response to req7777

The message you have shown from the System Info is saying "84.48GB available space", not "84.48GB free space".


The distinction is important. "Available" includes all space that is used, but can be purged. For example the storage used by your iCloud Documents snapshots created by Time Machine. Probably your Mac needed to purge storage to free enough storage for the download to work.



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Jun 7, 2020 4:11 AM in response to req7777

whoa.... after I posted this the file magically got downloaded :-)


So my question will be, is there any way of making the iCloud Drive react quicker?


I cannot really afford to wait half an hour every time I need to access something on my Desktop/Documents...


Many thanks

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Jun 7, 2020 7:50 AM in response to léonie

@léonie oh, I see... another of those things that are there but you shouldn’t be using them haha (first one is Spotlight Suggestions, as I discovered recently after chasing Sky about slow internet for a month or so...)

Anyways, my iCloud Drive is 2TB and I’ve got only 250GB on my Mac so optimise storage is the only option here, I think...

Cheers.



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The item can't be downloaded because there isn't enough free space

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