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Why is iCloud keeping a local copy on my MacBook Pro?

I know that Documents and Desktop is being sync'ed to iCloud but if I copy a folder directly to iCloud it is keeping a local copy on my MacBook Pro and I'm not sure why? I just wanted to use iCloud as a backup for some files other than what I have in Document and Desktop.


Where is the local copy kept?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 31, 2020 9:36 AM

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Question marked as Best answer

Your Desktop and Documents folder sync to iCloud if you have that option turned on.


Anything in iCloud Drive folder syncs to iCloud if you have that option turned on.


Anything you manually add to iCloud via an internet browser syncs to iCloud Drive on all devices where that option is turned on.


A couple of other options to review are Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox.

Posted on Aug 31, 2020 10:58 AM

3 replies

Aug 31, 2020 10:23 AM in response to sclark5150

That is how iCloud works. By default it keeps a local copy. You can access the local copies from the Finder sidebar in iCloud Drive in the iCloud section.


If you have Optimize storage turned on and are low on space, then there may not always be a local copy. See the following from Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support


If you need more space on your device, iCloud Drive can help. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences. Click Apple ID, then click iCloud. On macOS Mojave or earlier, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click iCloud. Turn on Optimize Mac Storage. Then your Mac keeps all of your recent files on your computer, but keeps your older ones only in iCloud, ready for you to download when you need them again. 

Aug 31, 2020 10:48 AM in response to FoxFifth

Thanks for the quick response.


I guess I always thought that the only "local" anything was from my Documents Folder and Desktop both of course would be sync'ed with iCloud.


I thought if I just had other folders in iCloud they were just up in the cloud and "not" on my local storage.


Guess I need to find another "cloud" solution where I can achieve files up in the cloud to free up storage on my MacBook Pro :)


Thanks!!

Question marked as Best answer

Aug 31, 2020 10:58 AM in response to sclark5150

Your Desktop and Documents folder sync to iCloud if you have that option turned on.


Anything in iCloud Drive folder syncs to iCloud if you have that option turned on.


Anything you manually add to iCloud via an internet browser syncs to iCloud Drive on all devices where that option is turned on.


A couple of other options to review are Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox.

Why is iCloud keeping a local copy on my MacBook Pro?

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