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iCloud Drive folder is not syncing on my new M1 MacBook Air.

I am not able to see my iCloud Drive folders and files on the new laptop. I am signed into the same user in all devices. Changes I make in my other devices sync with each other without issue but just not with the new Mac. I just see my local folders in my iCloud Drive. (attached)

Similar issue with other apps. I can't see any iCloud files in Automator, Books, Preview etc. If I save a file to these apps, it does not get uploaded to my iCloud Drive.

My iCloud Drive is selected to sync.

The uploads are all stuck.

MacBook Air

Posted on Nov 23, 2020 12:51 AM

Top-ranking reply

Stefan Wallström

Level 1

45 points

Posted on Nov 29, 2020 2:09 PM

Some progress...

I have noticed that the first time I enable iCloud, iCloud Drive doesn't have the "Options..." button

But if I log out and in again or restart it shows up:

By default "Desktop & Documents Folders" isn't checked:

That is enabled on my other MacBooks. I never bothered to check it, because I figured it would only add to sync time and was of no use until iCloud Drive started working.

Now I actually tried enabling "Desktop & Document Folders". Then I disabled iCloud Drive and enabled it again. For whatever reason, files started to appear.

On the older Intel machines, booth on Catalina and Big Sur, I think "Desktop & Documents Folders" was enabled by default when creating new test accounts.

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iCloud Drive folder is not syncing on my new M1 MacBook Air.

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