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How can I force upload files/folder to iCloud Drive?

Hey, my Macbook pro is all the time full of storage. After a lot of research, reinstalling my Mac several times I found out that the problem is iCloud Drive files that still on my Mac storage and not uploading to my drive.


Is there any way to force upload the files and folders to upload? I can't use my Mac since I have 500GB on my iCloud Drive but my Mac storage is only 120GB


Thank you.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 16, 2020 1:26 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 16, 2020 8:58 AM

I always use "Optimize Mac Storage" but the files never automatically uploading to the cloud. My system version is Big Sur and I tried to ctrl-click and "remove download", but it works only when I see a file that is located on my Mac. Is there any way to automatically removing download for a whole folder? This option is not available for me since part of the folder is on my cloud and the other part is downloaded (I don't have any idea why, it happens to files I never even opened in this computer)


Thank you!

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5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 16, 2020 8:58 AM in response to léonie

I always use "Optimize Mac Storage" but the files never automatically uploading to the cloud. My system version is Big Sur and I tried to ctrl-click and "remove download", but it works only when I see a file that is located on my Mac. Is there any way to automatically removing download for a whole folder? This option is not available for me since part of the folder is on my cloud and the other part is downloaded (I don't have any idea why, it happens to files I never even opened in this computer)


Thank you!

Dec 16, 2020 7:31 AM in response to liel144

What storage plan are you using it will be defiantly higher than free 5GB , make sure you always turn on iCloud Drive and desktops and documents box must be checked https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/mac-help/mchle5a61431/10.14/mac/10.14

You had certain files in some other location it could be home folder or as described in the article https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/mac-help/mchl1a02d711/mac

click on finder in iCloud section > iCloud Drive > Documents > drag and drop those files / personal documents in finder > Documents .

Check if 500 GB storage ( only for iCloud Drive ) will accommodate in your existing storage plan https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/check-your-storage-usage-mm6e5a441fc7/icloud

Also your others applications like notes , mails , calendars , photos , old back ups also occupy iCloud storage as they might be synced with iCloud https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207689

Decide if you want to increase the storage plan to maximum 2TB ( purchase the plan https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201318

Or reduce the iCloud data so that sufficient space is created , also enabling optimise feature will help to some extent .

https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT204247

https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/macbook-air/apdb468896e0/2019/mac/10.14.5

https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT206996

https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/system-information/syspf5a64aa6/mac

Dec 16, 2020 7:47 AM in response to liel144

Do you have "Optimize Mac Storage" enabled? Without this option, the files you upload to iCloud Drive will remain on your Mac as well. The files in iCloud Drive are mirrored on your Mac and are using locally as much storage as in iCloud.

If you enable "Optimise Mac Storage" in the System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud for iCloud Drive, the system should automatically remove local copies from your Mac, if you are low on storage. It may take a while, until the Optimisation will kick in and remove more and more local copies of fils you have not used in a long time.

You did not mention your System version. If you are using macOS 11 Big Sur or maOS 10.15 Catalina, you can select folders on iCloud Drive, ctrl-click them, then use the command "Remove Download" to control, which files and folders get optimised.

How can I force upload files/folder to iCloud Drive?

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