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Can I Backup from an External Drive to iCloud?

I keep all my work an External 4TB drive, as my iMac HD doesn't have the capacity to store all my work. I work from these files directly but need to back these up somewhere else other than the HD or my iMac (which as I said doesn't have the space anyway). This is for safety and security.

Does iCloud store the files locally on the iMac hard drive when you copy / backup files from and external HD to iCloud? As this seems to be taking all my my iMac storage space...?


Is there a way to do this? Or do I look at an alternative cloud based backup system?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 30, 2021 1:18 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 30, 2021 10:47 AM

iCloud is primarily syncing storage. If you're using external storage too I don't know if iCloud would accommodate that as part of optimizing storage on your computer.


How to free up storage space on your Mac - https://support.apple.com/HT206996

Optimized Storage [macOS Sierra or later] helps you save storage space space by storing your content in iCloud and making it available on demand:

- When storage space is needed, files, photos, movies, email attachments, and other files that you seldom use are stored in iCloud automatically.

- Each file stays right where you last saved it, and downloads when you open it.

- Files that you’ve used recently remain on your Mac, along with optimized versions of your photos.


Also realize that the standard iCloud storage limit is 2 TB which is short of your 4TB. You can get 4 TB but this has to be part of a larger subscription package and I don't know if this is worth all the trouble. You have to do it by having a subscription to Apple One and buying more storage.


"Upgrade your iCloud storage plan" --> https://support.apple.com/HT201318

"Apple One

With Apple One, you can choose a subscription plan that includes 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB of iCloud storage. If you need more iCloud storage, you can buy more for a total of up to 4TB."


Cost depends upon what kind of Apple One plan you get.

You'll have to assemble all this information using these links:


https://support.apple.com/HT211659 for a list of Apple One plans and included features

and

https://www.apple.com/apple-one/ Apple One cost at the very bottom.

and

iCloud storage plans and pricing - https://support.apple.com/HT201238 - cost and regional availability of upgrades.




1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 30, 2021 10:47 AM in response to Superglueboots

iCloud is primarily syncing storage. If you're using external storage too I don't know if iCloud would accommodate that as part of optimizing storage on your computer.


How to free up storage space on your Mac - https://support.apple.com/HT206996

Optimized Storage [macOS Sierra or later] helps you save storage space space by storing your content in iCloud and making it available on demand:

- When storage space is needed, files, photos, movies, email attachments, and other files that you seldom use are stored in iCloud automatically.

- Each file stays right where you last saved it, and downloads when you open it.

- Files that you’ve used recently remain on your Mac, along with optimized versions of your photos.


Also realize that the standard iCloud storage limit is 2 TB which is short of your 4TB. You can get 4 TB but this has to be part of a larger subscription package and I don't know if this is worth all the trouble. You have to do it by having a subscription to Apple One and buying more storage.


"Upgrade your iCloud storage plan" --> https://support.apple.com/HT201318

"Apple One

With Apple One, you can choose a subscription plan that includes 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB of iCloud storage. If you need more iCloud storage, you can buy more for a total of up to 4TB."


Cost depends upon what kind of Apple One plan you get.

You'll have to assemble all this information using these links:


https://support.apple.com/HT211659 for a list of Apple One plans and included features

and

https://www.apple.com/apple-one/ Apple One cost at the very bottom.

and

iCloud storage plans and pricing - https://support.apple.com/HT201238 - cost and regional availability of upgrades.




Can I Backup from an External Drive to iCloud?

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