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User profile for user: claudiotheman
claudiotheman Author
User level: Level 1
55 points

Mac forgetting my desktop background - iCloud uploading

I have my desktop pictures saved in a folder on my desktop (example below).

The problem is, sometimes, when I log in to my computer after having it restarted or shut down, all of my desktops show the default wallpaper (in my case the sunset Catalina one). The first few times I was very confused but I later managed to narrow it down to the small download cloud that appears next to the folder that holds my desktop pictures. The only way to get the pictures back is to click the cloud icon, wait for the pictures to download and restart my computer; only then I see again my pictures back up on all my desktops.

I am wondering if there is a way to stop this from happening.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 6, 2021 4:30 PM

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User profile for user: DiZoE
DiZoE
User level: Level 4
3,009 points

Posted on May 7, 2021 12:50 AM

Hey again!


As far as I understand, with Optimize Storage enabled, the files least used, and largest in size are the ones that are alleviated to iCloud, this is just what I’ve been told, but don’t have clear data on that, so not sure if you can control what is and isn’t physically stored on your Mac with that option turned on, (Which is great if your Mac is at full capacity).


However, as you have Desktop and Documents enabled in iCloud, you could move the folder with the pictures into another, local folder that doesn’t upload to iCloud, such as Downloads, or even your Home folder. You could also disable Desktop and Documents from syncing to iCloud, store everything locally and just move only what you want to iCloud Drive itself. Hope this helps, let me, or anyone here know if you have questions though, happy to help out!

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User profile for user: DiZoE
DiZoE
User level: Level 4
3,009 points

May 7, 2021 12:50 AM in response to claudiotheman

Hey again!


As far as I understand, with Optimize Storage enabled, the files least used, and largest in size are the ones that are alleviated to iCloud, this is just what I’ve been told, but don’t have clear data on that, so not sure if you can control what is and isn’t physically stored on your Mac with that option turned on, (Which is great if your Mac is at full capacity).


However, as you have Desktop and Documents enabled in iCloud, you could move the folder with the pictures into another, local folder that doesn’t upload to iCloud, such as Downloads, or even your Home folder. You could also disable Desktop and Documents from syncing to iCloud, store everything locally and just move only what you want to iCloud Drive itself. Hope this helps, let me, or anyone here know if you have questions though, happy to help out!

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User profile for user: DiZoE
DiZoE
User level: Level 4
3,009 points

May 6, 2021 8:59 PM in response to claudiotheman

Hey there! Good question!


How’s the available storage on your Mac? If you do have the Optimize Storage option(s) turned on due to your Mac storage, I know that certain data will be stored solely in iCloud, yet available for download onto your Mac to save local storage.


Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage. (Manage, if the option is there).


Otherwise, are there other settings and preferences that don’t save after a restart? Could be a permissions issue. Thanks!


How to free up storage space on your Mac:

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


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User profile for user: claudiotheman
claudiotheman Author
User level: Level 1
55 points

May 7, 2021 12:32 AM in response to DiZoE

Hello and thanks for the response,


I do have the optimise storage option turned on and there is no permission issue as all settings stay between sessions. I am sure it is purely a problem of the files uploading to the cloud as also my InDesign files sometimes become half broken due to images and imbedded files uploading to the cloud. I was wondering if there is a way to have some files not stored in iCloud either via a setting or by moving them to a folder that does not get uploaded to the cloud.

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Mac forgetting my desktop background - iCloud uploading

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