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iCloud Drive

Is there a way to use iCloud Drive without Drive removing the documents from my MacBook? I want all of my documents on my computer to stay on my computer, but I want a backup on iCloud Drive. Thank you.

Posted on May 10, 2021 12:28 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 10, 2021 1:07 PM

By default iCloud Drive keeps a local copy of everything on your computer. You can access them by opening a Finder window and clicking iCloud Drive in the sidebar or by clicking iCloud Drive on the Finder "Go" menu.


If you turn on Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > Optimize Mac Storage, then some documents may not have a local copy, but if that option is off then all will have a local copy.


Also note that iCloud Drive is not a backup. Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

iCloud Drive FAQ - Apple Support

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 10, 2021 1:07 PM in response to Needysenior

By default iCloud Drive keeps a local copy of everything on your computer. You can access them by opening a Finder window and clicking iCloud Drive in the sidebar or by clicking iCloud Drive on the Finder "Go" menu.


If you turn on Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > Optimize Mac Storage, then some documents may not have a local copy, but if that option is off then all will have a local copy.


Also note that iCloud Drive is not a backup. Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

iCloud Drive FAQ - Apple Support

iCloud Drive

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