iCloud backup / missing icon

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Level 1

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iCloud backup / missing icon

Hi. Bit new to iCloud Drive. I want to use it as my primary storage backup for media projects. I don't want these files stored on my computer at all, only in the cloud. To test it I dragged a folder to the iCloud Drive on my Mac. The progress wheel showed it uploaded to the cloud all fine, but now it doesn't have a cloud icon next to it, so I'm assuming it's both on my computer and in the cloud? How can you force something to live only in iCloud and not also on the computer? Or does the missing icon not matter? Any advice much appreciated.

Posted on Aug 21, 2021 2:25 PM

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Answer 1

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tygb

Level 9

64,708 points

Aug 22, 2021 8:40 AM in response to tombiro

See the article Use external storage devices with Mac - Apple Support

Check if the folders are locked If you can’t access a document, a folder or an app on Mac - Apple Support

If you need permission to open an item on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

tygb

Level 9

64,708 points

Aug 21, 2021 10:15 PM in response to tombiro

See these articles Use iCloud Drive to store documents on your Mac and iOS devices - Apple Support

Use iCloud Drive on iCloud.com on your computer - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchl1a02d711/10.14/mac/10.14

Get file, folder and disk information on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

tombiro Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 22, 2021 2:20 AM in response to tygb

Thanks. Those links don't seem to solve my problem though. I've checked my computer HD when I transfer files from my external HD to iCloud Drive and, although they are indeed uploaded to the cloud (and appear in iCloud on other devices), they are also added to - and take up space on - my computer hard drive. I know this because I get info on my computer HD before and after and their file size is subtracted from my HD capacity.

I want them to only live in the cloud. I've made sure the correct iCloud boxes are ticked in preferences for "Documents and Folders." Is there a way to force them only to live in the cloud? I tried doing it on iCloud.com but it says I'm not allowed to upload whole folders.

Thanks.

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Answer 4

tombiro Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 22, 2021 3:12 AM in response to tombiro

Is the issue that I want to upload files to iCloud direct from an external HD without the files living on my computer maybe? I see that once they’re copied to the HD you can right click the folder in iCloud Drive and remove the download from your computer, but I was hoping I could avoid that as I want to backup very large folders from my external HD to iCloud.

Thanks.

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iCloud backup / missing icon

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