How do I backup my iCloud drive to Time Machine?

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How do I backup my iCloud drive to Time Machine?

How do I backup my iCloud drive to Time Machine? I use iCloud as a local drive to backup all my documents in the folder 'iCloud Drive > Documents.' I accidentally deleted the Documents folder, so I opened Time Machine to find the folder. However it didn't get backed up to Time Machine.

Can someone please tell me why iCloud didn't backup to TimeMachine? I'd like to know to avoid this terrible feeling of a lost file in the future.

I had "Optimize Mac Storage" checked in Preferences>Apple ID. The "Desktop & Documents Folder" option was unchecked.

I read somebody's reply in Community saying that Time Machine will backup iCloud Drive, as long as "Optimize Mac Storage” is unchecked

I attached the link to the other Discussion I referred to in the paragraph.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Oct 19, 2021 8:11 PM

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Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

91,334 points

Oct 19, 2021 8:21 PM in response to DCarlson93

Time Machine will not back up files not resident on your Mac.

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

102,985 points

Oct 20, 2021 1:53 AM in response to muguy

iCloud is designed Not as a Storage Space like an External Drive is used to archive files or store files.

iCloud is designed to have copies of your files in the cloud so changes made from one device are reflected to all other of your devices. Important thing about iCloud, copies of files in iCloud are also located on the Internal Drive of the computer. That is also be design and for times when Internet Connection is not available. Once connection is established - the changes are automatically uploaded to iCloud.

So in reality - doing a Time Machine Backup regularly and often does the job of having copies of your files.

Follow the advise from Previous posting and log into iCloud www.icloud.com.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,222 points

Oct 19, 2021 8:31 PM in response to DCarlson93

Try logging into iCloud.com and go to iCloud Drive.

Look for Recently Deleted and click on that.

If all your files are in there, click Restore All.

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Answer 4

Owl-53

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102,985 points

Oct 20, 2021 9:00 AM in response to DCarlson93

If one is using iCloud to sync changes to other devices that also using the same Apple ID and iCloud, a copy of the files are on the Local Drive.

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Answer 5

muguy

Level 10

91,334 points

Oct 20, 2021 1:56 PM in response to DCarlson93

When you enable iCloud Drive, documents and desktop, the files are moved into a system folder on your Mac. You can access the files through the sidebar but the actual file is in the system library

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Answer 6

DCarlson93 Author

Level 1

16 points

Oct 20, 2021 8:48 AM in response to Barney-15E

I checked. The Recently Deleted feature is only for things inside the Trash. Once it gets emptied they get removed from recently deleted.

I really wish Apple changed this feature. I would like them to change the Recently Deleted feature for things that get emptied from the Trash.

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Answer 7

Owl-53

Level 10

102,985 points

Oct 20, 2021 1:49 PM in response to DCarlson93

If am not mistaken - bare with me - on a Windows machine right now. Right Click and see of SDocuments can be added to Sidebar

Also

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support (CA)

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Answer 8

DCarlson93 Author

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Oct 19, 2021 8:12 PM in response to DCarlson93

Here's the link to the other Discussion:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251256047

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Answer 9

DCarlson93 Author

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Oct 20, 2021 1:31 PM in response to Owl-53

If I have an iCloud folder called Documents. Where in Finder is the local copy of Documents?

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Answer 10

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,222 points

Oct 20, 2021 3:52 PM in response to muguy

It’s not in the system library. It is in the user library.

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Answer 11

DCarlson93 Author

Level 1

16 points

Oct 20, 2021 8:50 AM in response to Owl-53

Do you recommend I keep two copies of files? One on my local drive and the other in the iCloud folder of my Mac? Wouldn't this be a little confusing or is there a better way to do this?

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How do I backup my iCloud drive to Time Machine?

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