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Insufficient space on drive for Monterey due to iCloud

I have an iMac with 1TB disk and save my files to iCloud (2TB).

However, iCloud keeps downloading these files to my MacBook Air which only has 256GB storage and this is is filling up the drive. I have gone through iCloud folder on my MBAir and right clicked to “remove download” but as soon as I clear space, iCloud keeps filling the drive again.

I’ve been through as many help articles as I can find but unable to resolve this indiscriminate action. Dropbox has a “Selective Sync” feature which allows me to control downloaded files on each device but I can’t find an equivalent for iCloud.

Now I can’t upgrade the OS as there is “insufficient space on the target drive”

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Dec 28, 2021 2:52 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 28, 2021 4:27 PM

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities.


Go to System Preferences > Apple ID, and select "Optimize Mac Storage". I'd also encourage you to review: Optimize storage space on your Mac - Apple Support.


You can then upgrade to macOS Monterey: How to upgrade to macOS Monterey - Apple Support.


Cheers,


Jack

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12 replies

Dec 29, 2021 2:17 AM in response to Mac-bugg

Copies of the files stored on iCloud Drive are only downloaded to the MBA when the user purposefully chooses the download the files.


As previous poster attempted to explain the Optimize feature built into the OS will store Originals of the Files on the iCloud Drive.


Apps and features that use iCloud


How iCloud keeps information up to date across all your devices


Introduction to iCloud




Dec 29, 2021 2:43 AM in response to Mac-bugg

" Insufficient space on drive for Monterey due to iCloud "


Glean that the real issue is the MBA has a tiny 128 GB SSD and using iCloud Drive. Is that correct ?


Manage Storage


What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?


Free up storage space on your Mac


OmniDiskSweeper Safe to use


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac


See used and available storage space on your Mac


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other " Category


Other: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.




Dec 29, 2021 2:31 AM in response to PRP_53

Thank you for responding.

Unfortunately the “ intelligent “ storage doesn’t seem to be behaving as it should.

Many files were on my local MBA drive, even though I had not chosen to download them.

Are you aware of any option to choose which folders/files are NOT held on my drive unless specifically requested?

Dec 29, 2021 4:14 AM in response to Mac-bugg

Ok - suggestion and only related to the MBA


1 - enable Optimization from previous posters link.


2 - sign out of iCloud. This may offer to download all files from iCloud - do not.


3 - restart computer and look for ALL Locally stored files that would appear from iCloud and move them to Trash and empty Trash.


4 - restart computer and Sign Back into iCloud


This process will have removed the locally stored iCloud files but still allow the user ( you ) to selectively download only the files one what's to work on.


Dec 29, 2021 7:36 AM in response to Mac-bugg

Are you aware of any option to choose which folders/files are NOT held on my drive unless specifically requested?

You can ctrl-click on a file or group of files and choose Remove Download.

You may want to show the iCloud Status column so you only select downloaded files as the option won't appear if any are not downloaded.

Any files downloaded will stay downloaded until such time as they become "unused."

Insufficient space on drive for Monterey due to iCloud

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