How do I view my files on iCloud

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Level 1

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How do I view my files on iCloud

As a matter to security I would like the ability to which of my files and documents are on iCloud. I mistakenly selected the 'desktop and document' app'. There are personal folders that I would prefer to keep on my laptop and not on iCloud. How can I check and if I do find them on iCloud, how can I retrieve them. I do not need to access these folders from my iPhone or iPad.

I am running High Sierra 10.13.6

Also I am confused by the message on the iCloud settings:

"The full contents of iCloud Drive will be stored on this Mac if you have enough space. Older documents will be stored only in iCloud when space is needed."

This seems opposite to what I understood. I thought that iCloud was to save me space, not the other way around. Will someone please explain.

Thank you.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jan 3, 2022 10:27 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

FoxFifth

Level 10

472,695 points

Jan 3, 2022 11:34 AM in response to BebopLondon

If you have the iCloud Drive Desktop and Documents option turned on and have some files/folders that you don't want synced to iCloud, use Finder on your Mac and move those files/folders to a location that is not synced. For example, you could create a new folder in your Home folder. Open a Finder window, click the "Go" menu in the menubar at the top of the screen, and use the File menu to create a new folder there. Then move the files/folders that you don't want synced into that new folder.

Re: "The full contents of iCloud Drive will be stored on this Mac if you have enough space. Older documents will be stored only in iCloud when space is needed."

iCloud will save you space -- but only if your Mac is low on storage. If your Mac is not low on storage (i.e., if you don't need to free up space on your Mac) it will keep a local copy on your Mac (as well as a copy on iCloud). But if your Mac gets to the point where it needs more storage space it will then optimize the local copy.

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Answer 2

BebopLondon Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 6, 2022 8:17 AM in response to FoxFifth

Hi Foxfith, thank you so much for your response. It was so clear and precise and I have done exactly what you suggested. I have made a folder named 'Mac documents' in the home directory for sensitive files which I want to keep locally. My only question now is this. I usually make an 'alias' which is kept on the desktop, to access files. Now that the desktop is being synced, does this mean I can no longer place an alias for files in 'Home/Mac Documents/' on the desktop?

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Answer 3

FoxFifth

Level 10

472,695 points

Jan 6, 2022 8:49 AM in response to BebopLondon

Sorry, I don't know for sure and don't have any personal experience using an alias.

Try testing it -- create a new document that you don't care about e.g., a Word document with just the word "test" in it, put it in a new folder in your home directory, then put an alias for it on the Desktop. The see if it is available in your Desktop folder in iCloud Drive and also log into www.icloud.com and go to iCloud Drive there.

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Answer 4

BebopLondon Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 6, 2022 9:17 AM in response to FoxFifth

Will do. Thanks for your help.

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How do I view my files on iCloud

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