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Are files that are downloaded automaticially saved to iCloud?

I have limited bandwidth and need to be careful with usage.


  1. Do files that are downloaded automatically get saved to iCloud?
  2. If the answer to the first question is yes, does that transfer start at roughly the same time as the file starts to download? or does it start once the download is complete?
  3. If the file is saved to an external disk, instead of a location on the iMac, does that mean it won't have any sync activity as it downloads?

iMac 24″, macOS 12.5

Posted on Aug 22, 2022 12:22 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 22, 2022 12:33 PM

  1. That depends. If you have iCloud Drive enabled, and you save the document to a location that syncs with iCloud, yes. If you simply save items in your downloads folder, no.
  2. Once you have a viable file on your computer, the upload will start. Typically, that is post download. But, with some applications that autosave, there will be more continuous update to iCloud.
  3. Correct. It will not sync at all.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 22, 2022 12:33 PM in response to ric165

  1. That depends. If you have iCloud Drive enabled, and you save the document to a location that syncs with iCloud, yes. If you simply save items in your downloads folder, no.
  2. Once you have a viable file on your computer, the upload will start. Typically, that is post download. But, with some applications that autosave, there will be more continuous update to iCloud.
  3. Correct. It will not sync at all.


Are files that are downloaded automaticially saved to iCloud?

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