How to keep a duplicate Documents folder on MacBook?

How to keep a duplicate of iCloud Documents folder on MacBook for when I have no internet access?


Posted on Dec 27, 2022 7:58 PM

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Posted on Dec 28, 2022 4:54 PM

Copy any files you want to use offline to another folder within your home user folder which is not being synced to iCloud. You can create a new folder on the root of the main home user folder. By default macOS does not show the root of the main home user folder so you may need to check the box in the Finder's Preference to allow it to be selectable/viewable option on the sidebar of the Finder window (it will have the short user name of your macOS user account).


FYI, you should always have frequent and regular backups of your computer and all external media (including the cloud) which contains important & unique data. iCloud is not a backup, neither are any other file syncing services.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 28, 2022 4:54 PM in response to BeauxM

Copy any files you want to use offline to another folder within your home user folder which is not being synced to iCloud. You can create a new folder on the root of the main home user folder. By default macOS does not show the root of the main home user folder so you may need to check the box in the Finder's Preference to allow it to be selectable/viewable option on the sidebar of the Finder window (it will have the short user name of your macOS user account).


FYI, you should always have frequent and regular backups of your computer and all external media (including the cloud) which contains important & unique data. iCloud is not a backup, neither are any other file syncing services.

Dec 27, 2022 8:08 PM in response to BeauxM

BeauxM Said:

"How to keep a duplicate of iCloud Documents folder on MacBook for when I have no internet access?"

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A Server Connection is Needed:

You can't. You need to download these. The only way to do that is have access to them. And the only way to have access to them is have a direct connection to their server. And to do that, you need to be connected to the Internet.

Dec 27, 2022 8:49 PM in response to BeauxM

BeauxM Said:

"Helpful and prompt answer, but isn't it very impractical to NOT have access to documents when NOT connected to internet??[...]"

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You are welcome.


A Server Connection is Needed:

Yes, it does seem impractical, but that's the way cloud storage works. And, in a factual minor of speaking, how can you download it without access to the server?

Dec 27, 2022 8:55 PM in response to TheLittles

And there is the problem. What if I started a spreadsheet while in the office with internet connection. Then ran to the airport and wanted to finish it while I was in the airport parking lot....no connection...I cannot get back to the file. That is a MAJOR flaw. Option.....don't use cloud. But then the files do not sync to phone (files app) or iPad...which is one of the awesome features of Apple products.

Dec 27, 2022 9:12 PM in response to BeauxM

BeauxM Said:

"And there is the problem.: [...]That is a MAJOR flaw. Option.....don't use cloud. But then the files do not sync to phone (files app) or iPad...which is one of the awesome features of Apple products."

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Internet Runs Off of Protocols:

It is nothing of a flaw. It's just the way the Internet was created --over protocols (i.e. TCP/IP, FTC, and WEP), allowing configurations and such. It's insufficient, but it's just the way it is --nothing on Apple's end :). No one owns the Internet. ISPs just profile access to it.

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How to keep a duplicate Documents folder on MacBook?

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