iCloud and apple hijacked my desktop and won't give it back

Question

Level 1

8 points

iCloud and apple hijacked my desktop and won't give it back

I seriously don't understand how iCloud can download my entire desktop and TAKE it OFF my computer!!! I enabled the stupid check box for one set of docs, I had ZERO KNOWLEDGE this would take my desktop over. Shame on you Apple.. I have embraced this iCloud from the beginning, but when you take ALL of MY documents and don't give them back, that should be criminal... forget all your privacy and safety stuff.. my stuff is safer on my desktop in my home, not in a file somewhere waiting for me to access it outside of my computer. this is ridiculous the operation cannot be unchecked, and undone. what is the point? AND - my desktop is completely useless! I cannot add files, I cannot copy files, I cannot OPEN files on my desktop... what is going on??? put it back!

When I uncheck the box (to save my desktop on the cloud - for whatever reason), I cannot access it... now my stand alone computer is useless in the files. I have ZERO control over my now 'LOCAL DESKTOP', I still can't open, add, edit or view the ONE folder y'all put back my stand alone computer in my home! I am so upset and frustrated with this. On tope, Apple and google push for ME to BUY more storage.. NO... I have a 3T HD on my computer, and I would like to USE IT. What good are these forums if this this has been going on for years?????? How is Apple able to TAKE my Documents and now control them? ... is this legal? my desktop in my finder now says it's on the cloud... even though I unchecked the little box.

I have and iMac, Ventura 13.1

I have always had my messages, contacts and mail on the cloud with few issues (still had some), all a matter of paid for storage I guess. but MY desktop I want back.

Posted on Jan 24, 2023 7:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

muguy

Level 10

91,148 points

Jan 24, 2023 11:04 AM in response to banittie

If you turn off desktop and documents, the contents are moved into “desktop” and “documents” folders in the iCloud Drive folder and a new desktop and documents folder are created on your Mac. Simply navigate to the named folders in iCloud Drive and drag any contents that you would like to the new locations.

Reply

Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

91,148 points

Jan 24, 2023 12:19 PM in response to banittie

There isn't a remote state. But, I'd start by either restarting Finder (Apple Menu > Force Quit > Finder) or restarting your Mac. That should fix any issues.
No. Everything is already on your Mac in the iCloud Drive folder. Just copy the contents to the locations you would like (desktop, documents, etc.). When you turn off desktop and documents you'll have those folders moved into iCloud Drive.
You already have the first part. If you wish to remove the files from iCloud Drive drag them out of the iCloud Drive folder on your Mac to whatever location you choose. Once emptied, the files will also be removed from iCloud.com.

Reply

Answer 3

banittie Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 24, 2023 11:34 AM in response to muguy

I unchecked my box, my desktop is now blank and it seems to be in a remote state..my desktop is not my own. my right click only shows: get Info and Import from iPhone.

if I navigate through Finder I see my original folders, but I still seem to be on the cloud with the desktop, I can't edit it or anything...the one file of 'data' was a folder I tried to move from the iCloud Drive to my desktop.

And under Favorites, I still show iCloud desktop icon folder.

Question one: How do I take control of my desktop again... add folders and organize my own desktop again?

Question Two: Do I have to COPY (from iCloud) my entire desktop (apparently 200 GB) and all the folders and all the files, back to my iMac?

Question Three: When I successfully get my computer control back and all my files, how do I delete the 'copy' off the iCloud (files sucking up my storage)

most anxious to get this resolved

I feel like I'm making this way more complicated, but I really don't see how to turn this off and go back to where I was yesterday

Thanks for any help

Reply

Answer 4

banittie Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 24, 2023 12:59 PM in response to muguy

PERFECT..... worked, now I have my desktop back :)
It's all in how you listen... I reread your #2 and said... aaaahhhhh... iCloud DRIVE... found it :). copied, moved, got the lovely warning all my stuff will be removed from the iCloud and put on my Mac... Viola! it's back... I feel a tear coming on.
yep... it's all in how I read the fixes.

Thanks so much... I see this issue in the forum from a couple years ago... but I did not find this explanation. Thank you, I hope it helps others

Reply

iCloud and apple hijacked my desktop and won't give it back

Similar questions