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User profile for user: tze999
tze999 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

why does iCloud Drive take up 150gb of my Macs hard drive storage?

iCloud Drive takes up 150gb of my storage and I only have less than 20 gb of storage left.

I have tried optimising iCloud settings and deleting some files but nothing's helped. I don't even know what is taking up so much space; my I cloud says it's only 5gb full out of 50.

I haven't disabled iCloud Drive yet as I am scared I might lose some files I need.


If anyone can help me out it would be greatly appreciated thanks.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.2

Posted on Mar 20, 2023 3:57 PM

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User profile for user: brbo
brbo
User level: Level 8
35,891 points

Posted on Mar 20, 2023 10:13 PM

Hi tze999,

welcome to the Apple Community.


re: "why does iCloud Drive take up 150gb of my Macs hard drive storage?"


Seems iCloud Drive may be be syncing files from your other devices to make them all available on your Mac. Am no expert, mind you, and do not know your situation.


re: "I have tried optimising iCloud settings and deleting some files but nothing's helped"


Deleted files may be still taking space in the bin. If you empty the bin, and restart your Mac (apple menu > restart) you may see the change when you log back in.


Apple support have a video online that may be helpful.


How to free up space on your Mac — Apple Support

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha2DhifzZZI


All the best :-)

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User profile for user: brbo
brbo
User level: Level 8
35,891 points

Mar 20, 2023 10:13 PM in response to tze999

Hi tze999,

welcome to the Apple Community.


re: "why does iCloud Drive take up 150gb of my Macs hard drive storage?"


Seems iCloud Drive may be be syncing files from your other devices to make them all available on your Mac. Am no expert, mind you, and do not know your situation.


re: "I have tried optimising iCloud settings and deleting some files but nothing's helped"


Deleted files may be still taking space in the bin. If you empty the bin, and restart your Mac (apple menu > restart) you may see the change when you log back in.


Apple support have a video online that may be helpful.


How to free up space on your Mac — Apple Support

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha2DhifzZZI


All the best :-)

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why does iCloud Drive take up 150gb of my Macs hard drive storage?

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