How can I make iCloud Drive go away forever?

Question

Level 1

14 points

How can I make iCloud Drive go away forever?

I don't want to use iCloud Drive. It is confusing and dangerous. I blame it for the unintended deletion of many documents and photos. It is the reason why I create a new folder called Documents (safe) whenever I get a new mac. What annoys me most is that iCloud Drive is turned on by default whenever I upgrade an OS or get a new computer. I have nightmares about it turning itself on, and keep going into system preferences to make sure it is off.

I just got a new laptop (macbook pro), and sure enough, iCloud drive was turned on by default, even though it is turned off my other devices...i think. I haven't checked them all today.

The setup asked me if I wanted to use iCloud. I do.

But it didn't ask me if I wanted to use iCloud Drive. I most definitely do not.

How can I make iCloud Drive go away and stay away forever?

MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on May 18, 2023 3:31 PM

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Answer 1

tygb

Level 9

65,016 points

May 23, 2023 8:22 PM in response to Ian Sinclair

Your new Mac and old Mac / iPhone that are signed in with same Apple ID and password on the same network Set up iCloud Drive on all your devices - Apple Support , the files / documents and other iCloud data from old devices will sync in new Mac and it can take hours ( depends upon network speed ) , see Keep your files up to date and share them with iCloud Drive - Apple Support

Because your files are stored in the cloud, changes you make on one device — like adding a file to a folder, renaming a file or deleting a file — automatically appear on all your devices. You see the most up-to-date version of your files, no matter where you access them also read If document versions conflict in iCloud Drive on Mac - Apple Support once iCloud data is completely synced .

In new Mac open system preferences > iCloud and uncheck the box of iCloud Drive a pop up window appears , showing to keep a copy of documents , and remove from the Mac .

( a ) if you had clicked on keep a copy , they will be archived in home folder that can be viewed by clicking on finder in the dock , take cursor on top menu bar > Go > Home > your user name > iCloud Drive ( Archive ) .

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

204,777 points

May 18, 2023 7:41 PM in response to Ian Sinclair

Ian Sinclair Said:

"How can I make iCloud Drive go away forever?: [...]How can I make iCloud Drive go away and stay away forever?"

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Avoiding iCloud:

You can cancel your iCloud Plan...

Properly Cancelling iCloud:

1. Download All of iCloud, First:

Prior to downgrading, download all of iCloud. That way you do not lose any data, once downgrading.. Use my user tip: Getting a Quick and Direct "iCloud Drive-to-External Hard Drive" Download - User Tip

then...

2. Cancel your iCloud Plan:

If you want to get no extra storage in iCloud, cancel your iCloud+ plan is the way to go. Here is the link to user: iCloud+ Plans and Pricing - Apple Support. Note that iCloud+ is not a service available in all countries/regions.

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Answer 3

muguy

Level 10

92,378 points

May 18, 2023 5:51 PM in response to Ian Sinclair

Don’t enable iCloud Drive under iCloud in settings. That’s it.

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Answer 4

muguy

Level 10

92,378 points

May 23, 2023 7:47 PM in response to Ian Sinclair

Just turn it off.

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Answer 5

Ian Sinclair Author

Level 1

14 points

May 23, 2023 3:50 PM in response to muguy

You are wrong. iCloud Drive turns itself on. There is no way to install the OS with iCloud without iCloud Drive turning on by default.

It just happened again as I did a clean install on my old Mac. I went immediately to the iCloud in Settings, and found iCloud Drive turned on.

Now the SOB says, "iCloud Drive needs to finish updating before being turned off. WTH?

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Answer 6

Ian Sinclair Author

Level 1

14 points

May 23, 2023 3:57 PM in response to TheLittles

How do I stop it from happening in the first place?

iCloud is fine. I like it. It lowers my blood pressure.

iCloud Drive is a nightmare. I hate it. It raises my blood pressure and makes me yell at my computer like an idiot. It has caused important documents and photos to disappear.

I don't have and iCloud+ plan. I never have.

iCloud Drive is not extra storage. That would be fine, if it was an actual backup. It is not. It removes my files from my computer and parks them on the cloud, while making it look like they are on my computer. There are so many problems with this that I am tired of explaining them.

I like iCloud.

BUT PLEASE MAKE ICLOUD DRIVE GO AWAY.

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Answer 7

TheLittles

Level 10

204,777 points

May 23, 2023 8:02 PM in response to Ian Sinclair

Ian Sinclair Said:

"How can I make iCloud Drive go away forever?: How do I stop it from happening in the first place?[...]BUT PLEASE MAKE ICLOUD DRIVE GO AWAY."

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iCloud Drive will not Go Away:

So why are you so ecstatic about it? iCloud Drive is a service provided to you as a customer using Apple.

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How can I make iCloud Drive go away forever?

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