Can I select individual files in iCloud for automatic backup?

Hello StevenFeil,

Thank you clarifying that information for us. Your data will remain on iCloud and automatically sync across compatible devices. Data that syncs on iCloud, doesn't get included in your iCloud backups, because this information is already on iCloud. You did mention you wanted to include what is on iCloud to your Time Machine backups. You can try to make copies of certain iCloud data and move those copies to a different location. Then back them up to your Time Machine backup. This resource can show you how to make copies: Archive or make copies of the information you store in iCloud - Apple Support

We hope this helps you. Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

StevenFeil wrote:

If I understand correctly you are saying it is impossible to have a file automatically backed up to my local hard drive. That I have to manually do this.

No. Anything in iCloud is also on your Mac unless you have elected to optimize files when setting up iCloud Drive. If you optimize, then files may be removed from your Mac to iCloud only and only should space become necessary on your Mac. If you do not optimize then all of your files will backup to Time Machine, including any that you sync to iCloud.

I am concerned because I recently saved over an excel file that I am having to now rebuild. The file was stored on iCloud and is not recoverable that I have determined. I got lucky and it was not a particularly big or important spreadsheet. A pain nonetheless.

Some files may not be best served by leaving in iCloud and working on them. Eg. Some Adobe files have lock files and some Microsoft files, like your Excel workbook, may indeed become corrupt, or the software may bog down, as changes are saved to iCloud.

You do have optimize selected so not all of your iCloud files may be present on your Mac. Otherwise, your files are at ~/Library/Mobile Documents in your user folder. If the files were offloaded to iCloud due to optimization, they will not then be backed up on Time Machine as those files do not exist on your Mac -- they need to be downloaded first.

If you have the space available on your Mac, I'd turn off optimize so that all of your files are backed up.

Hey StevenFeil,

If we understand correctly, you're using iCloud Drive and want to back up important files individually. If that's correct, iCloud Drive should automatically back up, though you can force a save by uploading the file again. Take a look at the section "Work with iCloud Drive files offline" here: Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support

There's also great information here:

How iCloud keeps information up to date across all your devices - Apple Support

What you can do with iCloud storage - Apple Support

Keep your files up to date and share them with iCloud Drive - Apple Support

We hope this helps.

Take care!

If you sync to iCloud, your files are on your computer in the iCloud Drive folder. iCloud is a synchronization service, not offline storage. You can view the folder in finder but you may need to enable it first. Open a finder window and go to Finder > Settings.

Your backup files are in the same folder as in your Mac. Open a finder window and select Go from the menu and enter "~/Library/Mobile Documents" to see everything on your Mac that syncs with iCloud. Then, enter Time Machine (click the icon in your menu bar) and navigate backward through time to see your documents. The files can also be viewed in the Time Machine disk (but I wouldn't mess with those and they are hidden). you'll find the files in your user folder.

Disk space? To see how much space you use in iCloud, go to Apple ID > iCloud. Click "manage" for more breakdown details. To see how much space you use on the Mac, go to General > Storage > iCloud Drive

If you don't optimize, the sizes may be similar, although not necessarily exact, given categorization of files.

Yes. Any files that need to be downloaded will be and then the files will back up in Time Machine should you need to restore your system. It looked like you only had 20 MB in iCloud Drive on the Mac based on your pictures.

Any files not offloaded are already in your Time Machine backup. Navigate to the iCloud folder provided earlier. Then click on Time Machine in the menu bar to view previous backups.

That gives you a breakdown of how your iCloud space is being used. You can ensure that all of your files are downloaded in finder. Navigate to iCloud Drive in the finder sidebar. Any file with a cloud with a download arrow can be downloaded and stored on your Mac

StevenFeil wrote:

Not trying to be rude, LOL, and you know this HOW? I have found only ONE place that suggests optimize and it does not appear to be "on".

The green toggle next to optimize means that optimize is on. You can also check if you sync desktop and documents by clicking on iCloud Drive.

Don't assume everyone spends 20 hours a day figuring all of this out. ~/Library/Mobile Documents means nothing to me.

That's the folder into which all of your iCloud Drive files reside on your Mac. You can more easily see them in finder by turning on the iCloud Drive folders as posted earlier. Or, you can open a finder window and select Go from the menu and enter "~/Library/Mobile Documents" to see everything on your Mac that syncs with iCloud.