Sonoma Automatically Started Downloading Everything on My HD to Icloud! How to turn off Mac downloading to Icloud

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Level 1

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Sonoma Automatically Started Downloading Everything on My HD to Icloud! How to turn off Mac downloading to Icloud

I just realized that since updating to IOS Sonoma 14.1.1 that my macbook pro is downloading everything from my HD to Icloud. I turned off desktop and document folders but all the folders have already been removed from my documents and are trying to upload to icloud. I need to figure out how to stop it without losing 20+ years of data and documents! I turned off Desktop & Documents Folders in settings but it appears I also have to turn off Icloud drive on the mac as well? Is this correct? Will I still have icloud syncing my other mobile devicdes if I turn this off? Additionally, I get this warning: If you turn off iCloud Drive, all documents stored in iCloud will be removed from this Mac.

I assume this means it won't just put everything back where it came from?

How do I fix this? Someone said you can tell it to stop downloading each individual folder but since they are already gone from documents what happens then?

Do I need to move each file individually back to where they belong and then turn off Icloud sync? I tried a bulk move and a bulk copy paste but it won't let me move them all at once. It does appear as if I can move them one at a time.

My Icloud storage is almost full thanks to this mess and could be within a day. PLEASE HELP! Thank you!

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Nov 29, 2023 3:51 PM

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Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

94,656 points

Nov 29, 2023 5:45 PM in response to CCAPPL

Presumably you have a backup of your 20+ years of data, correct? Have it handy, just in case.

If you turned off desktop and documents, that's where to start. In finder, go to the desktop and/or the documents folder in your iCloud Drive location. Drag the contents back to each respective folder on your Mac. (when you turn off desktop and documents, your files are kept in iCloud and a new desktop and new documents folder are created on your Mac.

Once done, drag anything that you were syncing in the iCloud Drive folder to the desktop, documents, or some other location that does not sync. That will remove the sync to iCloud and keep your files accessible in a location that you know.

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Answer 2

CCAPPL Author

Level 1

43 points

Nov 30, 2023 9:27 AM in response to muguy

@muguy Thank you for your fast help! I do have a backup, though am traveling so let's hope I don't need it! 🤞🏼

I have now moved each file back to my documents manually and all seems to be in tact. Although the cloud icon still exists next to several of my files in icloud so I'm not sure what that is about.

There is one I can't get to move. It's an old Final Cut Pro Library taking up about 150 gb. Not sure if this is a slow internet situation - I am traveling or if it's just being challenging! I've tried it several times. Suggestions welcome.

Now that I have the documents and desktop turned off, do I also need to turn off Icloud/Sync This Mac? I feel like that could impact my mobile device use of certain apps like mail, notes, photos, etc?

Bottom line is I really only want Icloud to sync what is on my mobile devices and do backups of those, but I also want to still have access to things like notes when they are created on my mac for instance. Unless I'm misunderstanding how all of this works these days? It seems it's become more complex over the years vs. less. 😂

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Sonoma Automatically Started Downloading Everything on My HD to Icloud! How to turn off Mac downloading to Icloud

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