I'm graphic designer , want to sync folders automatically

What you describe is what iCloud does. iCloud synchronizes files across all devices accessing iCloud.

iCloud

You should also maintain a backup of your data. iCloud does not provide data backup for a computer.

OneDrive and iCloud are two storage options. However, you can't store your data on the desktop on a Mac, to have it sync to OneDrive.

Whether you use OneDrive or iCloud, save your data in subfolders within the OneDrivd or iCloud top level folder. I am pretty sure that your iPad will only be able to access data in these locations.

"On the cloud" is great for sharing photos, but is not a viable backup solution for everything you have. The stuff is not under your control, and is subject to sloppy handling, arbitrary changes in policy, theft, accidental deletion, data loss [are they making frequent backups using best practices?], and discontinuation of the service. It can easily take three days to restore it at ordinary Internet speeds.

If you do not have a recent local, disk-based backup, your computer is like a ticking Time bomb. You are only one disk failure, one crazy software, or one "oops" away from losing EVERYTHING! Drives do not last forever. It is not a question of IF it will fail, only WHEN it will fail. In addition, you never know when crazy software or Pilot Error throws away far more than you intended.

If you are using another direct-to-disk backup method that you prefer, and you currently have a recent disk-based backup, that is great. If not, you should consider using Built-in Time Machine. Take steps to acquire an external drive as soon as possible. If you buy one, a drive 2 to 3 times or larger than your boot drive is preferable for long term trouble-free operation. Do not pay extra for a drive that is fast.  (You can get by for a while with a "found" smaller drive if necessary, but it will eventually become annoying).

Attach your external drive and use

System preferences > Time machine ...

... to turn on Time Machine and specify what drive to store your Backups on.  It may ask to initialize the new drive, and that is as expected.

Time machine works quietly and automatically in the background, without interrupting your regular work, and only saves the incremental changes (after the first full backup). Time machine backs up every connected drive that is in a Mac compatible format. it can not back up Windows format drives.

Time Machine's "claim to fame" is that it is the backup that gets done. It does not ruin performance of the rest of the computer while doing its backup operations. You do not have to set aside a "Special Time" when you only do backups. When you need it, your Time machine Backup is much more likely to be there.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

howarduns wrote:

Bob, since iCloud stores a copy of the data in the cloud, is this not effectively a backup?

Howard

No. iCloud does not provide backup for computers. It provides file synchronization. For example, if you were to mistakenly delete a file from one device it would be deleted from all devices and from iCloud. There would be no recovery of the deleted file available. Backup schemes like Time Machine provide off-device backup storage. So if you delete a file from a device in error, a backup of the deleted file can be recovered from your Time Machine backup.

I have 50 Gb iCloud storage.

I have 1 Tb OneDrive storage.

Here are my experiences in using both platforms.

When I copy data on Mac, stored outside of the iCloud or OneDrive folders, to either cloud platform, for the purpose of accessing it on my iPhone or iPad, I find that the files synchronize much faster when copied to iCloud (seconds) versus OneDrive (a minute or more).

What I also love about cloud storage (doable with both platforms) is the ability to offload large video files when I don't need them. However, I can see them and download them when needed.

Bob, in response to the original post.

"I want to sync between the folders on Desktop."

I posted the screen grabs so that visually, s/he can see what it looks like.

Technically, you are correct. iCloud is not a true "backup" solution. It synchronizes the current Mac data.

This is why I use the macOS's Time Machine to back up my MacBook.

Thanks for sharing the listings of your files from various views.

But I assure you, those detailed listings are meaning full ONLY to you, the person who created them, and do not further the argument that you are pursuing.

This medium is not conducive to post such extreme DETAILS. What should be posted here instead (or in addition) is your terse conclusions, i.e. The Punchline.

Correct Bob, except that iCloud, like OneDrive does give you the option to restore deleted files for up to one month (after you delete them).

MoeOba, here is what the web interface for iCloud looks like.

You access it at https://www.icloud.com

Time Machine is absolutely the way to go.

If it's important, you should back it up twice.

Time Machine gives you the option of having multiple backups.

External drives occasionally fail. Having redundant backups will give you peace of mind.

I hear you, Grant.

The reason why I posted the Mac and iPad views of iCloud and OneDrive is because the original poster does not yet own an iPad.

The screen grabs give him or her an opportunity to see what it will look like visually.

Howard

Bob, since iCloud stores a copy of the data in the cloud, is this not effectively a backup?

Howard

I use both iCloud abd OneDrive.

This is the view in the Finder on my MacBook.

I also uae Dropbox, but not for autosynchronizing data, except the photos from my iPhone.

Here are the top level iCloud folders on my Mac.

Here are the top level iCloud folders on my iPad, accessed using the Files app.