Where do files downloaded from iCloud Drive end up on a Mac?

Question

Where do files downloaded from iCloud Drive end up on a Mac?

Hello everyone. I am currently learning how to use a Mac and am wondering about one thing. I am not sure if there is something that I have done wrong or something but here goes:

I have a few files stored in my iCloud Drive that I wish to download to my MacBook Air. However, whenever I download the files I cannot find them locally on my MacBook anywhere. Is there a default folder where they all get sent to after downloading them from the cloud that I just do not know about and if so where is this magical folder?

Also, is there a way to change the default location to where files downloaded from iCloud Drive end up?

Thank you in advance for all of your assistance.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.4

Posted on Mar 19, 2024 2:43 PM

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Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

91,322 points

Mar 19, 2024 3:44 PM in response to ExplodingJuice

If you download from the website the files are save to your downloads folder.

if you sync iCloud Drive, files are stored in the iCloud Drive folder.

both are accessible in finder.

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Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

91,322 points

Mar 19, 2024 5:31 PM in response to ExplodingJuice

Any file that you sync to iCloud in files is already stored in the iCloud Drive folder. There is no need to download it as it is already on your Mac. The only exception is if you have optimize storage turned on in settings. Optimized files are offloaded to iCloud only but are easily synced again in the iCloud Drive folder.

if you download a file using a browser, you’re downloading an additional copy to your computer.

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Answer 3

muguy

Level 10

91,322 points

Mar 19, 2024 4:44 PM in response to ExplodingJuice

Anything in iCloud Drive is already on your Mac. If you elected to optimize storage then some of your files may be offloaded to iCloud only but only if space is needed on your Mac. There is typically no need to download your files. Optimized files can be downloaded again by right-clicking on the file and selecting download.

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Answer 4

Mar 19, 2024 4:05 PM in response to muguy

Thank you for your response. However I am a bit confused. When I download a file from iCloud Drive is it not supposed to show up in the download folder on my Mac? Downloading from the iCloud website is working as it should, it is just the iCloud Drive portion that I am not quite understanding.

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Answer 5

Mar 19, 2024 4:37 PM in response to muguy

If I download directly from the iCloud Drive within the Finder, where do those files go? That is my main concern. You mention an iCloud Drive Folder, which I see on the Sidebar but the files I am trying to download do not show up there. It only shows what I have stored in the cloud. Am I correct in assuming that the only way to actually get your files to download to the Download folder is downloading them directly from the iCloud website and not directly from the iCloud Drive folder in the Sidebar?

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Answer 6

Mar 19, 2024 5:07 PM in response to muguy

This is still a bit confusing to me so I guess for now I will just continue to download directly from the iCloud website. Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to assist me with my issue. Have a great evening.

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Where do files downloaded from iCloud Drive end up on a Mac?

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