What's the criteria for moving local files to just iCloud?

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Level 2

221 points

What's the criteria for moving local files to just iCloud?

I have a MBP, running is 14.5 (500GB drive, using 288GB) and an iMac on 13.x, and pay for 50GB of iCloud storage. I've noticed this for many years and its bugged me.

What I want to happen: All my files stay on both Macs AND in iCloud server.

What I see happening: Many files on the MBP will no longer be local, but on iCloud.

I see the file list, of course, but when I'm previewing (with the space bar) 100MB Photoshop files, it has to re-download them, which takes a while. What causes some files (I assume dormant ones?) to no longer be local but iCloud only?

Thanks for any advice on this.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.5

Posted on Jul 1, 2024 6:33 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

muguy

Level 10

92,102 points

Jul 1, 2024 8:18 PM in response to marc cardwell

System Settings > Apple ID

You'll see "Optimize Mac Storage" as an option.

Be sure to turn the toggle off (grey)

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Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

92,102 points

Jul 1, 2024 10:46 AM in response to marc cardwell

Turn off optimize storage in settings and all of your files will remain on the Mac

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Answer 3

AlWeir

Level 5

5,103 points

Jul 1, 2024 10:46 AM in response to marc cardwell

iCloud backs up you Desktop and Documents amongst other apps data that you might have installed. It is not really a backup for your computer. TimeMachine is for that and other third party apps. You can backup other data manually if you want in Finder. I prefer to back up locally to a SSD rather than using iCloud, but that's just me.

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Answer 4

marc cardwell Author

Level 2

221 points

Jul 1, 2024 11:20 AM in response to muguy

Thanks! I see three buttons and choices:

store in iCloud (right now says Optimize... when I click it, it asks "Do you want to optimize all photos and videos in iCloud?" then Cancel or Optimize)) It's not turned on
optimize storage (right now says Optimize... when I click it, it asks "Do you want to optimize storage of movies and TV shows?" then Cancel or Optimize)) It's not turned on
empty trash automatically (turned off)

What am I missing?

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Answer 5

Jul 1, 2024 11:43 AM in response to marc cardwell

marc cardwell wrote:

I thought I replied to your post, but it looks like a general comment, would you see what I wrote above?

Just so you know, everyone can see every post in the thread regardless of who it was addressed to.

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Answer 6

Jul 1, 2024 12:07 PM in response to marc cardwell

marc cardwell wrote:

I know! But I wasn’t sure if they’d receive a notification if I replied like it did vs directly to them. I clicked on reply but it didn’t show that way.

If they are subscribed to the thread, they should receive an email notification (sometimes the system gets a bit confused). However, not everyone subscribes to threads.

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Answer 7

marc cardwell Author

Level 2

221 points

Jul 2, 2024 6:16 AM in response to muguy

Ah! I searched for "Optimize" and only saw the other 3 items I mentioned before. The changes to System Settings in this Sonoma upgrade were jarring to me. IDK how long that setting has been on, now that it's off, I wonder what will happen? Will the files slowly re-download, or only when I access them? We will see.

Thanks for helping!

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Answer 8

marc cardwell Author

Level 2

221 points

Jul 1, 2024 11:14 AM in response to AlWeir

I get that, I have TM backups. I just want my files to stay on my Mac and not just be in the cloud. Thanks, tho!

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Answer 9

marc cardwell Author

Level 2

221 points

Jul 1, 2024 11:21 AM in response to muguy

I thought I replied to your post, but it looks like a general comment, would you see what I wrote above?

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Answer 10

marc cardwell Author

Level 2

221 points

Jul 1, 2024 11:57 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I know! But I wasn’t sure if they’d receive a notification if I replied like it did vs directly to them. I clicked on reply but it didn’t show that way.

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Answer 11

marc cardwell Author

Level 2

221 points

Jul 1, 2024 12:34 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks. I’m just trying to figure out why my files leave my Mac and just live in iCloud.

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What's the criteria for moving local files to just iCloud?

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