Fail to upload large files to iCloud Drive

Question

Level 1

16 points

Fail to upload large files to iCloud Drive

I want to backup iMovies I created on my 2024 MacBook Air running Sequoia to my iCloud Drive. Uploading the first 2GB movie file failed. I have read that the file size limit is 50GB and I have 125GB available on iCloud Drive. My upload speed is 21Mbps.

Then I tried uploading a small 250MB file to iCloud and by Box account. Both uploads completed. However, the Box upload finished in 2 seconds and the iCloud upload finished in about 2 minutes.

Any suggestions on the best way to back up five 2GB iMovies I created?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.1

Posted on Dec 6, 2024 3:12 PM

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Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

83,479 points

Dec 7, 2024 1:45 PM in response to John WM

You can sync files of up to 50GB using the files app. Photos syncing sizes are restricted much lower. Remember, this is a sync, not a backup. You should already be backing up using Time Machine (or similar) as part of a good backup strategy.

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Answer 2

John WM Author

Level 1

16 points

Dec 8, 2024 9:45 AM in response to muguy

Thanks for your response. I only see the Files app for iPhone and iPad. Is there one for MacBook too? I don't use Time Machine anymore because I don't store any of my files on my Mac, I store them all on box.com.

I also tried storing one iMovie in a shared iCloud photo album but it was rejected because the movie exceeds the 15 minute video limit (my movies are ~25 minutes).

Rather than trying to sync to Apple Drive, I think the best solution for me will be to upgrade my free Box account (current file limit 250MB) to Personal Pro which will allow me to store 5GB files. Then all my files and movies will be in one place.

Any other thoughts on this?

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Answer 3

John WM Author

Level 1

16 points

Dec 8, 2024 4:00 PM in response to muguy

I agree about not relying solely on online storage in case something happens there. In addition to keeping file backup versions on Box, I also keep a backup of my important files on my portable storage device. Thanks for your response. I appreciate it.

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Answer 4

muguy

Level 10

83,479 points

Dec 8, 2024 2:33 PM in response to John WM

On a Mac, it’s iCloud Drive. Save files there to sync with iCloud. I wouldn’t store anything solely online unless you have a backup of the files.

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