Thank you @Zurarczurx!
I want to acknowledge, this workaround has worked for me:
“Click on iCloud in Finder’s LH pane (if it’s not there go to finder/Settings/Sidebar and click iCloud)
In the RH pane of Finder you should see the folders and files which are on the iCloud drive with a cloud next to them. Right click the Cloud and select Keep Downloaded and the files/folders will stay on your Mac. Same with Files on iDevices.”
My concern is where files are stored and how synching works - let us not get caught on the term "backup" for now and address that separately, please.
What I expect and assume from "synching to the cloud" 👀
When I decided to sync my files with the cloud, I expected all my files to remain on my device where they have been created while also being available in the cloud, in other words, "copied" to the cloud. I assumed that any changes I made locally would be reflected in the cloud—from my machine to the cloud, ensuring that I always had an up-to-date original file on my device where I created or amended the file. Hence, I expected that my files, the originals, would be always available on my device, even if I went offline, since they were being “synced to the cloud” rather than moved. It literally is not possible the other way round - I sync files that I create on my machine with the cloud.
👉 Please note the semantics: "I sync to the cloud" versus "I sync from the cloud".
👉 Backed by several sources, in the context of data and files, synchronising means ensuring that two locations, such as a device and the cloud, contain the same files and updates. It maintains consistency between copies by reflecting changes made in one place to the other, keeping multiple versions in harmony so they remain identical or updated in real time.
The "Master" is Clearly my Device where files and data originates!
Files originate on my device, making it the "master location". Syncing happens later, copying them to the cloud—or rather, mirroring modifications made locally in the cloud. The process of synching does not change where files are created or controlled.
a. File Origination Defines the Master: Files are created and amended on my device first, meaning it holds the master files and should be treated like the master. The cloud only stores a copy or mirrors changes—the cloud does not create the originals. The creator of a file should always be the authority over its existence.
b. Syncing is a Secondary Process: Syncing happens after file creation. The cloud is a destination, not the source, meaning it should not dictate file presence on my device. The cloud only stores a copy, not the original, or merely mirrors modifications made to the files. A copy disappearing from the cloud or discontinuing synchronisation should not affect the original master file unless manually deleted or otherwise selected by the user / master.
c. Files Should Never Go Missing by Default: If a master file disappears due to syncing, then the system is not syncing but replacing or overriding—which contradicts the idea of synchronising. A master file should not be at risk of unintended deletion simply because syncing is enabled (or disabled).
d. The Device Has Priority Over File State: The device is where file creation, modification, and deletion originate. The cloud should only react to these changes, not dictate them. If the cloud is allowed to remove local files arbitrarily, then it becomes a controller, not a sync service.
Per my deduction and conclusion: Since files originate on my device, it must be the master—syncing just extends access, not ownership.
I hope all this makes sense?
Thank you all!
Yours truly,
Uwe
PS: For completion, the definition of a backup can vary, and I use the term in a broad sense. General Meaning / Definition: A backup is a secondary or substitute option that can be used if the primary one fails or becomes unavailable (e.g. lost device or replacement). However, it depends on the aspect you focus on. The idea that a proper backup must always be separate from the original is one approach, but not the only one. Different risks require different backup strategies—some backups exist to restore lost files, while others allow you to roll back changes or keep files accessible across devices. What matters most is what you’re protecting against, so your strategy should match your needs—and you may even combine different approaches, for instance, as I do.
PPS: I use British English
PPPS: I am not a native English speaker.
