Recovering desktop files when syncing is turned off

My storage is almost full and I wanted to delete files from my icloud but keep them on my desktop. I turned off syncing on my mac and every file on my desktop disappeared. Prior to disabling syncing, when I deleted a file from icloud drive, it also was removed from my desktop....I just want to remove files from my icloud to free up storage but KEEP those files on my desktop.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Feb 7, 2025 7:03 PM

Similar questions

Recover files to Desktop after losing them in ICloud I tried to add files to cloud but realized too late, if I turned cloud off, I would lose files on my Mac book desktop. I'm trying to recover those files. I went to ICloud's file recovery and it's showing 5gb max usage but I'm unable to see anything there. It states that I have no files to recover. Is there a different way to get around this and recover the files back to the desktop? Thanks
3263 5
I'm trying to stop syncing my documents and desktop because i don't have enough space on icloud, i want to store everything on my macbook pros ssd, but when i tryed to stop syncing i was scared it'll delete everything So i want to make sure after i stop syncing my documents desktop files on icloud i still have them on my MacBooks ssd
3114 2
Keeping iCloud drive files *ONLY* in iCloud—is that possible and/or wise? Hello! I've searched high and low on here and, like so many others, not found an answer. In my iCloud settings on my M1 iMac, I have selected 'Optimise Mac Storage' when says: "The full contents of iCloud Drive will be stored on this Mac […]'. If I deselect this, will it affect files on iCloud drive? Are the files on iCloud Drive backed up somewhere in 'The Cloud'? What becomes of the folder 'iCloud Drive (archive)' on my iMac hard drive if I were to deselect 'Optimise Mac Storage'? Finally, this little button is poorly labelled, because what it really means is that if you *deselect* it, then you will optimise storage on your desktop. Thanks!
432 1

There are no replies.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Recovering desktop files when syncing is turned off

Welcome to Apple Support Community

A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.

Learn more Sign up