How to retrieve Documents from iCloud when offline?

Question

How to retrieve Documents from iCloud when offline?

Hi. What is the best option for my files? Currently I have Documents and Desktop synching to my iCloud account but today the network went down in my street so I could not open the files I wanted to work on. I have an iPhone but that connection was far too slow also (2.6 Mbps) to set up a personal hotspot. Once back online … hence this query … what do you do for working in files yet keep everything synched with iCloud? Thank you.

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 21, 2025 11:36 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Richard.Taylor

Level 6

18,379 points

Feb 23, 2025 10:17 AM in response to Michael Vallance

Michael Vallance wrote:…It seems to be an 'all or nothing' option

But you're using Sequoia, right? Then a right-click on a file in iCloud Drive brings up this menu:

and you can select Keep Downloaded to your Mac.

Obviously, when you work on this file when you're not online, it won't be synced with iCloud.

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Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

92,150 points

Feb 22, 2025 6:44 AM in response to Michael Vallance

If you elect not to optimize storage, your files remain,on your computer at all times.

settings- Apple account - iCloud

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Answer 3

Feb 23, 2025 12:21 AM in response to muguy

Thank you for your advice. It seems to be an 'all or nothing' option whereas I would be happy with some files on my Mac while others synched to iCloud so I could work on those files across devices (e.g., home Mac and work Mac).

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Answer 4

Feb 23, 2025 7:51 PM in response to muguy

Thank you. However, my iCloud is on a continuous "download" (see image).

When these files "download" another set of files begins .. and so it goes on.

How do I stop this and set iCloud to work at specific times (such as when I am trying to do some work on my Mac and require Inter net access)?

Or should I simply stop iCloud altogether?

Thank you for your patience.

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How to retrieve Documents from iCloud when offline?

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