TextEdit app behaving differently - TextEdit creates iCloud Drive folder

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Level 1

96 points

TextEdit app behaving differently - TextEdit creates iCloud Drive folder

This just started and I have no idea why, except the only thing I did different was to sign out of iCloud and then back in.

All settings the same as before of what goes to my iCloud drive/iCloud etc.

I then wanted to create a "TEXT EDIT" note which I have done before.

What's different now is the following:

When I used to click my "TEXT EDIT" App, even with iCloud drive/icloud on, it would open a new doc window right away.

It no longer does this.

It now opens a window showing where to pick a file from, and if I want a new document, the bottom left has a "New document" button I can press to be able to type my note.

When I press that, it give me my new window to type my doc but also creates a "TEXT EDIT" File Folder in my iCloud drive.

When I look where my doc will save to, it says to this file in my iCloud Drive so I have to change it to Desktop (where I want it).

I did a few things to correct this file folder from creating in my iCloud drive but it keeps creating one so decided to turn iCloud and iCloud Drive off.

I then Clicked my "TEXT EDIT" app and got the new doc window like I always did before. (even when iCloud/iCloud Drive were on)

Turned iCloud drive back on, and when I click the app, I am back to square one.

Please tell me how to fix this... I see no setting for this at all.

MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 8:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Quacks Author

Level 1

96 points

Jan 28, 2026 10:05 AM in response to Quacks

SOLVED IT!

I went into settings, then iCloud, then clicked on iCloud Drive. Got the following window and turned off "Optimize Mac Storage".

Now, when I click on the "TEXT EDIT" app, it performs as it did before. Gives me the "Text Edit" window so I can type, and save it to wherever I choose. No file folder is created in my iCloud Drive.

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Answer 2

Jan 29, 2026 11:50 AM in response to Quacks

IMHO. In My Humble Opinion. (One of the few I know…)

Many apps, not just TextEdit, automatically create a folder as a default place to put files. For instance, if you delete the Documents folder, the OS will just create another one, because apps rely on it. Like Matti Haveri, IMHO this is silly for apps like TextEdit.

I have a TextEdit folder in iCloud Drive, too, and I'm ignoring it. There are many computer things that I find it best to just ignore.

Are you sure you don't want your storage "Optimized?" I personally don't use "Optimize Storage" on my Mac, but that's a choice I've made after thinking about it. Here's some stuff that might be useful:

Understanding iCloud Drive - Apple Community

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Answer 3

Jan 28, 2026 12:36 AM in response to Quacks

If I create and save a new TextEdit document to the Mac's Desktop folder (instead iCloud), then close & re-launch TextEdit, it then by default goes to Desktop Open dialog (which I can Cancel etc).

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Answer 4

Jan 28, 2026 8:37 AM in response to Quacks

Quacks wrote:

I was able to put the doc wherever I want it to go, but that 'file folder' still is created in my iCloud drive.

TextEdit might create that IMHO unnecessary folder for itself to iCloud Drive.

But just delete it after verifying there is nothing important inside.

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Answer 5

Quacks Author

Level 1

96 points

Jan 28, 2026 8:12 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Thx... I did all that too. I was able to put the doc wherever I want it to go, but that 'file folder' still is created in my iCloud drive. Also, I had the same results as you with the new doc default.

One note... I do not back anything up to iCloud drive, I only have it to put the odd file into, if I want to share that file with someone else, either by link or other. Maybe that has something to do with it, I don't know, but never happened till I logged out of iCloud and back in.

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Answer 6

Quacks Author

Level 1

96 points

Jan 28, 2026 12:46 PM in response to Matti Haveri

Hi,

I didn't know what you meant by, IMHO unnecessary folder. (Not familiar with the speak so looked it up and found this...."In my humble opinion". What I right? :)

Whatever it is, looks like this is a new feature for iCloud Drive as I just tried to create a spreadsheet in Numbers. Same thing happened as it did for text edit. Got a "Numbers" folder in there now.

I have to say, I don't like this new feature but would tend to keep you more organized in iCloud Drive.

Looks like you solved my issue. Thank you and will mark accordingly if this new smart posting allows me.

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Answer 7

Quacks Author

Level 1

96 points

Jan 28, 2026 10:19 AM in response to Quacks

Not Solved.... Same issue when I click "New Document", the folder is created.

Could my app be syncing to iCloud and if so, how do I stop that?

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