Can Mac Pro 10.13.6 selectively sync Photos, Desktop, Docs?

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Can Mac Pro 10.13.6 selectively sync Photos, Desktop, Docs?

I can't get my question fully answered, but I have a 2009 Mac Pro that I still use once in a while. OsX 10.13.6. It is still fully synced up with my M3 MBP. I still want to use air drop and some file sharing, bit I want to turn off certain items in syncing. I don't need photos, the desktop, trash, and documents. Does this older Osx allow me choices? Can you give e the proper steps. I keep fighting AI to get the right answer.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.5

Posted on Jul 27, 2026 12:16 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Phil0124

Community+ 2026

Level 10

230,876 points

Jul 27, 2026 12:30 PM in response to nelsonmay

You can turn off iCloud Photos and Desktop & Documents folders independently off each other and off whatever files you copy directly onto the iCloud Drive folder in Finder if that is what you mean. Don't believe the trash can syncs over iCloud though.

For Photos, open the Photos App on the Mac Pro, and go the Photos Menu, then Preferences ➜ iCloud ➜ iCloud Photo Library and turn it off.

For Documents & Desktop syncing, you can turn it off in System Preferences ➜ iCloud ➜ iCloud Drive ➜ Options ➜ Desktop & Documents Folders and uncheck it to turn it off.

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Answer 2

kaz-k

Level 9

52,460 points

Jul 30, 2026 8:20 AM in response to nelsonmay

Hi,

Yes, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6) can selectively sync Photos, Desktop, and Documents, but Desktop and Documents sync together as a single package rather than separately.

Desktop and Documents:

Combined toggle: You can turn on or off syncing for both the Desktop and Documents folders together.
How to change: Go to System Preferences > iCloud, click Options next to iCloud Drive, and check or uncheck Desktop & Documents Folders.
Limitation: You cannot sync the Desktop folder while leaving the Documents folder un-synced (or vice versa) using the native iCloud feature; it is an all-or-nothing choice for those two combined paths.

Photos:

Independent toggle: iCloud Photos operates completely separate from Desktop and Documents storage.
How to change: Open the Photos app, go to Preferences > iCloud, and check or uncheck iCloud Photo Library.
Storage control: You can choose between Optimize Mac Storage to save space or Download Originals to this Mac.

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