I M
Level 2 (245 points)

Q: Files uploaded to iCloud Drive also taking up space on local hard drive

Hello all!

 

Quick question:

 

Why are files uploaded to iCloud Drive also taking up space on my hard drive?  I want to use my iCloud Drive for cloud based back up of certain files.  I do not want these files to sync automatically, but to live in the cloud unless I need them. 

 

When I upload something to iCloud Drive it also appears to be stored locally on my hard drive, as my available disk space is reduced by the size of the file I have uploaded to iCloud Drive.

 

Thoughts?

MacBook Pro (15-inch 2.4/2.2 GHz), OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Nov 5, 2014 8:29 PM

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I M

Q: Files uploaded to iCloud Drive also taking up space on local hard drive

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Nov 5, 2014 8:32 PM in response to I M
    Level 10 (271,794 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 5, 2014 8:32 PM in response to I M

    The iCloud Drive is on your computer. It always was.

  • by I M,

    I M I M Nov 5, 2014 8:43 PM in response to I M
    Level 2 (245 points)
    Nov 5, 2014 8:43 PM in response to I M

    For clarification, let's say I have a 1GB file on my HD in my movies folder, and I upload it to iCloud Drive.  The file should now exist in two places, on my local hard drive and in the cloud.

     

    Once the upload is complete, it is like I have two copies on my local hard drive in terms of disc space usage (i.e. 2GB of my local disc space is used, rather than the 1GB that should be used for the local copy).

  • by I M,

    I M I M Nov 5, 2014 8:53 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 2 (245 points)
    Nov 5, 2014 8:53 PM in response to Kappy

    So there is no cloud based storage, it ONLY maintains a local copy?

     

    In other words, there is no way to have a file live only in the cloud?

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Nov 6, 2014 10:21 AM in response to I M
    Level 10 (271,794 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 6, 2014 10:21 AM in response to I M

    No, there is a copy in the cloud and it counts against your allowed iCloud storage. But it will also appear on your iCloud Drive.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Nov 6, 2014 10:30 AM in response to I M
    Level 10 (108,894 points)
    iCloud
    Nov 6, 2014 10:30 AM in response to I M
    In other words, there is no way to have a file live only in the cloud?

    No.

    Just a short note in addition to Kappy's answer:  iCloud is not an additional external storage, it is a common storage for keeping the contents synced across all devices.

    What you are moving to iCoud will be copied to all devices that are syncing with iCloud.

    See this link:   iCloud Drive FAQ

     

    With iCloud Drive, you can safely store all your presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, images, and any other kind of document in iCloud. Documents you store in iCloud Drive will be kept up to date across all of your devices, and you can access them from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC.

     

    Here's what you can do with iCloud Drive:

     

    • Store and access all of your documents in one place from any of your devices
    • Keep files and folders up to date across all your devices
    • Create new files and folders from iCloud-enabled apps
    • Work on the same file across multiple apps

  • by Neuerburg,

    Neuerburg Neuerburg Apr 5, 2015 1:19 PM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 5, 2015 1:19 PM in response to léonie

    ? So what happens if I store alle the files from my 1Tb mac (let's assume 190 Gb). And then open up iCloud on my 128 Gb MacBook Air?

     

    Will it melt? or will it just download what I open? (and stop working when I've opened up more than the sinkable space?)

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Apr 5, 2015 1:27 PM in response to Neuerburg
    Level 10 (108,894 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 5, 2015 1:27 PM in response to Neuerburg

    Will it melt? or will it just download what I open? (and stop working when I've opened up more than the sinkable space?)

    I don't know, sorry. I never tried to have more items on iCloud Drive than will fit on all my synced devices. And the Apple support articles don't mention what will happen.