iCloud sync deletes my local files when canceled?

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Level 1

71 points

iCloud sync deletes my local files when canceled?

Please tell me that I just missed something obvious and it's not really possible that the OS can actually delete all my documents.

What am I talking about? I found the new feature to "manage your storage" by having documents uploaded to iCloud... as in - ALL of them. Naturally, the first thing I wanted to do is to turn it off as it looked like it was already on. My mistake, it was off and I turned it on. No big deal, I thought, let's turn it back off. Here's where the issues began.

Issue #1 - It started uploading all 90 GB of data to iCloud, I click on the "i" icon which opened a new window showing the progress with an "X" icon to stop the upload. Well, the "X" icon does not work! I can not stop the upload of my data. It's beyond ridiculous. I had to cut off WiFi, but even then it wouldn't let me just cancel the upload and would continue the moment I went back online.

Issue #2 - The option in the iCloud Settings allows me to un-check "Desktop & Document folders" from the list of stuff uploaded to iCloud Drive, but... that's actually a lie. Disabling it will not disable having this stuff on iCloud, it will actually disable having them stored locally. Yes, I can choose between having access to my files only via iCloud or via iCloud AND locally, not just locally (once it's enabled). Unbelievable.

Issue #3 - At this point, luckily, I've quickly moved all data that was awaiting upload to iCloud to a new folder and I'm so glad I did that because when I finally decided to turn off the option to sync Documents and Desktop folders and log out from iCloud to stop all the uploading attempts... it deleted all local files that were not uploaded yet! That is beyond... I can't even...

The bottom line is - I've managed to reconstruct the Documents folder from the copy and didn't lose any data, but please someone tell me that this isn't real. I mean, it can't possibly be true that there is a possibility in the OS to lose all your data if you try to stop the upload to iCloud. Shouldn't it just be restored back to its original location the moment I stop the iCloud sync? Wouldn't that be like... the most basic failsafe any OS should have? Keep the data until the upload is 100% complete and only then delete it?

Please someone tell me I've overlooked something and there really is no way to lose data like this, though... I've really searched everywhere for over an hour and it just wasn't there. There was just the copy I've made.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), null

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 5:10 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 4, 2017 8:15 PM in response to Barney-15E

Not FUD, read the entire post.

"Turning off iCloud sync warned me that turning it off would delete all my local files and they would only be available in iCloud, unless I had previously copied to another location - and back, or I could download from iCloud. 200GB is a lot of download, and copying large sets of files is always troublesome."

Saying the files are still accessible via the system level in the OS is not a solution. iCloud should provide the ability to designate the master file location (Local or Cloud), as well as provide a 'Pause' synchronization feature.

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,240 points

Feb 5, 2017 4:47 AM in response to roadkingruss

It's not our fault you didn't understand the dialog box, and is completely irrelevant. Stating that you can't disable the feature and have files stored locally is complete FUD.

I described how it works, which is in complete contradiction to your FUD.

If you cannot re-establish the local folders as default, why was it so easy for me to do it?

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Answer 3

Feb 4, 2017 1:54 PM in response to VarHyid

Epic Fail!

I have the same problem, and have confirmed with Apple Support that once iCloud Sync is enabled, there is no way to re-establish the local files as the primary storage location. In fact, all files get uploaded automatically and you cannot disable sync, even temporarily. I copied a large video file for editing on to my desktop, and sync away it did... I happened to be tethered to my iPhone at the time, so now my computer is operating and cellular data speeds, and consuming all my data plan allowance. Turning off iCloud sync warned me that turning it off would delete all my local files and they would only be available in iCloud, unless I had previously copied to another location - and back, or I could download from iCloud. 200GB is a lot of download, and copying large sets of files is always troublsome.

File sync and share technology has been around for several years now, it's nothing new, and all other providers allow for pausing the sync, establishing primary locations for files vs cloud only location as the dictator. It seems like the team at apple responsible for this is the same team that is in charge of the 'wonderful' Apple Music. sad.

I have several Apple products and am a loyal Apple user and fan. However, the past 12 months have been difficult with big misses like this.

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Answer 4

Feb 5, 2017 11:43 AM in response to Barney-15E

Yes, you're right. I completely agree now. Now that I read it carefully and with your helpful explanation I see that iCloud Sync does require manual copying of files from one location to another in order to keep them locally once disabled.

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,240 points

Feb 4, 2017 2:24 PM in response to roadkingruss

I have the same problem, and have confirmed with Apple Support that once iCloud Sync is enabled, there is no way to re-establish the local files as the primary storage location.

FUD.

When you disable Desktop & Documents, it tells you that it will remove them from your Mac and you have to copy them back from iCloud to your Desktop and Documents folders.

When you copy them back to those folders, it will warn you that they will be removed from iCloud Drive.

Even if you disable it when it is partially uploaded, you can still transfer back from the iCloud Drive folders. There will be placeholders for every file you had stored locally. Dragging those back to the local folders will put everything back. You see, even when you move them into the iCloud Drive, they are still stored on your Mac. You just can't see where they are.

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