Twocybers
Level 1 (18 points)
Mac OS X

Q: How do I remove iCloud files downloaded to iPad

If I have files in my iCloud drive that were created on my Mac.  I initially these files must be downloaded to my iOS device.  Once they have been downloaded, is there any way to remove the local content on my iOS device?

 

I don't particularly care about an isolated PDF, but I am looking ahead to putting all my Documents and Desktop items into the iCloud Drive under Sierra - at that point the total quantity of files could become an issue.

iPad Air, iOS 10.0.2, iPad Air 2

Posted on Sep 27, 2016 8:29 AM

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Twocybers

Q: How do I remove iCloud files downloaded to iPad

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  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Sep 27, 2016 9:13 AM in response to Twocybers
    Level 5 (4,635 points)
    Applications
    Sep 27, 2016 9:13 AM in response to Twocybers

    If the file(s) reside in iCloud and you remove it, it will be removed from all devices.

  • by Twocybers,

    Twocybers Twocybers Sep 27, 2016 9:18 AM in response to zinacef
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 9:18 AM in response to zinacef

    That is precisely the issue - I want to delete the local copy from my iOS device, but keep the copy on the iCloud drive. 

     

    Well I don't really need it on the iCloud drive, but I really do need to keep the file and once I move the Documents folder under Sierra to the iCloud drive Deleting/Removing the file will mean no copy "exists" for my Mac.

  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Sep 27, 2016 9:23 AM in response to Twocybers
    Level 5 (4,635 points)
    Applications
    Sep 27, 2016 9:23 AM in response to Twocybers

    The iOS device will not keep a local copy, it will reside in iCloud and if you remove it from there, it will be removed from all devices as iCloud is a syncing service, i.e. it syncs all your files and data across all of your devices.

  • by Twocybers,

    Twocybers Twocybers Sep 27, 2016 11:09 AM in response to zinacef
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 11:09 AM in response to zinacef

    I did a simple experiment say says a local copy is retained.  I opened a file on my iPhone - it had to download the first time.  Next I turned my WiFi off.  Rebooted my iPhone.  Returned to the document and it was still viewable.  That suggests to me the document is available on my iPhone.