Removing Desktop and Documents from icloud

Hi. So I upgraded to 10.13.5 and turned on messages in iCloud. doing so maxed out my iCloud storage. I'm on the 2tb plan and have a 1.83tb photos library. and about 100gb of desktop and documents. So I have little wiggle room. I disabled messages on iCloud and I think that freed up the remaining 100gb.


That being said, I dont need my documents folder on iCloud. I rarely use anything in there on my phone or iPad etc, but when I go to uncheck the box, it says items will be removed from this computer and maintained on iCloud -- the exact opposite of what I want. I looked at the apple help documentation and this appears to be the case, it says it creates a NEW documents folder.


How do I turn it off and have it NOT remove my files from my MacBook? it seems utterly ridiculous to remove it, then download 100gb from icloud back on to my computer. I suppose I can move them to another local directory before it removes them, but am I missing something or is this how its supposed to work???


(also I'm REALLY REALLY hoping they up the storage to 3tb at WWDC this year. I really love iclouds functionality and am annoyed I have such a small margin to deal with)

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), macOS High Sierra (10.13.5), null

Posted on Jun 2, 2018 2:20 PM

Reply

Similar questions

1 reply

Jun 2, 2018 8:47 PM in response to Zack Holmes

Hi Zack,


This is what you need to do to turn off the Desktop & Document option in iCloud Drive, and then return the documents to your Mac:



Turn off Desktop and Documents

When you turn off Desktop & Documents Folders, your files stay in iCloud Drive and a new Desktop and Documents folder is created on your Mac in the home folder. You can move files from iCloud Drive to your Mac as you need them, or select all of your files and drag them to the place you want to keep them.

  1. From your Mac, go to Apple menu User uploaded file > System Preferences > iCloud.
  2. Next to iCloud Drive, click Options.
  3. Deselect Desktop & Documents Folders.
  4. Click Done.

If you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud, you have the option to keep a local copy of your files that are in iCloud Drive. Whether you decide to keep a local copy or not, a new Desktop and Documents folder is created in your home folder. If you choose to keep a local copy, your files in iCloud Drive are copied to a folder called iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. Then you have the option to move any files that were in your iCloud Desktop and Documents, back to your new local Desktop and Documents.

From this support article: Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

Best,

GB



User uploaded file

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Removing Desktop and Documents from icloud

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.