Reducing storage on iCloud Drive whilst it is off

Question

Reducing storage on iCloud Drive whilst it is off

I upgraded to High Sierra 3 months ago. Of course (my fault I'm sure) iCloud Drive kicked in and started uploading my files for hours/days on my slow internet link. I went through the usual panics having seen the confusing warnings about stopping iCloud and seemingly losing my data - I increased my storage from Apple (to 200Gb) because of this - before eventually deciding my connection could not cope with all the activity. Nor, indeed, did I need this backup because I already use Time Machine. My other devices would have to manage without synching of my data.

I stopped iCloud Drive (unticked it in Systems Preferences) and duly restored my data to my Mac from Time Machine. I must have decided to keep my data on iCloud Drive; I can't specifically remember but it is still there and I would think I was afraid to delete it in case I ended up with nothing.

Anyway of course I continued to receive a monthly bill for the increase to 200Gb so I have now told Apple to revert to my original 5 Gb. In reply Apple warn that I am currently using 31Gb.

So I go into Systems Preferences, select iCloud, note that iCloud Drive is DE-selected From the events of 3 months ago, and that I am using 31Gb. I click 'Manage...', and note that among other things I have "Other Documents" in the size of 27.2 Gb.

I click on Other Documents, and receive a message "The documents stored in the top level of your iCloud Drive folder take up 27.2 Gb. To free up storage, open iCloud Drive in Finder and delete documents."

If I go into iCloud Drive in Finder/Go, I am eventually told to turn on iCloud Drive to access my files. I don't want to turn on iCloud Drive!

I do not want these "Other Documents" in my iCloud Drive - I turned off iCloud Drive 3 months ago, and a lot will be out of date. And I still have Time Machine backing up my current stuff.

Finally, my question. How do I clear out these document files from iCloud Drive without turning on iCloud Drive. I mean, if I turn on iCloud Drive, won't it start backing up again? That's the last thing I want!

Sorry if this is confusing, and please pardon my ignorance if the answer seems simple to others. But once bitten ...

Posted on Aug 10, 2018 9:30 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LACAllen

Level 8

43,590 points

Aug 10, 2018 1:09 PM in response to Barry Crowley

There is an "app" for iCloud Drive at iCloud.com. It is always on and not dependent on the devices you may used to sync files there.

This is a web based service. None of what I suggest is done on a device. You asked for a way to access iCloud Drive without turning iCloud Drive back on.

If iCloud Drive is ever enabled again on one of your devices, it will sync the deletions you made at icloud.com.

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Answer 2

LACAllen

Level 8

43,590 points

Aug 10, 2018 10:49 AM in response to Barry Crowley

Log in to iCloud.com and manage your files there.

iCloud.com is never "off" even if you disabled it on a device.

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Answer 3

Aug 10, 2018 12:11 PM in response to LACAllen

Thank you for the reply. When I say "off"I am referring to iCloud Drive , and not just iCloud. A distinction that I don't fully understand, to be honest.

However perhaps I am using the wrong terminology when I say "off". Perhaps I should say iCloud Drive is deselected.

My query relates to the fact that as far as I can see, if I select the box alongside iCloud Drive in Systems Preferences, then iCloud Drive will start synchronising my files again. I do not want this.

1. I click on iCloud in Systems Preferences.

2. I see a screen that shows me the storage occupation at the bottom, with a button that says "manage ..." alongside it.

3. I click on "manage ..." and receive the iCloud Manage Storage screen.

4. This screen has a list of apps on the left and I am asked to select one to manage.

5. I select Other Documents (this shows a size of 27.2 Gb and it is these documents I wish to delete).

6. When I select Other Documents a message is displayed saying "The documents stored in the top level of your iCloud Drive folder take up 27.2 Gb. To free up storage, open iCloud Drive in Finder and delete documents."

This is telling me to go into iCloud Drive to delete the documents. To do that I fear I need to select iCloud Drive which as I say I am afraid will kick off the synchronising again.

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