Apple ’s fee for iCloud+ storage tiers are a sore item among enough mass that I ’ve see the doubt arrive up repeatedly : How can I be certain I have a local copy of all my file if I require to reduce my iCloud+ storage payment or stop over yield for iCloud repositing at all ? ( Apple includes a meager 5 GB of storage for all iCloud accounts ; iCloud+ begin at $ 0.99 monthly for 50 GB of memory board . )
Time Machine is n’t the answer , nor are any bulk - cloning or archive putz , local or cyberspace - establish . File and media stack away only in iCloud , with a placeholder for them in macOS , can not be backed up except by forcing downloads to a Mac across three places : Photos , Music , and iCloud Drive . ( I woolgather of a future in which Apple would offer an selection to force a monthly local backup of iCloud - only file . )
I late wrote “ How to migrate away from iCloud+ , ” a brusk guide to finding alternatives to iCloud+ services and storage . But you may want to keep using iCloud ordowngrade to a lower - level iCloud+ planfor the staple and be sure you are n’t lock away away or lose file that are n’t on your Mac and are put in in iCloud . Here ’s how .
Switch to “Download Originals to this Mac” to ensure a local copy of all media.
iCloud Photos
Switch to “ Download Originals to this Mac ” to insure a local written matter of all medium .
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The large issue for most the great unwashed is media synced via iCloud Photos . If you have a big Photos library , you may have enabled optimisation inPhotos > preferences > iCloud . With Optimize Mac Storage chosen , macOS mechanically scour locally stored images and video that have been upload to iCloud if local memory board is need . You ca n’t be certain what ’s stored topically or not , as there ’s no criterion you could use with a fresh folder to make a bent of “ iCloud only ” images .
Switch to “Download Originals to this Mac” to ensure a local copy of all media.
The only agency to be sure that you have a local copy of everything is to change from Optimize Mac Storage to “ Download Originals to this Mac ” in the Photos iCloud setting . It may take a while for your Mac to retrieve all media that it did n’t have locally cached .
Apple does n’t render a tool that exhibit how much local repositing you would want to halt your Photos Library , so you involve to figure out before of time if you have enough room on your startup volume . If you believe you do n’t , conceive moving your Photos Library to an outside thrust with plenty of storage before disenable optimization . This clause from 2021 , “ How to move your Mac ’s Photos library to an SSD for estimable performance , ” remains accurate ( though Preferences has become circumstance in menus ) .
Music
A smart album in Music lets you produce a list of all files you need to download .
You may not even know you are syncing music files from your Music Library with iCloud . Go toMusic > configurations > Generalto see if Sync Library is turned on . If so , you ’re synchronise – but some file may be on your Mac synced from other devices . you could also intentionally or circumstantially delete the local copy of euphony files to rid up space , but still be capable to stream the filing cabinet from your iCloud Music Library — it ’s seamless as long as you have an Internet connection .
To be certain that 100 percent of the music file you ’ve purchased , ripped , or created are on the Mac on which you ’re working , you need to keep up a sequence :
A smart album in Music lets you create a list of all files you need to download.
When the downloads are pure , that smart album will be empty .
This forces a download of all music files that are n’t locally stack away . observe that there are a mickle of fine points around iCloud Music Library step in files depending on whether you have an iTunes Match subscription , an Apple Music subscription , or both . Some files wo n’t sync , too , if they ’re below a minimum encryption quality , above a certain size ( 200 megabit ) , or you ’ve overstep 100,000 files . Applehas a unretentive FAQ about what syncs .
If you lack enough storage for all your music files , you could also move your Music Library to an external cause . However , the appendage is much less square than with Photos . Appleoffers some service in a reenforcement papers .
Disable Optimize Mac Storage to have all your iCloud Drive files downloaded to your Mac. The popover for Documents in the storage allocation bar shows an approximate number, though it includes items not counted towards your iCloud Drive total, too.
iCloud Drive
Disable Optimize Mac Storage to have all your iCloud Drive files downloaded to your Mac . The popover for Documents in the warehousing allocation bar shows an approximative number , though it includes point not count towards your iCloud Drive totality , too .
iCloud Drive is a window to all your uncommitted storage at iCloud for most apps ( not Music and Photos ) . It ’s typical to have an optimized storage set for iCloud Drive in > System configurations > Account Name > iCloud .
as luck would have it , simply disabling Optimize Mac Storage will start download iCloud - only data file . You ca n’t move iCloud Drive to another bulk , so you will have to ensure you have enough computer storage on your inauguration volume . That is , at least , light to find . In the Finder , flick iCloud Drive in any Finder window ’s sidebar or chooseGo > iCloud Drive . ChooseFile > Get Info(Command - I ) to see the aggregate for the iCloud Drive “ leaflet ” ( it ’s not on the dot a leaflet ) . It may take a moment for macOS to update the issue . The Size label establish both the total storage for iCloud Drive files at iCloud.com and the amount locally downloaded ( in divagation as , for representative , “ 14.68 GB on saucer ” ) .
The Finder provides a more accurate total for the storage required for your iCloud Drive files on your startup volume.
The Finder provides a more precise total for the reposition required for your iCloud Drive file on your inauguration book .
you may use the orbitual progression picture next to iCloud Drive in a Finder windowpane sidebar to know when the process is finished .
This Mac 911 article is in reaction to a question reconcile by Macworld reader Dave .
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We ’ve compiled a list of the question we get asked most frequently , along with answers and nexus to column : understand our super FAQto see if your head is covered . If not , we ’re always see for new problem to solve ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , including covert captures as appropriate and whether you require your full name used . Not every question will be answered , we do n’t answer to e-mail , and we can not render direct troubleshooting advice .
