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Pindaro.info
User level: Level 1 (12 points)

How to delete iCloud Drive files from my Mac but not from the cloud??

Seems that iCloud Drive is backing up files at user/library/mobile documents/com~apple~cloudDocs.


I have 736GB from iCloud Drive stored in my 1T iMac. That's just ridiculous


I don't want to store iCloud Drive files in this Mac but I don't want to loose my docs access to my other devices.


I've already turn off/on optimized Mac storage with no result and deactivated most of the iCloud Drive features on the pref panel.


Please advice.


System Version: macOS 10.15.1 (19B88)

Model Name: (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)

Model Identifier: iMac19,1

Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Core i5

Memory: 48 GB

Posted on Jan 2, 2020 8:58 AM

5 replies

tygb
User level: Level 9 (65,282 points)

Jan 3, 2020 8:38 AM in response to Pindaro.info

Not possible using iCloud services , when iCloud Drive is turned as on , in front of it click on option button the documents and files folder are in combination and synced with iCloud.com , if you delete files from iCloud.com same will be deleted from iCloud Drive and vice versa .

it is designed in this way only , if you have any different solution post here or else give suggestions to apple , feed back links https://www.apple.com/feedback/

https://www.apple.com/feedback/icloud.html

Eric Root
User level: Level 10 (687,885 points)

Jan 2, 2020 12:22 PM in response to Pindaro.info

iCloud is a syncing service, not an external hard drive. For what you want to do, you need to use another cloud based storage like Dropbox or One Drive.

Pindaro.info Author
User level: Level 1 (12 points)

Jan 3, 2020 6:45 AM in response to Eric Root

Well, It sucks at both.


As syncing service it should not "download" (on hidden folders) all files to all devices. What it should do, is have them available.


The time it takes to actually upload/download does not allow to have the same info everywhere.


Most of the time, mysteriously stops. So I more often than not, end up with 3 different set of files on iCloud Drive because all devices are saving on local storage.


The time I've spend researching for "how to speed up iCloud" is astonishing, considering that I've found threads dealing with the same concern from 3 to 4 years ago.


Today I tried to organize it on the web just to realize that there is "a version" online that is different from what I have on my computer and my iPad.


this rant may come to deaf ears but, if it is a syncing device at least one should have the ability to upload or download files via dropdown menu or finder.


thanks for your answer anyway.



Pindaro.info Author
User level: Level 1 (12 points)

Jan 2, 2020 9:19 AM in response to tygb

what I need is totally the opposite of this.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/251002062