You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

If I format my HDD (recovery), will be files on iCloud deleted too?

Hello,

I need to erase my Mac and I don't have any external drive to backup my files. I have everything synced on iCloud. Can I format my local HDD without losing my files stored on iCloud?


Thank you!


Regards

David

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 4, 2021 12:00 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 4, 2021 12:27 AM

Yes, your files and Apple Mail e.g. will still be in iCloud. But if you want a real backup (Apps, settings, ...) of your Mac, you'll need a TimeMachine backup. It's always a good idea to have a TM backup besides the synced items on iCloud, so do yourself a favour and buy an external drive and make a backup

iCloud is a sync service. It can back up an iPhone and an iPad, but not an iMac or MacBook

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 4, 2021 12:27 AM in response to ddaveman

Yes, your files and Apple Mail e.g. will still be in iCloud. But if you want a real backup (Apps, settings, ...) of your Mac, you'll need a TimeMachine backup. It's always a good idea to have a TM backup besides the synced items on iCloud, so do yourself a favour and buy an external drive and make a backup

iCloud is a sync service. It can back up an iPhone and an iPad, but not an iMac or MacBook

If I format my HDD (recovery), will be files on iCloud deleted too?

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