Inconsistent file dates and duplicate files in iCloud across devices

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Inconsistent file dates and duplicate files in iCloud across devices

Writing a book using 2 different devices: Macbook Pro; Apple M4 Pro, 48 GB; running Sequoia 15.6.1. AND my desktop: Apple M2 Pro; 32 GB; running Sequoia 15.5. I'm confused as to why the system saves duplicate files, and so I can't be sure which one is the latest. See screenshot. And frankly, the folder does NOT show the same dates for files across devices. It is very confusing. Finally, last month I downloaded the files I was working on to my desktop and then when I was finished with them, dragged them back into the icloud folder. But it seems to me that I should not have to do that; however, I can't work on the file if I just open it up from the icloud folder. Perhaps I've gotten too used to One Drive...so now as I try to move everything over to iCloud, I am confused. See attached screenshots--referencing Chapter 2.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Using iCloud

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Oct 16, 2025 3:00 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 17, 2025 7:30 AM in response to MaryCarolG

MaryCarolG wrote:

Writing a book using 2 different devices

In a similar manner I currently edit the same math memo with LibreOffice Writer in two Macs so I very carefully want to avoid a situation where I'd edit an old version and then overwrite a recent update.

I have noticed that it sometimes might take up to 20 minutes or longer for iCloud Drive to automatically update its contents to match the other Mac's updates. And recently iCloud Drive update seemed to be permanently stuck which was cleared by a reboot.

So when going to the another Mac I always check the modification date of the file I'm going to edit. Initially I forced iCloud Drive to update its contents by doing a dummy update to some file or creating a dummy new folder. It seemed to work but lately I suspected it might not handle ALL possible file updates.

So currently, if in doubt, I often open the file I'm going to edit, close it and open it again. FWIW at least LibreOffice creates an invisible file (.~lock.test.odt# below -- I guess that is to prevent other people editing the same file via network) when opening .odt test file which causes iCloud Drive to display a quick update in its sidebar icon. Then I re-open the file for the actual edit session.

ls -al
-rw-r--r--  1 matti  staff   111 Oct 17 17:11 .~lock.test.odt#
-rw-r--r--@ 1 matti  staff  8318 Oct 17 17:10 test.odt

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