iCloud as backup only

iCloud is primarily a synchronization service. Anything in iCloud is also on your device. you can elect to optimize files. If your device needs space, then the oldest/least accessed/largest files will be offloaded to the cloud only.

That isn't an option with iCloud Drive.

The most that you can do to get closer to that is to turn on the Optimize Mac Storage option for iCloud Drive. With that option on, all iCloud Drive files will have a local copy on your Mac you have enough space but if you are low on space older files will be stored only on iCloud.

The easiest way is to drag any folders out of iCloud Drive and onto your desktop or into your documents folder (provided you do not sync desktop and documents), then turn off syncing. If you sync desktop and documents, drag your folders to some other location in your home folder temporarily first. Then turn off sync and move your files wherever you would like.

kotodama56 wrote:

Sincere thanks for your replies. I understand now. How can I get my files off of iCloud to solely rely on my local drive(s) again? iCloud is too convoluted for my purposes. I just want a way to open up space on my system drive by keeping older files elsewhere. Period.

There are other cloud services that have options to do that. I believe Dropbox and OneDrive have that option and possibly also Google Drive.