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⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >
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iCloud+ storage. Cost good money, but what use is it if I cannot use it to store files and free up space on my hard drive?
Yes it comes with iCloud Drive - which looks great for folks who want to access stuff from anywhere, but all I want is a place to store stuff. I figured that Apple would supply a more reliable way to do this than LaCie, Seagate, WD etc who's external drives fail regularly.
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.5
DougDarkly wrote: ... but all I want is a place to store stuff.
iCloud may not be for you. It's purpose is, as you say, "for folks who want to access stuff from anywhere."
You say, "external drives fail regularly."
I fear that's true, although I haven't had any failures recently. I use two external drives with Time Machine, and for of my Photos Library and anything else precious to me, I monthly make copies to another drive (or two.)
I've stopped using them, but there are other devices like Dropbox that may be more like what you want.
This is what it says on Apple "Store your files in iCloud and save space on your device"
This at best seems misleading.
If you use iCloud - it is impossible to actually copy files to it in order to "store" them.
If you use iCloud Drive - it does not save space, my library is bursting at seams.
iCloud Drive appears to be a bit nasty, if I want to turn it off it warns me that "If you continue, items will be removed from the Desktop and the Documents folder on this Mac and will remain available in iCloud Drive." In other words you can only get your stuff back if you turn it on again, and by default continue to pay Apple for the storage.
I been devoted to Apple since early 90's, this all seems very different attitude now.
Do you know if I can safely walk away from iCloud Drive without my entire Mac docs being lost?
DougDarkly wrote:
This is what it says on Apple "Store your files in iCloud and save space on your device"
This at best seems misleading.
not really. If you optimize storage and enable messages in iCloud you will save space on your device and retain access to your files. iCloud is a synchronization service, not offline storage.
If you use iCloud - it is impossible to actually copy files to it in order to "store" them.
not sure what you mean.
If you use iCloud Drive - it does not save space, my library is bursting at seams.
you need to enable optimized file storage at system settings - Apple ID - iCloud. Should space become needed on your device, some files will be offloaded to iCloud only.
iCloud Drive appears to be a bit nasty, if I want to turn it off it warns me that "If you continue, items will be removed from the Desktop and the Documents folder on this Mac and will remain available in iCloud Drive." In other words you can only get your stuff back if you turn it on again, and by default continue to pay Apple for the storage.
you can discontinue the service and simply move the files from iCloud Drive to a location that does not sync.
I been devoted to Apple since early 90's, this all seems very different attitude now.
Do you know if I can safely walk away from iCloud Drive without my entire Mac docs being lost?
turn off iCloud Drive if you no longer wish to use it.
I have optimised turn on, yet my HD was chock full. In desperation I searched around on my Mac, and discovered that the unexpected Gb were in Library, a total of 558Gb.
You say "you can discontinue the service and simply move the files from iCloud Drive to a location that does not sync." but to discontinue I must turn it off, then if it is off how do I copy the files back from it?
For sure it does not seem to work for me, but getting away from it seems impossible? The warning when I slide it to OFF is pretty clear "If you continue, items will be removed from the Desktop and the Documents folder on this Mac and will remain available in iCloud Drive."
When you turn off desktop and documents, your files are stored. in iCloud. A new desktop and documents folder are created on your system. Just drag and drop the files.
Files in iCloud Drive can simply then be moved to a location that does not sync before downgrading to the free level.
Fabulous, i am deeply grateful. Nowhere that I have looked in last few days tells you that. Thank you.
So I guess iCloud+ is only really made for iCloud Drive.
I dont think you are correct, there is no way I can get anything off my iCloud storage.
iCloud+ storage - what use is it?
