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Why am I unable to edit any TextEdit document stored in iCloud Drive? Whenever I try to make changes,I get this message.
Can’t Open File
Drive cannot open this file. Would you like to download it to this device instead?
What could be causing this issue, and how can I resolve it? Thanks
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.0
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your reply.
Like you, I don’t have "Optimize Mac Storage" turned on either—I only use it on my iPhone.
I understand that iCloud is primarily a synchronization service. However, I can open, view, and edit my Numbers files, as well as create new ones, directly in iCloud. The same goes for my Notes files; I can open, edit, and create new notes in the cloud.
Given this, I assumed the same would apply to TextEdit files. But it seems TextEdit files can't be opened or viewed in iCloud, which I hadn’t realized. It looks like TextEdit isn't included in the list of iCloud apps.
Here’s the link I found:
https://support.apple.com/en-uz/guide/icloud/mm203ae070a2/icloud
I didn't get your link to work-- maybe it was this:
Apps and features that use iCloud - Apple Support
Mostly it saves apps' settings and some data. It lists a bunch of apps, but "view and edit" is only in a few. The things I had looked at editing were obviously the wrong things.
iCloud doesn't really have editing tools. iCloud is a synchronization service that makes files available on all your devices, and that's where you do the editing, etc.
I can see my pictures in iCloud Photos, and I can do a little with them, but I can't edit them there. You can look at many of the files in iCloud Drive, but you can't edit them.
iCloud Drive is a folder on your Mac that has all the files in it that you see in iCloud Drive at iCloud.com. All those files are local to the Mac, and that's where you edit them.
If you have "Optimize Mac Storage" turned on, then when your Mac's hard drive gets really full, some lesser used files will be removed to make room. When you need one of those removed files, the Mac will grab the copy at iCloud.com and copy it to your Mac where it will again become a local file. You always use local files. This should all happen transparently. Perhaps the biggest downside of "Optimize" is that backups may not include all your files. I don't do "Optimize" on my Mac, though I use it on my iPhone which has way less storage. To keep the room I need on my MacBook, I put stuff on a tiny (like 1 ounce) SSD that I carry around. I try to keep 20% of my internal drive free.
Do you have "Optimize" turned on in you Mac?
Sorry about the link, but yes, I think it's the same. TextEdit is not on the list.
Can't I edit a textedit document on icloud drive?
