Icloud, choose local files

[CalabiYau]

Hello

Right now I have a 200GB icloud family plan. We are about to run out of space so I am considering to upgrade to the 2TB plan.
In this case, I could use some of this space to backup critical stuff (raw photos, uncompressed videos, etc) instead of having a 90% icloud drive empty.

Is it possible to upload these files (let's say 1TB) to the icloud but not having them in my local computer? My mac has just 256GB SSD and all these info is now in external drives.

At this moment I have fully synced a small amount of docs both in my mac and in the icloud drive. Works flawlessly but I realize that it is not the same case...

Thanks!

PS: Old mac. Mojave 10.14.6

 

[Jared G.K.]

if you turn on 'optimize storage', Mac OS will remove local files that are in iCloud already, in case of running out of local SSD space. However,
a) you won't be able to determine which files will be removed from local (usually the least frequently used ones) and
b) Time Machine (and other backup systems) won't be able to backup files which are in iCloud only, but no longer on the local SSD

 

[MrChad]

Your iCloud storage may exceed the local storage space.
However, you MUST enable the "optimize storage" option on your Mac. You CANNOT associate iCloud Drive storage with an external drive with plenty of space.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/sysp4ee93ca4/mac

The "optimize" option will automatically remove older, unused files from local storage and only keep them on iCloud (until you need them).
However, the automatic optimization process is transparent and you cannot designate specific files and folders as "iCloud-only". You cannot designate specific files or folders as "keep a local copy".

On the downside:

• It will be difficult if not impossible to make a full download of your iCloud files, be it recent or archived ones, simply because your system disk cannot hold them at the same time. Download and eviction is fully controlled by the automatic process.
• Your files will not be reliably backed up by TimeMachine, simply because they are not there.
• The original copy of your files is on Apple gear only. All your local devices only have temporary copies. You need to trust Apple to always do it right.

 

[CalabiYau]

Thanks both for your precise replies!

Not having a backup is not a problem (I would still have my external drives with this info, and actually is not in my time machine). Actually I would have an extra layer of backup (2 external drives vs 2 external drives plus icloud)

What it bothers me is not having control to say what I want in my local folder.

 

[CalabiYau]

One more question. Can I have my full photo library and just optimize the icloud drive files? Or as soon as I set optimize storage it will mess both?

I would like to have a full photo library at least in my mac which is regularly backed up.

 

[MrChad]

Can I have my full photo library and just optimize the icloud drive files? Or as soon as I set optimize storage it will mess both?

Difficult question. Photo library uses its own synch mechanism and should not be directly affected.

However, I could very well imagine that a bulk upload of archive files could easily create an intermediate shortage on the local disk. This may trigger the system to signal the photo library to clean up local photo data.
I am guessing (not aware of an option to (not) "optimize" photos in case of a storage shortage)

Try to run a few tests with your current subscription. Just create a few synthetic files close to your current free capacity.

Creating synthetic files is fairly easy:

• https://osxdaily.com/2013/05/31/create-large-file-mac-os-x/

 

[Brian33]

Can I have my full photo library and just optimize the icloud drive files? Or as soon as I set optimize storage it will mess both?

That's a good question, and I can't claim to definitively know the answer. However, my interpretation of the "fine print" shown below is that optimizing icloud drive and optimizing icloud photos are two separate choices, and that one should not (?) affect the other. My mental model says icloud photos are not part of icloud drive.

I wouldn't trust that interpretation without testing, though!

EDIT: It is interesting that both my screenshots say "Optimize Mac Storage" though, as if that were one feature... By the way, these are Monterey screenshots.