iCloud drive, where do files download to?

[abeasom]

I just started using iCloud drive on my macs and iPhones/iPads and I'm a little confused how opening files works. When I upload a PDF, it shows up in iCloud drive and Files app but it has the cloud icon with a down arrow. When I open it up, that icon goes away and it makes an animation like it downloaded. That's great and all, but if it does in fact download to my computer or iPhone, where does it go? I don't need every file I open downloaded to my computer or mobile device. I was hoping they would just open within iCloud. Can I delete from my local drive if need be?
Thanks!

 

[lostom]

I just started using iCloud drive on my macs and iPhones/iPads and I'm a little confused how opening files works. When I upload a PDF, it shows up in iCloud drive and Files app but it has the cloud icon with a down arrow. When I open it up, that icon goes away and it makes an animation like it downloaded. That's great and all, but if it does in fact download to my computer or iPhone, where does it go? I don't need every file I open downloaded to my computer or mobile device. I was hoping they would just open within iCloud. Can I delete from my local drive if need be?
Thanks!

The animation is showing you that is downloading from the cloud, you should have a iCloud app or Files (icon) which will show Pages, Numbers, Preview etc, the download is stored there, it allows you access to your files offline for faster access, if you don't want certain files stored there, remove them.
There might be a toggle or the like to disable downloading and just open the file, I'm not sure about that though.
[automerge]1588163367[/automerge]

The animation is showing you that is downloading from the cloud, you should have a iCloud app or Files (icon) which will show Pages, Numbers, Preview etc, the download is stored there, it allows you access to your files offline for faster access, if you don't want certain files stored there, remove them.
There might be a toggle or the like to disable downloading and just open the file, I'm not sure about that though.

This might help you as well.

What is iCloud Drive and how is it different from iCloud? - AppleToolBox

Apple Services | Despite the names, there are big differences between iCloud and iCloud Drive. Find out what they are and how to use them!

appletoolbox.com