I think I understand the issue. For iCloud folders, the Date Modified does change when the contents of the folder are changed, whether a file is added or edited. You can try adding the "Date Created" column in Finder, which shows when the folder was created and that won't change by any edits to its contents.
I also think this behavior is normal and by design. I don't think sticking to 10.14.5 will stop this from happening. But I could be wrong. It does annoy me when a folder's "Date Modified" sometimes changes for no reason because I use the date as a marker of how long since I've done anything to it. So I completely understand wanting to keep a folder's date unchanged.
I hope this explanation helps.
Sorry, I didn’t really explain properly
I’m looking for the exact date I uploaded a folder to iCloud. Forums in their numbers from 2018 onwards describe how adding a folder to iCloud always changes the date modified. Now essentially, when a folder is uploaded, I’ve noticed it retains its date created, whereas the date modified changes to the upload to iCloud date.
With this, I’ve finally ostensibly found a way to discover when i uploaded my folder to iCloud. My fear, which is probably irrational, is that the exact version of Mojave I had at the time:
I think it was 18F132 <—
Somehow didn’t do this, robbing me of my ability to ascertain the upload date.
The good news is that iCloud changing the date modified to the date of upload seems incredibly consistent on all other versions I’ve tried, including 10.14.6 and the newest Mac OS. Forum posts dating back to High Sierra even talk about the behaviour of iCloud changing folder date modified to that exact date and time of upload. Every time I’ve tried, multiple times, iCloud does replicate the behaviour of changing the modified date to the upload date and time.
I’ve even got old emails telling me my iCloud is almost full on the exact time and date that matches date modified on my folders, suggesting this is the case. Unfortunately, with the severity of my condition, I want to try the exact version I would have had at the ostensible time of upload (date modified on iCloud) to be certain.
If I knew that iCloud changes modified date of folders on upload specifically for the version I seek, or at least that an upgrade from .5 to .6 wouldn’t have had any impact on its behaviour in doing so, it would finally quell what is essentially a very big OCD fear I’ve been having.
I sincerely thank you for your time and patience, taking the time to support someone who frankly has a severe condition. The kindness and help everyone on this board has shown me might seem like a small favour, but to me and my condition it is sincerely appreciated.
