Desktop Syncing to iCloud?
How to Stop It
Apple enabled Desktop & Documents sync by default. Every file you save to your Desktop gets uploaded to iCloud — including large dev projects, downloads, and temporary files. This is the #1 reason developers run out of iCloud storage.
How to check if Desktop sync is on
Open Finder and look at the sidebar. If you see "iCloud" with Desktop and Documents underneath it, sync is enabled. Or check System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive > "Desktop & Documents Folders".
How to turn it off
- Open System Settings
- Click Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive
- Uncheck "Desktop & Documents Folders"
- macOS will ask if you want to keep a copy locally — choose yes
What happens to existing files?
When you turn off sync, files that were only in iCloud will be moved to an "iCloud Drive (Archive)" folder in your home directory. Files that were already downloaded locally stay on your Desktop. Nothing is deleted.
How much space this saves
Desktop sync is often the biggest offender. Developers with projects on their Desktop typically free 5-20 GB of iCloud storage just by turning off this one setting.
Skip the manual work
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