Sequoia Keeps Removing Cloud Backups Locally

[NewToMacs]

Hi Yall

So I've got a 2022 Macbook Air running Sequoia 15.3.1. I'm using Proton Drive for my backup. For a while my mac was removing cloud backups locally, which was VERY annoying--if I download a word file I want to work on offline, I don't want it disappearing every time I close the window, and I want my music to stay on my mac and not require an internet connection to play my favorite songs.

In the past I had read about an "optimize mac storage" option which could be turned off. However I cannot find it--the internet searches I have done all indicate it should be in the iCloud menu of System Settings (or sometimes "System Preferences" which I assume is the same?). In the past I had found this setting and been able to keep my mac from deleting the files on my hard drive. Now, however, I cannot find it, and my mac has resumed deleting local copies of anything saved to the cloud.

I've also tried to fix this by manually clicking on the little cloud download icon in Finder for the folders I want. Sometimes I have clicked on the subfolders as well, though I'm not sure that's actually necessary. In any case clicking on this icon does result in my downloading the files... it's just that they've been deleted again the next time I look.

FWIW I've also clicked through as much of the iCloud menu as I could. I tried "manage storage" but saw no option to turn off this "optimization" there.

Is there a setting that I'm missing or some way to fix this? This is really kind of maddening, I've probably downloaded my music five different times now.

 

[MacsBug]

Hi there,

if you only have the 1 Mac there is really no reason to have your files stored in the cloud vs keeping them on your computer.

I would recommend turning off Desktop and Documents in the iCloud Drive Settings. This is the same place where the Optimize Storage setting is.

Open System Settings
On top left Click on your name
On the right side click on iCloud.
Click on the Drive button
You will see the settings for iCloud Drive

 

[NewToMacs]

Thanks MacsBug.

So that is where the Optimize Storage setting is! Although for better or worse, it was already turned off. I have, though, turned off iCloud as you recommended.

I do want to keep using proton drive to back up documents though. I am concerned that if something happens to this mac--maybe my home burns down, maybe I spill soda on it, whatever--I want to be able to access the files again. And I don't want the chore of backing up the files every week to local storage, which still wouldn't help me in case of a fire... But I want to use Proton for that, so iCloud can be turned off entirely.

I'll see if turning off iCloud fixes the issue and report back. Thanks for your help!