A file shows a cloud icon in Finder and won't open

Why it happens

iCloud Drive can keep files online and only bring them to your Mac when you need them, to save space. Those files show a small cloud icon. Opening one normally downloads it first, but if you're offline or the download stalls, the file just won't open.

How to fix it

1. Open Finder and find the file, for example in iCloud Drive, Desktop or Documents.

2. Control-click the file (or click with two fingers on the trackpad) and choose Download Now. A small progress circle shows while it downloads.

   Finder›iCloud Drive›Download Now

3. When the cloud icon disappears, double-click the file to open it.

4. To stop iCloud moving this file off your Mac again, Control-click it and choose Keep Downloaded. This works on whole folders too. Later, Remove Download frees the space and leaves the file safe in iCloud.

Still not fixed?

1. Want every iCloud Drive file kept on this Mac? Turn off Optimize Mac Storage in iCloud Drive settings. Your Mac then downloads full copies, as long as it has room.

   Apple Account›iCloud›Drive›Optimize Mac Storage

2. Download doesn't start or says the file couldn't be downloaded? Check that you're online, then check free space in Storage settings. A nearly full Mac can't bring files down.

   General›Storage

3. Make sure you're signed in to the same Apple Account the file was saved with, then restart your Mac and try again. A restart often gets a stuck download moving.

4. If one file never downloads but others do, sign in at iCloud.com and download it from iCloud Drive there. If nothing downloads at all, contact Apple Support.