Keep full copies of your iCloud Drive files on your Mac

Why it happens

With Optimize Mac Storage on, your Mac swaps older iCloud Drive files for small placeholders when space runs low. The file stays safe in iCloud, shows a cloud icon, and downloads again when you open it. That saves space, but it's a nuisance when you work offline.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click your name at the top of the sidebar.

2. Click iCloud, then Drive, and turn off Optimize Mac Storage.

   Apple Account›iCloud›Drive›Optimize Mac Storage

3. Your Mac starts downloading files that were only in iCloud. Stay on Wi-Fi; with a lot of files this takes a while.

4. Check you have enough free space for everything in iCloud Drive. Without room, your Mac can't keep full copies of it all.

Still not fixed?

1. Need only a few things offline? Leave the setting on, Control-click a file or folder in iCloud Drive and choose Keep Downloaded.

   Finder›iCloud Drive›Keep Downloaded

2. Skip the Store in iCloud recommendation in General > Storage if you want full copies. It turns optimising back on.

   General›Storage

3. Photos has its own setting. In Photos, choose Settings…, click iCloud and choose Download Originals to this Mac.

   Photos›Settings…›iCloud›Download Originals to this Mac

4. If files keep turning into cloud icons with the setting off, or won't download at all, check your internet connection and restart your Mac. If it carries on, contact Apple Support.