How to prevent files in my iCloud drive from being automatically sync to my iPhone?

How do i prevent files in my iCloud drive from being automatically sync to my iPhone? I remember ios 15 allow me to optimize storage from drive, but the option is ni longer available. I can now only optimize photo storage. sad

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Mar 13, 2023 1:24 AM

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6 replies

Mar 14, 2023 6:25 PM in response to barberlives123

Unfortunately it will. If you upload new files from other devices, say Mac or iPad, and turn on 'sync this iPhone', the newly added files will automatically be downloaded to iPhone.


Problem is, if the files are small files like docs or pics, that's fine but, for videos of large as x Gigabytes, this will be a disaster.


The good design of iCloud should be, providing a toggle of each folder/file in iCloud, which user can decide to always sync to local, or always to access online. NOT TO DECIDE FOR USERS!

Mar 14, 2023 3:57 PM in response to ronaniii

Hi ronaniii,


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. We understand you have some questions about iCloud, and we're happy to help. You can manage your iCloud settings and what you store in iCloud here:


1. Go to Settings > your name. 
2. Tap iCloud.
3. Tap to choose which apps you want to use iCloud.
4. Choose which apps to use with iCloud on your iPhone

See more about those steps here: Change your iCloud settings


Thanks.


Mar 14, 2023 4:31 PM in response to ronaniii

Hey there ronaniii,


The files in iCloud Drive syncs your files across your devices but they shouldn’t be automatically downloaded to your devices. When you go into Files on your iPhone and look at the different files, some may have a cloud symbol in the top right corner. These mean the file isn’t downloaded to your device. This article has more details:


Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive


Take care.

Mar 14, 2023 4:17 PM in response to Stevi_S

nah you didn't understand my question. I was talking about iCloud drive files, not the apps using iCloud.


i have a 2T storage iCloud drive and 256G iphone. the dumb design of iCloud drive is, if i upload files to iCloud, it will automatically sync to all devices, eating up all my iphone storage.


So i guess the iCloud product designer must be assuming ppl buy 2T storage iCloud would also buy 2T iphone. what a wise guy.🫣

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How to prevent files in my iCloud drive from being automatically sync to my iPhone?

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