How can I stop iCloud from automatically storing my documents?

Question

How can I stop iCloud from automatically storing my documents?

I don't want my documents automatically stored in iCloud. It uses up too much storage and I don't want to pay for more. However it seems like now, after the last OS update turning that off brings up a warning screen with one of those yellow triangles with the exclamation point in it pops up saying that if you do it everything will be deleted from your computer. Other places in this "community chat" I see people saying just do it and it will recreate a new folder on your computer which is opposite of that warning screen and why do we have to do this anyway? I had everything on my compeer where I wanted it to begin with. I don't want anything on iCloud at all. I don't want to pay for more space or expose my stuff to the internet like that.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 27″, macOS 15.4

Posted on May 7, 2025 6:31 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Richard.Taylor

Level 6

17,047 points

May 9, 2025 8:13 AM in response to johnsiphone4610

johnsiphone4610 wrote: … It''s taking my documents folder, desktop, and few other things and loading them into iCloud Drive there and it never did this before the last update to the OS.

This is a choice you made, at System Setting>AppleID>iCoud>Drive:

As you can see, I have made that choice, too. I'm constantly asking myself if I like it, and my head-jury is still out. So far, it seems OK. But I sympathize with your just wanting our own folders copied to iCloud.com and synced with your other devices..

If you turn off D&D, then new, empty Desktop and Documents folders will appear in your user's folder. You can drag the stuff from the iCloud versions to your local folders. Then the iCloud versions will be empty.

It's always good to have backups on an external drive.

For context, see this:

Understanding iCloud Drive - Apple Community

For Katana-San:

I haven't done this, myself, but I have it on good authority, and I've done similar things.

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Answer 2

May 7, 2025 7:03 AM in response to I-Am-Smart

I-Am-Smart wrote:

On a Mac, open the System Preferences and click on Apple ID. Go to Overview to Sign Out, or go to iCloud to disable stuff from syncing.

Signing out of the Apple ID is not a good answer to this question.

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Answer 3

May 7, 2025 7:09 AM in response to johnsiphone4610

On a Mac, open the System Preferences and click on Apple ID. Go to iCloud to disable stuff from syncing.

good luck

make sure everything is saved on your devices internal storage. You will have 30 days to recover what you deleted from iCloud.

-edited-

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Answer 4

May 7, 2025 6:51 AM in response to johnsiphone4610

Remove the items from iCloud first:

Work with folders and files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support (IN)

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Answer 5

May 9, 2025 5:56 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I meant iCloud Drive. Since the last update to the OS iCloud Drive is automatically uploading my desktop, documents and other folders into itself and I don't want that. It's using up space in iCloud I prefer to reserve for other things I choose lie my hots and nites. iCloud is another matter. I'm talking about iCloud Drive. If I want to make folders there and store things I know how and don't want choices being made for me by the OS. I've owned Apple computers since my black and white Apple II computer. Making folders and storing them wherever is easy. I don't need instruction on that point. I don't mind my photos being on iCloud or my notes so they are available between devices but this new things is not what I want and I did not choose it. I don't want the OS deciding for me to upload things and using up my sauce out there without my permission. I prefer dong everything manually.

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Answer 6

May 9, 2025 6:09 AM in response to I-Am-Smart

I don't mind having any photos and notes, as they were before, synched in iCloud itself. What I'm talking about is iCloud Drive, which is a whole other animal. I prefer to use that only now and then by creating folders myself and just putting things in them annually. I do not want the OS making decisions for me and using up space I pay for with things I don't want there. It''s taking my documents folder, desktop, and few other things and loading them into iCloud Drive there and it never did this before the last update to the OS. When you try and shut it off a warning popup comes up and says you can shut off that synch but it will wipe out the folders not just in iCloud Drive but your desktop as well. so, really, you're not being given a choice. Apple is just taking your stuff and using up your paid space for things you didn't ask to have there. I almost ever use iCloud Drive. Having my pictures and notes stored and synched to iCloud is all I want. I sent want my OS making decisions for me. If /I want something in iCloud /drive I'll put it there myself manually and elimate out when I choose to as well.

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Answer 7

Katana-San

Level 10

80,989 points

May 9, 2025 9:34 AM in response to johnsiphone4610

Hello~ You are not the user that I was addressing as *Richard.Taylor* correctly points out. Thx RT. Please accept my apologies if you felt that it was directed towards you. There are times when incorrect and untested information is unfortunately posted here in our forums and I am simply trying to safeguard the technical integrity of your thread. Take care and be well.

~Katana-San~

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