Need to stop syncing iCloud Drive without losing important documents and files from the desktop

Hi guys I'm fairly new to Mac. My iCloud storage is full and it's because my desktop is backed up to the cloud. I tried unsyncing but it deletes the files from my desktop. Is there a way around it? Thanks in advance

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Aug 1, 2025 03:18 PM

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3 replies

Aug 1, 2025 03:29 PM in response to kevende98

kevende98 wrote:

My iCloud storage is full and it's because my desktop is backed up to the cloud.

Technically your Mac is not “backed up” to the cloud. Time Machine cannot save backups there.


Instead, you almost certainly mean you’re storing your Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud Drive.


See “Turn off Desktop and Documents” here.


Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support


Need to stop syncing iCloud Drive without losing important documents and files from the desktop

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