iCloud Drive
Is there a way to use iCloud Drive without Drive removing the documents from my MacBook? I want all of my documents on my computer to stay on my computer, but I want a backup on iCloud Drive. Thank you.
Question marked as
Top-ranking reply
By default iCloud Drive keeps a local copy of everything on your computer. You can access them by opening a Finder window and clicking iCloud Drive in the sidebar or by clicking iCloud Drive on the Finder "Go" menu.
If you turn on Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > Optimize Mac Storage, then some documents may not have a local copy, but if that option is off then all will have a local copy.
Also note that iCloud Drive is not a backup. Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.
It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.
Also see: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support
And more information on syncing in:
Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support
and