Can't Copy File [to iCloud] not enough free space

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Level 1

4 points

Can't Copy File [to iCloud] not enough free space

I have a large iPhotos library, over 200GB from past non-flash iMACs, got a new iMac that couldn't handle my storage requirements [WTF] so I had to store it on external hard drive. I want to copy that library to my iCloud account in case of HD failure/local issue but I can't copy the file to iCloud, get not enough free space errors. I have 2TB on iCloud with less than 200GB used, so thats not the space issue. I have 50GB local free space on iMAC drive. Please tell me its not trying to do something here with my iMAC drive, storage wise like caching the file locally, to move this file as it couldn't fit on the **** new iMAC to begin with.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Nov 13, 2022 1:59 PM

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Answer 1

NarrowBack Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 14, 2022 7:43 AM in response to Old Toad

EHD is fine and great, I have one for backups as well as one for extra storage which is housing the large iPhotos library, but they are local, of course. In case of theft or fire, my (kids' lifetime of) photos are gone, hence the desire to back them up offsite, icloud in this case. I get the syncing feature as the means for backup, but i cannot sync a iPhoto library that is not on the computer, per Apple message/error. I cannot get my library on the computer, thanks to Apple hw restrictions on space.

Since iCloud is a sync-only feature and their current devices are low on physical storage space, I guess the 2TB plan is for huge clans, government agencies or small nations...

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

214,866 points

Nov 13, 2022 3:11 PM in response to NarrowBack

Be aware that the iCloud Library is not an off computer storage facility. It's a syncing feature. Any change made to the library is reflected in the iCloud Library whether it be an addition, deletion or accidental deletion.

I believe you would be better served by keeping the library on the EHD and having that drive along with your boot drive backed up to a second EHD by Time Machine.

I have two EHDs and my internal SSD backup up with Time Machine to a 3rd EHD. It's a 6 TB rotational drive from OWC (MacSales.com). A Time Machine drive should be about 2 ½ to 3 times the size of the files on the drives you're backing up.

This way you can go back and recover accidentally deleted files from your iMac or your library if necessary.

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Answer 3

Nov 13, 2022 3:21 PM in response to Old Toad

Old Toad is totally correct. Theoretically (and in reality) iCloud is set up to hold copies of whatever you put into folders or on your desktop and if you delete them, they will go from iCloud too. It is there to provide an easy recovery of files if you corrupted the ones you have. You would need to increase the amount of space you pay for on icloud for more files to be copied there but again as OT said, that won't protect you if you erase them accidentally - you need an EHD.

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Can't Copy File [to iCloud] not enough free space

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