User profile for user: Arjen Hiemstra
Arjen Hiemstra Author
User level: Level 1
33 points

Confusion about missing iCloud icons.

I have iCloud enabled on my Mac. I have documents and desktop sync-ed as well.


When I go to the iCloud Drive in Finder, I would expect all folders and files to have some kind of icon, indicating if the file is locally available or not.


Instead, almost all folders inside iCloud Drive have no icon at all.


Also, my Documents folder has a cloud with an arrow out. This means it is only available in the iCloud. But when I traverse the folders inside Documents that have that folder, there is only 1 in a string of subfolders and all of its files have no icon.


The Numbers folder is the only folder with a full cloud icon. I would expect all folders to have such an icon?


A folder called Downloads has a waiting to upload icon. But all of the files inside have no icon at all?


I'm confused and not sure if my data is safe?


With kind regards,


Arjen Hiemstra

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Aug 23, 2023 02:21 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Arjen Hiemstra
Arjen Hiemstra Author
User level: Level 1
33 points

Posted on Aug 29, 2023 05:05 AM

I'm using Ventura 13.4.1 (c) (22F770820d).


I have my Documents folder in the iCloud. I cannot go into the iCloud website and check all files if they are in the iCloud or not. I must rely on the icons on my MacBook.


And I find it confusing what these icons tell me.


Would you have an answer to these questions?


  1. Should *ALL* files have an icon (like with Dropbox and OwnCloud)?
  2. Also, my Documents folder has an icon "cloud with an arrow downwards". According to the documentation means it is only available in the iCloud and can be downloaded by clicking that icon. So the fact that my Documents folder has this icon must mean it should contain some file that is not on my local computer yet. But when I traverse the folder structure for all folders with that icon, there is only 1 folder in a string of subfolders with that "only in iCloud" icon. And at the end of this string of subfolders, all of the files inside that folder have no icon at all. Why do the folders in the entire path to that folder have this "only in iCloud" icon if all files of those folders are in iCloud?
  3. The Numbers folder is the only folder with a full cloud icon (no arrow - not dashed). Why is this the only folder? What does that mean? Should all folders have such an icon?
  4. A folder I created called "_Exchange" has a waiting to upload icon (dashed cloud icon). But all of the files inside have no icon at all?


The icons do not clear the situation for me, but confuse me.


I want to make sure I have all files on my MacBook as well as in the iCloud.


--

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / with kind regards,


Arjen Hiemstra

Univention Professional Services - Project Manager

View in context

Similar questions

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Arjen Hiemstra
Arjen Hiemstra Author
User level: Level 1
33 points

Aug 29, 2023 05:05 AM in response to destiny241

I'm using Ventura 13.4.1 (c) (22F770820d).


I have my Documents folder in the iCloud. I cannot go into the iCloud website and check all files if they are in the iCloud or not. I must rely on the icons on my MacBook.


And I find it confusing what these icons tell me.


Would you have an answer to these questions?


  1. Should *ALL* files have an icon (like with Dropbox and OwnCloud)?
  2. Also, my Documents folder has an icon "cloud with an arrow downwards". According to the documentation means it is only available in the iCloud and can be downloaded by clicking that icon. So the fact that my Documents folder has this icon must mean it should contain some file that is not on my local computer yet. But when I traverse the folder structure for all folders with that icon, there is only 1 folder in a string of subfolders with that "only in iCloud" icon. And at the end of this string of subfolders, all of the files inside that folder have no icon at all. Why do the folders in the entire path to that folder have this "only in iCloud" icon if all files of those folders are in iCloud?
  3. The Numbers folder is the only folder with a full cloud icon (no arrow - not dashed). Why is this the only folder? What does that mean? Should all folders have such an icon?
  4. A folder I created called "_Exchange" has a waiting to upload icon (dashed cloud icon). But all of the files inside have no icon at all?


The icons do not clear the situation for me, but confuse me.


I want to make sure I have all files on my MacBook as well as in the iCloud.


--

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / with kind regards,


Arjen Hiemstra

Univention Professional Services - Project Manager

Reply
User profile for user: Arjen Hiemstra
Arjen Hiemstra Author
User level: Level 1
33 points

Sep 5, 2023 01:43 PM in response to Miche11e_P

I would love a community specialist to actually answer my questions below.


This question is about iCloud providing inconsistent iCloud icons on objects in Finder. For example: A folder has the icon "only in iCloud" and all of the folders and files inside that folder it have no icon at all.


Below I outline some of these inconsistencies that I encountered and the question is: How to fix that?


I have had some success moving the folder out of iCloud onto my local computer and moving it back to iCloud. But I have to be VERY careful, because when I start the copy back to iCloud directly after removing the folder structure from iCloud, I end up with hundreds of duplicates as the copying back to iCloud apparently happens before the files have been cleaned up in iCloud. But for me that is not visible. In my Finder, the files are gone from iCloud.


Here are the inconsistencies that I encountered:


  1. Also, my Documents folder has an icon "cloud with an arrow downwards". According to the documentation means it is only available in the iCloud and can be downloaded by clicking that icon. So the fact that my Documents folder has this icon must mean it should contain some file that is not on my local computer yet. But when I traverse the folder structure for all folders with that icon, there is only 1 folder in a string of subfolders with that "only in iCloud" icon. And at the end of this string of subfolders, all of the files inside that folder have no icon at all. Why do the folders in the entire path to that folder have this "only in iCloud" icon if all files of those folders are in iCloud?
  2. The Numbers folder is the only folder with a full cloud icon (no arrow - not dashed). Why is this the only folder? What does that mean? Should all folders have such an icon?
  3. A folder I created called "_Exchange" has a waiting to upload icon (dashed cloud icon). But all of the files inside have no icon at all?


With kind regards,


Arjen Hiemstra

Reply
User profile for user: Arjen Hiemstra
Arjen Hiemstra Author
User level: Level 1
33 points

Aug 27, 2023 08:54 AM in response to mingoslkd

That is all what I have done already. But the icons on the files of iCloud in Finder are inconsistent.


Should *ALL* files have an icon (like Dropbox and OwnCloud)?


Also, my Documents folder has an icon "cloud with an arrow out". According to the documentation means it is only available in the iCloud. So it must contain some file that is not on my local computer yet. But when I traverse the folder structure inside the folder that has that icon, there is only 1 folder in a string of subfolders with that "only in iCloud" icon. And all of the files inside that folder have no icon at all. I don't get it?


The Numbers folder is the only folder with a full cloud icon. Should all folders have such an icon?


A folder called Downloads has a waiting to upload icon. But all of the files inside have no icon at all?


With kind regards,


Arjen Hiemstra

Reply
User profile for user: mingoslkd
mingoslkd
User level: Community Specialist

Aug 24, 2023 12:39 PM in response to Arjen Hiemstra

Hi Arjen Hiemstra,


iCloud Drive is a great feature to sync files to all of your devices.

Let's start with the basic page for setting this up and also a page about managing, and iCloud Drive for documents. Take a look, and if still unsure, please let the community know and we'll continue to help.


1. Set up iCloud Drive - Apple Support

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

3. Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support


Let us know if you still have questions. Thanks!

Reply
User profile for user: destiny241
destiny241
User level: Community Specialist

Aug 27, 2023 09:25 AM in response to Arjen Hiemstra

Hello Arjen Hiemstra,


You can always validate what files are being synced with iCloud by signing in to the iCloud website online: iCloud Your Desktop & Documents should show up under iCloud Drive on this website after signing in.


Files syncing with iCloud will be on the iCloud server and not your computer, unless you've downloaded it locally.


Keep in mind: "*Avoid storing app folders, libraries, .tmp, .vmdk, .vmware, .vbox, .vm, and .pvm files in iCloud Drive." from: Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive


Also, if you're using a VPN or security software on the Mac, these can cause connectivity issues. You can test disabling the software, but you may need to remove it to resolve any syncing issues with iCloud: Check VPN (Virtual Private Network) and third-party software to help resolve network connectivity issues


If these steps don't resolve the issue, please let us know which macOS version you're using, so we're on the same page.


Let us know if that helps out.


Take care.

Reply
User profile for user: Miche11e_P
Miche11e_P
User level: Community Specialist

Aug 29, 2023 07:22 AM in response to Arjen Hiemstra

Hi Arjen,


If you've already enabled  Desktop and Documents for iCloud Drive, all of your files have been moved to iCloud and any new files created will automatically be uploaded to iCloud as well. Since Dropbox and OwnCloud aren't products developed by Apple, we are unable to compare them here.


Here's a link to the iCloud User Guide which covers the features of iCloud: iCloud User Guide - Apple Support


If you've set up Pages for iCloud, all of your Pages documents will be stored in iCloud: Collaborate on Pages documents and keep them up to date with iCloud - Apple Support

"Access the same documents on all your devices

When you set up iCloud for Pages, your Pages documents are stored in the cloud instead of locally on your device. You can see them on any device that’s set up for iCloud and Pages, including your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can also access your documents in a web browser.

Because your documents are in the cloud, changes you make on one device—like adding text, deleting a table of contents, or updating a title—automatically appear on all your devices. You see the most up-to-date version of your documents, no matter where you access them.

Note: All Pages documents stored in iCloud count toward your iCloud storage. This includes any documents you create as well as documents that are shared with you."


If you need additional assistance, feel free to contact Apple directly. You can reach them here: Contact Apple Support 


Take care!



Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Confusion about missing iCloud icons.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up