Preserving files in iCloud without dependence on iCloud Drive

woody3300 wrote:

If i use iCloud drive on my mac to upload files to iCloud, they will only remain in iCloud if i keep those files in iCloud drive, therefore unable to free up space on macbook

You can right-click iCloud Drive items and choose "Remove Download" so they are just tiny placeholders on that Mac while the whole file is still in iCloud. If you open that file on that Mac, the whole file is downloaded to that Mac and you must "Remove Download" again, if you so wish.

Or disable iCloud Drive on that Mac and use only the iCloud web interface to access iCloud Drive and other iCloud items.

https://www.icloud.com/

p.s. remember that iCloud is not a backup but a sync service so if you accidentally delete a file, that accident is synced to other devices as well (AFAIR there is a 30 days period to recover deleted items, though).

woody3300 wrote: … there is no way you can store your files as an independent place not associated with syncing or your other devices?

That is correct. iCloud Drive is not a separate storage device like an extra hard drive. iCloud Drive is a synchronization service. You can see this:

Understanding iCloud Drive - Apple Community

have i got that right?

Of course you have the right!. You have the right to use a hammer as a screwdriver, but that doesn't mean it will work. This is not about rights.

maybe its external hard drives for me then

Those of us who care about our data use external drives for backups, although we may also use cloud based storage as well. You can Google "cloud based storage." NOT "iCloud based!"

woody3300 wrote:

And if i Trash that 'remove download' placeholder will it still be available on iCloud?

No. That would trash the file. iCloud is not a backup service or pure offline storage. It is a synchronization service designed to keep your Apple gear in sync.

Great! Good Luck!