How to keep iCloud Drive files downloaded on a Mac

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS 27.0.1 (MacBook Neo)

App

Finder

Path

Finder › iCloud Drive › Keep Downloaded

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open iCloud Drive in Finder

   It is under Locations in the Finder sidebar.

   Done

2. 

   Choose Keep Downloaded

   Control-click the file or folder. Keep Downloaded is near the top of the menu.

   Done

3. 

   Open iCloud settings

   For all files: System Settings, your name, iCloud, then Drive.

   Done

4. 

   Turn off Optimize Mac Storage

   Ours was on, with Sync this Mac on and Desktop & Documents Folders off. Off keeps the full contents of iCloud Drive on the Mac, if there is space.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Keep Downloaded? It is only for items in iCloud Drive. Files on the Mac itself are already local.
• No iCloud Drive in Finder? Turn on Sync this Mac in System Settings, your name, iCloud, Drive (the page in step 4).
• Still not in the sidebar? In Finder, choose Finder, Settings, Sidebar and tick iCloud Drive.

If this does not work

• Cloud icon will not download? Check the internet connection first.
• iCloud storage full? Apple says to upgrade your storage or remove items you do not need from iCloud. Source: Manage iCloud storage on Mac
• Mac storage full? With Optimize Mac Storage off, every file needs room on the Mac. Check Storage first.

About this guide

With Optimize Mac Storage on, old files can turn into cloud icons that need the internet to open.

The screenshots are from our MacBook Neo with macOS 27.0.1, taken on 18 October 2026. We blurred names.

Good to know

Check and free up storage on a Mac.

In short: Finder, iCloud Drive, Control-click, Keep Downloaded. All files: Optimize Mac Storage off.