iCloud Drive taking up space on your Mac? How to manage and free up storage

Why is iCloud Drive taking up space on Mac? If you’re fed up with seeing your storage fill up, this article breaks everything down. From how iCloud works, to why it takes up so much space, and of course, how to recover storage like a pro. Let’s get started.

How iCloud Drive works (why it takes local space)

iCloud Drive mirrors files between devices. When you add a file to iCloud Drive, your Mac usually keeps a local copy for offline access. That is by design, so your files open even on a plane. It also explains the storage surprise.

Two separate limits exist. Your iCloud storage plan and your Mac’s local storage. Filling one does not automatically empty the other. So the common “I uploaded to iCloud, why isn’t my disk free?” confusion comes from expecting a move when macOS actually did a sync.

Treat iCloud like a two-way street. Decide which folders should live locally and which should be cloud only. Then use the right controls to remove local copies safely.

Tip for visibility

I like using the Cloud Cleanup tool from CleanMyMac to analyze which files are syncing to iCloud and duplicating on your Mac. For me, the visual breakdown helps

Identify culprits; here’s how:

1. Open CleanMyMac — get your free trial here (test it for 7 days).

2. Click Cloud Cleanup > Scan and review files. Note: You’ll need to connect your iCloud Drive before the first scan.

Why is iCloud Drive taking up space on my Mac?

OK, so let’s start this off by breaking down the root causes of why iCloud Drive is taking up space on a Mac.

Reason #1: Sync = two copies

Until you act, files exist both in iCloud and on your Mac. That is normal.

Reason #2: Versioning

iCloud can keep versions for recovery. That counts toward your iCloud quota. Locally, the current file still sits on disk unless offloaded.

Reason #3: Optimize Mac Storage is conservative

Turning it on does not purge everything. macOS removes local copies only when space is needed, and it prefers keeping recently used items local.

Reason #4: Desktop & Documents syncing

If this option is on, huge work folders, ZIPs, and exports in those locations sync and stay local unless you remove downloads.

Reason #5: Downloads syncing

If you place Downloads inside iCloud Drive, every download also occupies local space.

Diagnose what is syncing

1. System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Drive.

2. Review toggles for Desktop & Documents and any app folders listed there.

CleanMyMac cross-check

The MyClutter feature from CleanMyMac, to see the biggest space hogs across your user folders (including items that sit inside Desktop/Documents, which may be syncing to iCloud.

How to free up space

1. Manual file control (Safest, most precise)

This is my default because I choose exactly what stays local.

1. Open Finder > iCloud Drive.

2. Right-click a file or folder and pick Remove Download to delete the local copy while keeping it in iCloud. The icon gains a cloud badge.

3. If you truly do not need the item anywhere, choose Delete to remove it from iCloud and from all devices.

Important difference:

Remove Download frees your Mac’s space but keeps the file in iCloud.

Delete removes it everywhere.

I do this first on large media folders, archives, and old project exports.

To detect them, I run the My Clutter scan in CleanMyMac. It quickly finds large and old files as well as duplicates and similar images.

2. Disable syncing where it hurts

If certain folders do not need to mirror, turn them off.

1. System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Drive.

2. Disable Desktop & Documents if those are heavy and you prefer them local only.

3. If you moved Downloads into iCloud Drive, move it back to your home folder so new downloads are local but not mirrored.

Files remain in iCloud when you disable a toggle, but they stop copying down to the Mac. You can still access them via iCloud.com or re-enable them later.

3. Use Optimize Mac Storage correctly

1. System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud> Drive > enable Optimize Mac Storage.

2. This tells macOS to remove local copies when low on space, keeping recent files available offline.

Reality check. This is gentle. If you just opened a giant video last night, Optimize will keep that file local. If you want aggressive cleanup, combine Optimize with Remove Download on big, inactive folders.

4. Clean up iCloud itself

Sometimes the problem is your iCloud plan, not the Mac.

1. System Settings > Apple Account > Manage next to Storage.

2. Review large categories like iCloud Drive, Photos, Mail, and Backups.

3. Delete old device backups, stale Mail attachments, and archived folders you no longer need.

CleanMyMac angle

Use Cloud Cleanup to identify and remove duplicate files, old versions, and orphaned data from iCloud Drive.

Strategic file management (Prevention)

When iCloud Drive is taking up space on a Mac, prevention really is key.

What I always sync

• Active documents I edit across devices.

• Shared project folders where real-time access matters.

• Photos if I rely on iCloud Photos across my iPhone and Mac.

What I avoid syncing

• Video editing libraries and render caches.

• Massive archives and installers.

• Local backups, virtual machines, and derived build folders.

• Overflowing Desktop or Downloads.

Best practice is to be selective. Keep Desktop & Documents off if you use them as parking lots. Store active project content in a specific iCloud Drive folder instead, then archive or remove the Download when done.

Make a quarterly review a habit. Open Finder, sort iCloud Drive by size, and clean or remove downloads on finished projects.

Do you need offline access for every file?

Most people don’t. Keep only active projects available offline and make everything else cloud only: in Finder, choose Remove Download for dormant folders so they stay in iCloud and free local space. When you need a file, open it once to re-download; otherwise, access it on iCloud.com without storing a local copy.

Hopefully, now you’ve got all your answers to the question, why is iCloud Drive taking up space on Mac.