iCloud use on Mac

[circatee]

I am new to the Mac OS, with a Mac Mini. With that, I have decided to use iCloud, too. Even more so, since I have it setup and configured on my iPhone and iPad.

My question is, from a Mac OS perspective, any issue I should be aware of, or understand?
I configured iCloud today on my Mac Mini and the only option I have not selected yet is, "Desktop & Documents Folders". A little unsure about this one.

Thoughts...

PS: Not 100% sure if this is the correct area to post this. Thus, MODs, feel free to move it if needed.

 

[casperes1996]

If you have enough free iCloud storage for it, I'd just enable everything. Desktop and Documents in iCloud is especially nice if you move between different Macs a lot, like a desktop and a laptop. But it can eat at your iCloud storage if you keep a lot of things on the desktop or in the document folder

 

[0128672]

My preference is avoid using Desktop & Documents Folders. In the past when I’ve had it enabled, because your documents are no longer stored on your Mac, I made some mistakes and deleted important stuff. I find it easier to upload only documents I absolutely need to share with other devices (or other people), and keep the rest on my Mac.

For a good explanation about how Desktop & Document Folders work, take a look at this:

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

Learn how to share your files from your Mac Desktop and Documents folders to all of your devices with iCloud Drive.

support.apple.com

 

[0128672]

And the other thing is if D&D is enabled, I don’t believe those documents are included in Time Machine backups. But I could be wrong about whether local copies get backed up.

 

[circatee]

And the other thing is if D&D is enabled, I don’t believe those documents are included in Time Machine backups. But I could be wrong about whether local copies get backed up.

Hmm, now this is interesting...

 

[Feek]

And the other thing is if D&D is enabled, I don’t believe those documents are included in Time Machine backups. But I could be wrong about whether local copies get backed up.

I've just deleted a file in my documents folder, gone into my time machine backup and restored it from a week ago. I am syncing documents and desktop with iCloud.

 

[circatee]

I've just deleted a file in my documents folder, gone into my time machine backup and restored it from a week ago. I am syncing documents and desktop with iCloud.

...thanks for sharing and confirming.

 

[Apple_Robert]

"What happens when you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud​

If you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud, a new Desktop and Documents folder is created in your home folder. You also have the option to keep a local copy of your files that are in iCloud Drive. If you keep a local copy of your files in iCloud Drive, they're copied to a folder called iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. You can move any files that were in your iCloud Desktop and Documents to your new local Desktop and Documents."

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

Learn how to share your files from your Mac Desktop and Documents folders to all of your devices with iCloud Drive.

support.apple.com

 

[circatee]

"What happens when you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud​

If you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud, a new Desktop and Documents folder is created in your home folder. You also have the option to keep a local copy of your files that are in iCloud Drive. If you keep a local copy of your files in iCloud Drive, they're copied to a folder called iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. You can move any files that were in your iCloud Desktop and Documents to your new local Desktop and Documents."

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

Learn how to share your files from your Mac Desktop and Documents folders to all of your devices with iCloud Drive.

support.apple.com

...this is brilliant information for the uninitiated. Thanks for sharing.

 

[HDFan]

because your documents are no longer stored on your Mac,

Only if you have selected the Optimize Mac storage option:

I don’t believe those documents are included in Time Machine backups

They are if you don't enable optimize. Don't know what happens if optimize is on.

 

[Feek]

They are if you don't enable optimize. Don't know what happens if optimize is on.

I checked and I had optimise on and it was on when I did this test.

I've just deleted a file in my documents folder, gone into my time machine backup and restored it from a week ago. I am syncing documents and desktop with iCloud.

I've just turned optimise off as I'm quite happy to have a full copy locally as well as in iCloud.

 

[TheJing]

Personally I’ve had that option enabled for as long as I can remember. I find it nice to always have all my files accessible on all my devices.

 

[Big Bad D]

And the other thing is if D&D is enabled, I don’t believe those documents are included in Time Machine backups. But I could be wrong about whether local copies get backed up.

Yes D&D are backed up, but perhaps only if you have optimise off so that local copy is kept.