Keeping an iCloud Drive file on your Mac whilst using Optimise Mac Storage

With new Macs, especially entry-level models (that tend to come with smaller internal storage options, compared to older models or higher-end configurations), users are increasingly needing to utilise the ‘Optimise Mac Storage’ function.

With Optimise Mac Storage turned on, if required your Mac will automatically remove files in reverse order of how often you use them, to avoid your startup volume from becoming too full. It leaves a ‘placeholder file’ in Finder, so that when you click on a file, iCloud Drive automatically retrieves and opens it for you.

In operating systems before Sequoia, if a file wasn’t downloaded locally you could right-click (control + click) on it and select ‘Download Now’.

From Sequoia onwards however, you can right/control-click and select ‘Keep Downloaded’, to effectively pin the file and ensure it won’t be returned to online storage only, even if space runs low.

This is useful if you are planning on working in an area without internet access (e.g. whilst travelling), without having to turn off ‘Optimise Mac Storage’.

Instructions: in OS Sequoia onwards...

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• Open a Finder window and identify the file you want to keep downloaded to your Mac.
  
• Right click (control + click) on the file name.
• Scroll down and click on ‘Keep Downloaded’.