To free local disk while keeping your files in the cloud, right-click any iCloud Drive file or folder in Finder and choose Remove Download. The file stays in iCloud and shows a small cloud icon; double-clicking it re-downloads it on demand. To do this automatically across your Mac, turn on Optimize Mac Storage.

TL;DR

  • Right-click a file/folder in Finder > Remove Download to offload it while keeping it in iCloud.
  • Enable System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Drive > Optimize Mac Storage to let macOS offload automatically.
  • Offloaded files show a cloud-with-down-arrow icon and re-download when opened.
  • The process is fully reversible: choose Download Now to bring a file back local.
  • Nothing is deleted from iCloud; you are only removing the local copy.

How do I remove a single iCloud Drive file's local copy?

Open Finder, go to iCloud Drive in the sidebar, and right-click (or Control-click) the file or folder. Choose Remove Download. Finder immediately frees the space and replaces the local file with a stub marked by a cloud icon containing a down arrow. The file's name, location, and metadata stay visible, so nothing appears to be missing.

To bring it back, right-click and choose Download Now, or simply double-click to open it, which downloads it automatically.

How do I turn on Optimize Mac Storage?

Go to System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Drive (on older macOS this is System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Options). Turn on Optimize Mac Storage.

With this enabled, when your disk gets low macOS automatically offloads the oldest, least-used iCloud Drive files (and Desktop and Documents folders, if those are synced to iCloud) to the cloud, keeping their stubs locally. You do not choose which files go; the system picks based on space pressure and recency.

Where does macOS show me what to offload?

Go to System Settings > General > Storage. macOS shows a usage bar and a list of recommendations. Under iCloud Drive (or the Recommendations section) you can review what is stored where. This same panel is where you find Empty Trash Automatically and other built-in space tools.

The Storage panel is informative, but the per-file Remove Download control in Finder gives you direct, surgical control that the Storage panel does not.

What the OS does natively, and where it stops

Natively, macOS gives you two clean levers: per-item Remove Download in Finder, and account-wide Optimize Mac Storage. Both keep your data safe in iCloud and re-download transparently. For most people this is enough to reclaim several gigabytes from Desktop and Documents.

Where it stops: macOS will not tell you which offloaded folders would free the most space before you act, and it will not offload data that is not in iCloud Drive. Local-only folders, app caches, and large media outside iCloud are untouched by this feature.

What this cannot do / leave alone

Removing a download does not delete the file from iCloud, but if you turn off iCloud Drive entirely or are signed out, those stubs cannot re-download, so stay signed in. Do not use Remove Download as a backup strategy; it is offloading, not duplication. Leave the ~/Library folder and app support data alone here, since those are not iCloud Drive content and offloading does not apply to them. Finally, an offloaded file needs an internet connection to open, so download anything you will need offline before traveling.

FAQ

Does Remove Download delete my file from iCloud?

No. It only removes the local copy from your Mac's disk. The file stays intact in iCloud Drive and re-downloads whenever you open it or choose Download Now.

Is offloading reversible?

Yes, completely. Right-click the file and choose Download Now, or double-click to open it. As long as you stay signed into iCloud with an internet connection, the original file comes back unchanged.

Why is my Mac still full after enabling Optimize Mac Storage?

Optimize Mac Storage only affects files synced to iCloud Drive (including Desktop and Documents if those sync). Local apps, caches, Photos library originals, and media outside iCloud are not offloaded, so check System Settings > General > Storage for those categories.

If your iPhone is the device running low, Cleanor for iPhone clears the photos and clutter filling its storage.