Cloud accounts · Using your accounts
Does connecting a cloud account free up space on my Mac?
Short answer: Not on its own. Adding an account downloads and moves nothing. Space is freed when you move files from your Mac to that account, for example with Data Transfers. Cloud files in Finder stay online-only until opened.
Not by itself. Connecting an account doesn't download anything or move anything — it just makes the account available. Space is freed when you move files from your Mac to the account (in Data Transfers or Data Parking).
Connecting also doesn't fill your Mac: in Storage Studio's Finder location, cloud files show as online-only until you open them. To actually reclaim space, move large folders you rarely use to the account — see Data Transfers — or to an external drive.