Cloud accounts · Cloud files and your Mac's space
Why does my cloud folder still use space after I made files online-only?
Short answer: Opened files download again, files still uploading can't be freed, offline folders keep their copies, and macOS may hold freed space briefly. Storage Studio's Free Up Space settings show each provider's real local size.
Usually because some files came back, never left, or the freed space hasn't shown yet:
- Files you open download again. Opening an online-only file brings a copy back; so can apps that scan folders, such as photo or search tools.
- Files still uploading stay local. A provider won't free a file it hasn't finished saving to the cloud.
- Folders set to stay offline keep their copies on purpose.
- macOS may hold freed space for a while in automatic local backups, so free space rises later rather than at once.
To see where things stand, open Preferences → Rules → Free Up Space includes in Storage Studio: it lists each cloud provider on your Mac with how much its local copies take, and the refresh button measures again. For space macOS is still holding, see held space.