{"id":"cloud-accounts.why-does-my-cloud-folder-still-use-space","url":"/faq/cloud-accounts/why-does-my-cloud-folder-still-use-space","category":{"id":"cloud-accounts","title":"Cloud accounts"},"subcategory":{"id":"cloud-files-and-mac-space","title":"Cloud files and your Mac's space"},"question":"Why does my cloud folder still use space after I made files online-only?","alt_questions":["Google Drive still using space after online only","Dropbox still taking storage after remove download","made files online only but no space freed Mac","OneDrive free up space didn't free anything","cloud files keep downloading and using space"],"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.","answer_markdown":"Usually because some files came back, never left, or the freed space hasn't shown yet:\n\n- **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.\n- **Files still uploading stay local.** A provider won't free a file it hasn't finished saving to the cloud.\n- **Folders set to stay offline** keep their copies on purpose.\n- **macOS may hold freed space for a while** in automatic local backups, so free space rises later rather than at once.\n\nTo 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](/faq/freeing-space/what-is-held-in-automatic-backups).","answer_html":"

Usually because some files came back, never left, or the freed space hasn't shown yet:

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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.

","answer_text":"Usually because some files came back, never left, or the freed space hasn't shown yet:\n\n- 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.\n- Files still uploading stay local. A provider won't free a file it hasn't finished saving to the cloud.\n- Folders set to stay offline keep their copies on purpose.\n- macOS may hold freed space for a while in automatic local backups, so free space rises later rather than at once.\n\nTo 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.","tags":["online-only","mac space","google drive","dropbox"],"related":[{"id":"cloud-accounts.how-much-space-do-cloud-apps-use-on-my-mac","question":"How can I see how much space Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive take up on my Mac?","url":"/faq/cloud-accounts/how-much-space-do-cloud-apps-use-on-my-mac"},{"id":"cloud-accounts.why-wont-a-cloud-file-go-online-only","question":"Why won't a Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive file go online-only?","url":"/faq/cloud-accounts/why-wont-a-cloud-file-go-online-only"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Why does my cloud folder still use space after I made files online-only? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"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.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Cloud accounts","path":"/faq/cloud-accounts/"},{"name":"Why does my cloud folder still use space after I made files online-only?","path":"/faq/cloud-accounts/why-does-my-cloud-folder-still-use-space"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/why-does-my-cloud-folder-still-use-space","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Why does my cloud folder still use space after I made files online-only?","alternateName":["Google Drive still using space after online only","Dropbox still taking storage after remove download","made files online only but no space freed Mac","OneDrive free up space didn't free anything","cloud files keep downloading and using space"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Usually because some files came back, never left, or the freed space hasn't shown yet:\n\n- 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.\n- Files still uploading stay local. A provider won't free a file it hasn't finished saving to the cloud.\n- Folders set to stay offline keep their copies on purpose.\n- macOS may hold freed space for a while in automatic local backups, so free space rises later rather than at once.\n\nTo 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.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/why-does-my-cloud-folder-still-use-space"}}]},"fragment":"
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Cloud accounts · Cloud files and your Mac's space

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Why does my cloud folder still use space after I made files online-only?

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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.

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Usually because some files came back, never left, or the freed space hasn't shown yet:

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  • 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.
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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.

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Last reviewed

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