---
id: icloud.can-i-limit-how-much-space-icloud-uses-on-my-mac
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/can-i-limit-how-much-space-icloud-uses-on-my-mac
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "Online-only files and Optimize Mac Storage"
question: "Can I set a limit on how much of my Mac's space iCloud Drive uses?"
alt_questions:
  - "Cap iCloud Drive local storage"
  - "Limit iCloud cache size Mac"
  - "Stop iCloud filling my Mac"
  - "max local space for icloud drive"
short_answer: "No — macOS has no cap for iCloud Drive's local space; Optimize Mac Storage decides when to free files, usually when the disk gets full. Use Remove Download and Keep Downloaded per folder; Storage Studio can also help free iCloud files."
tags: ["icloud drive", "local space", "optimize mac storage"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-make-icloud-drive-files-online-only-with-storage-studio", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-much-space-is-icloud-using-on-my-mac", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/why-does-optimize-mac-storage-not-free-space-right-away"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I set a limit on how much of my Mac's space iCloud Drive uses?

Not with a number. macOS has no setting to cap iCloud Drive's local space; **Optimize Mac Storage** decides on its own when to make files online-only, usually only once the disk is getting full.

You can steer it: choose **Remove Download** on folders you don't need locally, and **Keep Downloaded** on the ones you do. Storage Studio can also help free iCloud files on your Mac — see [making iCloud files online-only](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-make-icloud-drive-files-online-only-with-storage-studio) and [how much space iCloud uses on your Mac](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-much-space-is-icloud-using-on-my-mac).