---
id: icloud.can-i-stop-storage-studio-touching-icloud
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/can-i-stop-storage-studio-touching-icloud
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "Storage Studio and iCloud"
question: "Can I stop Storage Studio from doing anything with my iCloud files?"
alt_questions:
  - "Exclude iCloud from Storage Studio"
  - "Turn off iCloud features storage studio"
  - "Don't evict my iCloud files"
  - "Disable iCloud duplicate scan"
  - "Keep Storage Studio away from iCloud Drive"
short_answer: "Yes. Rules never move iCloud files; the Free Up Space cloud step is off by default per provider; you can turn off Duplicates Auto-scan for iCloud Drive; and folders marked Keep Downloaded in Finder stay local."
tags: ["settings", "icloud drive", "privacy"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-include-icloud-in-free-up-space", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-keep-an-icloud-folder-always-downloaded"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I stop Storage Studio from doing anything with my iCloud files?

Yes, mostly by leaving the iCloud options off. Storage Studio's rules never move files in iCloud Drive in the first place, and the rest is under your control:

- **Free Up Space** — the cloud step in **Preferences → Rules → Free Up Space includes** is off by default for every provider; leave iCloud Drive off.
- **Duplicates** — turn off **Auto-scan** for the **iCloud Drive** source if you don't want it checked in the background.
- **Run Tuhi** — its cloud step frees large downloaded files when cloud folders are present, so mark folders you always need local as **Keep Downloaded** in Finder.

Storage Studio still measures iCloud folders in Storage Profile so its space figures are accurate, but measuring never changes a file.