---
id: icloud.how-can-i-tell-an-icloud-file-has-finished-uploading
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-can-i-tell-an-icloud-file-has-finished-uploading
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "Online-only files and Optimize Mac Storage"
question: "How can I tell an iCloud Drive file has finished uploading?"
alt_questions:
  - "iCloud upload status Finder"
  - "Is my file uploaded to iCloud yet?"
  - "Check iCloud sync status of file"
  - "finder icloud status column"
short_answer: "In Finder, uploading files show a progress or cloud-with-arrow icon and iCloud Drive's sidebar entry shows a progress circle; when they disappear, the upload is done. You can also add an iCloud Status column in List view."
tags: ["icloud drive", "upload", "finder"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-do-the-cloud-icons-in-finder-mean", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/icloud-drive-stuck-waiting-to-upload", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/which-icloud-files-are-skipped-when-making-them-online-only"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How can I tell an iCloud Drive file has finished uploading?

In Finder, files still uploading show a small progress or cloud-with-arrow icon beside their names, and iCloud Drive in the sidebar shows a progress circle while it works. When those disappear, the file is in iCloud. In List view you can also add the **iCloud Status** column (View → Show View Options).

Wait for uploads to finish before making files online-only or erasing a Mac. Storage Studio does this for you — it skips files iCloud hasn't safely stored yet. See [what the cloud icons mean](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-do-the-cloud-icons-in-finder-mean).