---
id: icloud.how-do-i-keep-an-icloud-folder-always-downloaded
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-keep-an-icloud-folder-always-downloaded
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "Online-only files and Optimize Mac Storage"
question: "How do I keep an iCloud Drive folder always downloaded on my Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "Keep Downloaded iCloud folder Mac"
  - "Stop macOS from removing my iCloud files"
  - "Pin iCloud folder offline"
  - "How do I stop a folder going online-only?"
  - "Always keep this iCloud file on my Mac"
  - "Prevent iCloud from evicting a folder"
short_answer: "Right-click the folder in Finder and choose Keep Downloaded (on recent macOS). In Storage Studio, the automatic cloud step is opt-in per provider, so you can leave iCloud Drive switched off in Preferences → Rules."
tags: ["icloud drive", "keep downloaded", "offline", "finder"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/can-i-open-online-only-icloud-files-without-internet", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-include-icloud-in-free-up-space"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I keep an iCloud Drive folder always downloaded on my Mac?

In recent versions of macOS, right-click the folder in Finder and choose **Keep Downloaded**. macOS then keeps that folder's files on your Mac even when it's freeing iCloud space.

If you use Storage Studio's optional **Optimise cloud storage locally** step (in **Preferences → Rules → Free Up Space includes**), it's switched on per provider, so you can leave iCloud Drive off there if you rely on local copies.

Bear in mind that **Run Tuhi** also has a step that frees large downloaded cloud files. If there's a folder you always want local, mark it **Keep Downloaded** in Finder so macOS keeps it on your Mac.