iCloud & iCloud Photos · Troubleshooting iCloud space
Why did Optimize Cloud Storage free no space from iCloud Drive?
Short answer: From macOS 14, macOS no longer lets apps free a whole cloud folder this way, so the pass frees nothing. Use Run Tuhi, Storage Profile's Free up button, or Finder's Remove Download instead.
On a recent Mac the usual reason is macOS itself: from macOS 14 onwards, macOS no longer lets apps free a whole cloud folder through this kind of pass, so Optimize Cloud Storage frees nothing and points you to Finder's Remove Download. The other common reason is that your iCloud files were already online-only.
What to do instead:
- Tap Run Tuhi — its Keeping cloud files online-only step works on every supported macOS and frees large downloaded files.
- Use Free up next to an iCloud file in Storage Profile's Biggest space-users list.
- Right-click a folder in iCloud Drive in Finder and choose Remove Download.
Also check the space isn't in your Photos library, which is managed in Photos' own settings. See iCloud Photos and Mac space.