---
id: icloud.optimize-cloud-storage-freed-no-space
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/optimize-cloud-storage-freed-no-space
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "Troubleshooting iCloud space"
question: "Why did Optimize Cloud Storage free no space from iCloud Drive?"
alt_questions:
  - "Optimize iCloud freed 0 MB"
  - "Nothing to evict iCloud Drive"
  - "iCloud optimisation didn't free anything"
  - "Storage Studio says every iCloud file is already cloud-only"
  - "Free space didn't go up after optimizing iCloud"
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."
tags: ["optimize cloud storage", "troubleshooting", "icloud drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/which-icloud-files-are-skipped-when-making-them-online-only", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-reduce-the-space-icloud-photos-uses-on-my-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why did Optimize Cloud Storage free no space from iCloud Drive?

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](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-reduce-the-space-icloud-photos-uses-on-my-mac).