iCloud & iCloud Photos · Online-only files and Optimize Mac Storage
What's the difference between macOS Optimize Mac Storage and Storage Studio freeing cloud files?
Short answer: Both make iCloud files online-only. macOS's Optimize Mac Storage frees older files automatically when space runs low; Storage Studio frees large downloaded cloud files when you ask, with Run Tuhi, and reports what it saved.
Both make iCloud files online-only; the difference is who decides and when. Optimize Mac Storage is a macOS setting that frees older iCloud files on its own schedule, usually when space is already low. Storage Studio frees space when you ask — Run Tuhi frees large downloaded cloud files right away and tells you how much it saved.
- macOS's setting: automatic and gradual; you don't see what it freed.
- Storage Studio: on demand, with a report, and it covers your other cloud folders too.
They work well together. Keep Optimize Mac Storage on for everyday balance, and use Storage Studio when you need space back now — before a big download or a macOS update, for example.