---
id: icloud.what-are-dot-icloud-files
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-are-dot-icloud-files
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "Online-only files and Optimize Mac Storage"
question: "What are the hidden .icloud files on my Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - ".icloud file extension Mac"
  - "Files ending in .icloud"
  - "Hidden icloud placeholder files"
  - "What is filename.icloud?"
  - "Can I delete .icloud files?"
short_answer: "On older macOS, an online-only iCloud file is shown on disk as a hidden placeholder ending in .icloud. It stands in for the real file until downloaded. Don't delete it — that can delete the file from iCloud."
tags: ["icloud drive", "placeholder", "online-only"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-does-online-only-mean-for-icloud-files", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/is-it-safe-to-delete-the-mobile-documents-folder"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What are the hidden .icloud files on my Mac?

On older versions of macOS, an online-only iCloud file was represented on disk by a small hidden placeholder whose name ended in **.icloud**. It stands in for the real file until you download it. Newer macOS versions show online-only files as normal items with a cloud icon instead.

Don't delete these placeholders to "clean up" — removing one can delete the real file from iCloud. To download the file, open it from iCloud Drive in Finder; to free space, use online-only features rather than deleting anything.